MSU Gensan and MABIDA: Exploring Collaborative Frontiers in Marine Biodiversity Research

Written by Ralph Raleigh P. Dalig
Uploaded on Aug. 1, 2022

MSU Gensan and ABRAHAM Project 2 MABIDA looked forward to a collaboration.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - Representatives from the ABRAHAM Program visited the Mindanao State University - General Santos City last 01 August 2022 to present the Program Executive Brief.

The team, represented by Dr. Cleto L. Nañola, Jr., Program Leader of ABRAHAM, Mr. Leo Manuel Estaña, Project Leader of MABIDA, and researchers Maybelle A. Fortaleza (FishDive), Joemarie J. Lanutan (FishDive), Norjan Charls M. Cabanalan (MABIDA), Geomarie Anne S. Paredes (MABIDA), Ralph Raleigh P. Dalig (MABIDA), and Maria Joselle V. Luzon (MABIDA) were welcomed by Dr. Edna P. Guevarra, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension of MSU-GSC, together with her researchers and staff. The highlights of the meeting were the status of reef fishes on Sarangani Bay, the presentation of the two project components of the Program, and the invitation for scientific collaboration.

MABIDA, or Marine Biodiversity Database, aims to create a comprehensive database on Philippine reef fishes, specifically for the regions under the Celebes Sea and part of the Sulu Sea. MSU-Gensan, one of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Mindanao interested in marine biodiversity and resource management, would be a significant addition to the pool of local experts managing and contributing to the database.