Aside from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Panaon Expedition also had to deal with the forces of nature. Let’s hear from Boat Manager Nori Tolibas how coordination with Oceana’s 24/7 Land Monitoring Team helped them brave all four storms during their journey. Can you tell us what your typical day is aboard M/V Discovery Palawan as the … Read more
While the science team was busy lugging their equipment for research, Marco Biemann’s weapon of choice was a video camera. Together with his team, their task was to film the entire expedition, especially underwater, and create a documentary that will allow others to see the beauty of Panaon Island. We talked to Marco to learn more about a filmmaker’s life … Read more
Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) was established in Belize in 1986 emerging from a need to take action and conserve coral reefs that were showing signs of degradation. With the Philippines located right in the heart of the Coral Triangle, this makes it a perfect project site for CCC. Tom Dallison, Head of Science, explains the reach and roots of CCC in Panaon Island. How did Coral … Read more
This article was written by Norberto Berida, Regional Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region VIII Great biodiversity is very important in the fisheries industry, both for fisheries and for human well-being. For the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, marine protected areas can define the baseline for impact evaluation of the covered … Read more
This article was written by Diovanie De Jesus, Oceana Campaign and Science Specialist. Imagine an upside-down jellyfish with its tentacles up to gather food from the water and its body inside a calcium carbonate exoskeleton—that’s a coral polyp. Living within it are microscopic algae, the zooxanthellae, which help provide food to the coral through photosynthesis. These coral … Read more
Planning an expedition under normal circumstance is hard enough in itself. But an expedition during a pandemic? No mean feat. Let’s talk to Dr. Edna De Castro, the expedition team’s doctor onboard and learn how meticulous planning kept the entire crew safe and healthy during their journey. How different is it to provide medical support to an expedition compared to … Read more
Hon. Shirlita Chong, Mayor of Liloan, Southern Leyte reveals their municipality’s initiatives to strengthen their MPAs. Can you tell us about the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in San Francisco? What can be found in these MPAs? The four marine protected areas of Liloan were established thru the collaborative efforts of the different agencies as well as stakeholders. NGOs, national, … Read more
Dive deep into the minds and hearts of our scientists on board MV Discovery Palawan. For our third issue, we are featuring the Expedition Team’s reef fish ecology and taxonomy expert, Kent Sorgon. Kent Elson Sorgon MSc Zoology, UP Los BañosMinor in Marine Science, UP Marine Science Institute What made you decide to become a marine scientist? … Read more
Off Liloan Port | A sleepy-looking cuttlefish (Sepia sp.) poses for a photo. © Oceana/Danny Ocampo
This article was written by Alvin Simon, Oceana Marine Scientist. We have lost half of the world’s coral reefs in the last 30 years. It is projected that in the next century, only about 10 percent of our coral reefs will survive if we do not put an end to unsustainable practices and overexploitation … Read more