UNFURLING NETS OF KNOWLEDGE JRMSU President Participates in the Inaugural PSSFN 1 Symposium

Recognized as one of the most reputable marine biologists, the incumbent JRMSU President, Dr. Maria Rio Abdon Naguit, made waves as she presented her research output during the first Philippine Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium (PSSFN 1) held at the University of the Philippines Visayas, Iloilo Campus, Iloilo City, October 16-18.

Aligning with the symposium’s theme “Small-scale Fisheries in the Philippines are Too-Big-To-Ignore”, Dr. Naguit’s research efforts on “SPECIES COMPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FISH FRY AND JUVENILE FISHES ALONG THE COAST OF ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE” emphasizes the crucial need to monitor fish fry populations and understand their dynamics in view of effective fisheries management and conservation. It suggests diversifying the income sources of local communities through alternative strategies to lessen dependence on sardine fry collection.

The three-day symposium, organized by the National Consortium for Small-Scale Fisheries Research and Development aka Too-Big-To-Ignore (TBTI Philippines), gathered a diverse group of scientists, researchers, fishers, artists, practitioners, managers, LGU representatives, policymakers, students, advocates, civic organizations, non-government organizations, advocacy groups, media, artists, and experts from all over 44 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) who are members of the TBTI Philippines to discuss sustainable practices and policy recommendations for small-scale fisheries in the Philippines.

Dr. Naguit expressed her gratitude to DOST-PCAARRD for this opportunity to work on this project involving sardines and other SPF fry fisheries, together with her dedicated research team.