Photo taken by Joemarie Lanutan and Jose Amor Oño
FishDive Project Conducts Courtesy Visit to Regional BFAR Offices in Koronadal and General Santos
Written by Maybelle A. Fortaleza
Uploaded on Aug. 25, 2022
The research team of FishDive Project conducted a courtesy visit to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region XII Office in Koronadal City and in BFAR XII Regional Fisheries Laboratory in General Santos City to introduce and discuss the training and capacity building activities offered through the ABRAHAM-FishDive Project.
Fishing Regulations Officer II Paul Benedict Gepte welcomed the research team and expressed their interest in the training modules presented. The research team also visited the BFAR XII Regional Fisheries Laboratory in General Santos City where the lab facilities are stationed. Ma’am Eugene Gay Jamora, the Laboratory Manager of BFAR XII RFL received copies of the training modules and gave an overview of the facilities and services they currently offer. The BFAR XII RFL expressed their interest in conducting training on DNA barcoding, which the CRREST Laboratory has been offering since 2019.
Earlier this month, Dr. Cleto L. Nañola, Jr. and Assistant Regional Director Omar M. Sabal, RFT met at the 5th PAMB-SBPS Executive Committee Meeting where the latter expressed his interest in the same training modules presented to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (DENR-PAMO-SBPS).
The CRREST Laboratory through the #FishDiveProject is looking forward to working with the government agencies in Region 12 to contribute to the increase in scientific capability, particularly in the interest of supporting the implementation of the Fisheries Management Area 3.
Other Articles
MABIDA at NSTW: Showcasing Project Outputs
PASAY CITY - The Marine Biodiversity Database (MABIDA) Project participated during the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) Exhibit organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) last 23-27 November 2022 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, Metro Manila. With the theme: “Agham at Teknolohiya: Kabalikat sa Maunlad at Matatag na Kinabukasan,” NSTW returns to a face-to-face setup after holding the celebration in a virtual format for two years, aiming to bring Science, Technology, and Innovations closer to the people. The project, represented by Mr. Leo Manuel B. Estaña, Project Leader of MABIDA, and researchers Norjan Charls M. Cabanalan, Geomarie Anne S. Paredes, and Ralph Raleigh P. Dalig, were present as exhibitors during the week-long event. The exhibit featured the two project components of the ABRAHAM Program, samples of 3D-printed reef fishes for the fish museum, and the Marine Biodiversity Database, which is continuously being improved and developed. DOST-PCAARRD, the monitoring agency of the ABRAHAM Program, invited the MABIDA Project, along with other projects, to showcase the current development and outputs of these government-funded projects that are aimed at the advancement of Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources management in the country. Other agencies of DOST were also present to exhibit the research and development (R&D) outputs, as well as innovative products and services developed.
Hands-on Training on Capillary Sequencing with PGC Mindanao
Two researchers of CRREST Laboratory, Ms. Joemarie Lanutan and Mr. Kevin Labrador, underwent hands-on training on capillary sequencing conducted by the Philippine Genome Center Mindanao last 18 November 2022. The training introduced concepts and techniques that feed towards the DNA barcoding capabilities of CRREST. Services offered by PGC Mindanao and how these can be utilized by CRREST and its partners were also discussed. The partnership between CRREST and PGC Mindanao was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding through the FishDive Project of the DOST-funded ABRAHAM Program. Linked by common scientific interests to improve the state of omics research in Mindanao, both parties aim to cooperate and exchange ideas on the application of omics to study the marine biodiversity of the region.
