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
Hon. Roy Y. Salinas, Mayor of San Ricardo, Southern Leyte reveals their municipality’s initiatives to strengthen their MPAs. Can you tell us about the Benit-Timba MPA? What can be found in this MPA? Benit-Timba MPA was established in 1996 through an initiative of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ Fishery Sector Program. It was managed by … Read more
Hon. Rustico Estrella Sr., Mayor of Pintuyan, Southern Leyte reveals their municipality’s initiatives to strengthen their MPAs. Can you tell us about the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Pintuyan? What can be found in these MPAs? Pintuyan has six MPAs and two marine reserves. These are situated in the following coastal barangays, namely: Nueva Estrella Norte – Nueva Estrella Norte MPA/MR (total area: … Read more
Hon. Fe G. Maruhom, Mayor of San Francisco, 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? San Francisco currently has three MPAs, as follows: Napantao MPA This was established in the 1990s after Mr. Rio Cahimbing discovered the famous “Rio’s Wall” which … Read more
October 30 Today is a milestone for the expedition as we finally managed to visit and survey all the locally managed MPAs in Panaon Island. Our general impression is that the MPAs are functioning as areas where fish and other marine life are protected which help adjacent and nearby areas in regenerating fish, corals, and other marine life. There are … Read more