Advanced Online Publication

Status of Sea Cucumber Fisheries in Mindanao Harnessing Local Knowledge in Determining Diversity and Production Values

Elgen M. Arriesgado, Marnelle B. Sornito*, Asuncion B. De Guzman, Josuah D. Zalsos, Jomar F. Besoña, Leemarc C. Alia, Flordeline A. Cadeliña, Maria Lyn Magcanta-Mortos, Wilfredo H. Uy

Sea cucumber fishery is a significant livelihood in the Philippines; however, overexploitation and inadequate management programs resulted in the decline of various sea cucumber species.

Correlation of Chlorophyll-a and Dissolved Oxygen in the Phytoplankton Abundance in Leyte Gulf, Philippines

Jennifer S. Salonga*, Christian F. Gino, Dixcen G. Galve, Evangeline S. Sapul, Jonneil S. Leyson, Darlyn Grace Y. Camu, Roger T. Fortaliza, Claribel B. Salazar

Leyte Gulf is an important fishing ground in the Philippines that serves as a livelihood and food source for many coastal communities.

Updates on Identification and Distribution of the River Mullet “Ludong” in Northern Philippines

Vanessa Mae C. Escaño, Jade Tiffany S. Rey, Evelyn C. Ame, Rosario Segundina Gaerlan, Mary Tauli, Mudjekeewis D. Santos*

“Ludong”, also known as the president’s fish, is a river mullet known to be found in Cagayan River, Northern Philippines. Unfortunately, this species has been heavily exploited over the years. As a conservation measure, the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) issued the BFAR Administrative Circular (BAC) 247 of 2013, declaring a closed fishing season for “ludong” during its spawning from October 1 to November 15.

MPA-FishMApp – A Citizen Science App That Simplifies Monitoring of Coral Reef Fish Density and Biomass in Marine Protected Areas

Rene A. Abesamis*, Rodel Balingit, Romulo de Castro, Raphael Nelo Aguila, Maryjune Cabiguin, Julius Villagracia, Marynoll Susmeña, Mario Neil T. Montemar, Antonio Yocor

Monitoring changes in fish density and biomass inside marine protected areas (MPAs) through fish visual census (FVC) can determine if MPAs are achieving their goal of promoting fish population recovery. Simplified FVC methods have been developed for citizen scientists to enable them to monitor fish populations in MPAs.

Age, Growth, and Population Structure of Conomurex luhunuas

Katherine P. Sanchez-Escalona*, and Porfirio A. Aliño

Age and growth dynamics of Conomurex luhunuas were investigated to determine the population structure. Age-specific change in shell shape determined with geometric morphometrics revealed discrimination of shape between 0-3 years old at 99–100% while 3–4 years old can be separated with 81% certainty.

A Study on Postharvest Losses in Fisheries Owing to Changes in Market Supply and Demand in the Philippines

Gezelle C. Tadifa, Riza Jane S. Banicod, Deserie M. Peralta, Charlotte Ann M. Ramos, Ulysses M. Montojo*

Market patterns and conditions can affect the economic value of fishery commodities; hence, they can contribute to postharvest losses. This paper primarily aims to provide information on the magnitude of losses incurred from changes in market supply and demand of economically important fishery commodities.

Deployment of Artificial Habitats Alone Cannot Make up for the Degradation of Coral Reefs

Sandra Enn D. Bahinting, Thea Philea I. Mostrales*, Alexis S. Principe, Wilfredo Y. Licuanan

Key Points:

• Artificial habitat projects are expensive endeavors that should be carefully designed and planned to be sustainable and effective.
• Artificial habitats must be implemented with other fisheries enhancement and management measures and be monitored to allow for future improvements in site selection criteria and design.
• Coral reef rehabilitation is much more expensive than protection.
• Given the considerable cost and effort involved, artificial habitat deployments are justified in only a few situations. The lessons shared in this brief contain recommendations for the review and amendment of the joint memorandum concerning the use and management of artificial reefs.

Harmful Jellyfishes are Manageable

Francis Xavier D. Verdadero*, Wilfredo Y. Licuanan, Julia Louise Ang, Berlin de los Santos Jr., Ephrime B. Metillo

Key Points:

• Very little is known about harmful jellyfish species in the Philippines, much less about their impacts on society (e.g., fishing and tourism sectors, local community).
• The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Departments of Health (DOH) and Tourism (DOT) together with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), other research institutions and academe, should conduct more research related to harmful jellyfish species to address the paucity in information.
• To reduce injuries and deaths resulting from harmful jellyfish envenomation, DA, DENR, DOH, and DOT, and their counterparts in local governments must strengthen their information and education campaigns, preventive measures, emergency response, and treatment of jellyfish-related injuries and stings.
• DA-BFAR should monitor box and other harmful jellyfishes in collaboration with the local governments with high coastal tourism traffic. This monitoring should be made participatory in high tourism-traffic areas, involving members of the public, the fisheries, tourism, and health sectors of the local governments in coordination with local academic institutions.
• DA-BFAR and DENR should also maintain a publicly available database of jellyfish envenomation dates, times, and locations. Health workers and law enforcement officials should be taught to recognize the stings and record casualties for the DA-BFAR and DENR databases. This database and monitoring could be the basis for a national risk map and calendar and, eventually, an advisory and warning system.

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