Visayas-Regional Scientific Meeting: Attaining Sustainable Development Goals: Philippine Fisheries and Other Aquatic Resources 20/20
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In line with the thrust of the Duterte administration, NAST PHL will conduct Regional Scientific Meetings in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. For Visayas, NAST PHL has held the two-day Regional Scientific Meeting (RSM) in Cebu City on April 18-19, 2017. This was in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Visayas Cluster (Region VI, VII, VIII, NIR).
Secretary Fortunato de la Peña of the DOST gave the opening message, followed by NAST Acting President Academician (Acd.) Fabian M. Dayrit who delivered the message from NAST and the objectives of the RSM. Congressman Erico Artistotle C. Aumentado, Chairperson of the Committee of Science and Technology of the Congress and Representative of Bohol 2nd District was the keynote speaker.
Acd. Rhodora V. Azanza focused on the past, present and what is next in seaweeds culture. She delivered a brief background on culturing seaweeds all over the worlds and also some data on the major producing regions of seaweeds in the Philippines. Dr. Maximo A. Ricohermoso also continued in discussing about seaweed culture and how it has been the livelihood source of Philippines fisherfolk today.
Dr. Mudjekeewis D. Santos (OYS) 2011 and Dr. Danilo B. Largo (OYS) 1999, discussed an analysis of Fishery Harvest and Mariculture. Dr. Santos presented on protected spawning areas and impact of land reclamation of Fisheries while Dr. Largo presented on Integrated Mariculture; development of Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) for tropical species in Southern Cebu, Philippines.
Academician Leonardo Q. Liongson, 68
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Academician (Acd.) Leonardo Q. Liongson, a renowned Filipino expert in the field of hydrology, hydraulics and water resources engineering and management, flood control, lahar flow control and disaster mitigation joined his creator on April 5, 2017 at the age of 68.
The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST, PHL), the country’s highest recognition and advisory body on issues concerning science and technology, joins the scientific community in mourning the demise of Acd. Liongson.
He has done most of his work in National Hydraulic Research Center (NHRC) projects for infrastructure development or for engineering operations. A very passionate man, his works made an impact not only on the local science and technology community but had made substantial benefits on Philippine society.
Acd. Liongson has done scholarly work in mathematics and computer modelling of fluid flow,written software for water resources management, built a database of groundwater resources for Metro Manila and the Laguna Lake basin, and studied historical aspects of Manila’s drainage system and the country’s physical infrastructure.
NAST PHL Concludes the First Leg of the Regional Scientific Meeting in Mindanao
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In line with the Duterte Administration’s thrust of bringing science initiative to the regions, the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Mindanao Cluster, in cooperation with the Mindanao Business Council, conducted a two-day Regional Scientific Meeting (RSM) at the SMX Convention Center, Davao City, Davao del Sur, last March 13-14, 2017. This event was participated by the six (6) regions in Mindanao (Regions IX, X, XI, XII, CARAGA and ARMM).
With the overarching theme, “Attaining Sustainable Development Goals: Philippine Fisheries and Other Aquatic Resources 20/20”, Mindanao RSM is the first of the three regional scientific meetings of NAST and DOST Clusters, in preparation for the 39th Annual Scientific Meeting on July 12-13, 2017.
The two-day Regional Scientific Meeting is divided into four (4) plenary sessions, one (1) dialogue, and one (1) science legislative forum wherein experts shared their insights and experiences.
Topics discussed: (1) sustainable sardine production, (2) current status of the Philippine seaweed industry, (3) fisheries ecosystem, (4) fishing boats, (5) waste management in tuna and sardines canning and processing industry, and blue economy.
Dr. Cesar L. Villanoy, a professor at the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, presented the factors affecting the fluctuation of sardine abundance, such as upwelling, upwelling, circulation, sea temperature, El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), monsoons, rainfall, river discharge, overfishing, industry demand, management policies, industry demands, food availability, predation, and regime shift.
Mr. Alfredo Pedrosa III, president of the Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines, discussed extensively the current status and issues faced by the Philippine Seaweed Industry. According to him, Philippine Seaweed Industry stands as major component of aquaculture in the fisheries sector contributing to about 50% of annual national fishery production, of which 70% comes from seaweeds principally the kappaphycus and eucheuma species, the main source of carrageenan.