Ms. Irma Destura Research assistant of Genetic Fingerprinting Laboratory (GFL) conducted a training on Fish Catch Data Gathering under the Fish Forecasting Utility System (FISH4US) project last February 21, 2012. The training includes the hiring of local fisheries graduates. They were aided with proper handling of GPS and on board testing trial using commercial fishing vessels. Alaminos, Pangasinan was chosen as the venue for the said event. Data that were gathered were used to make statistical models and fish resource locator system based on satellite imagery.
The participants of the training were composed of 10 local hires. Lecturers and speakers includes Ms Eunice Bognot from NFRDI, for fish identification, Ms. Margie Parinas from University of the Philippines Diliman, for the Introduction to the Research topic entitled “Identifying essential fish habitat for epipelagic fishes using MODIS data for Ilocos Region, Philippines and Introduction for Global Positioning Device and Remote Sensing”, Ms. Rosario Segundina Gaerlan for the Status of Fisheries Resources in the Philippines and Ms. Irma Destura to facilitate the said event. The first day was allotted for the preparation for the training. A short briefing for the participants was given by Mr Francis Greg Buccat, NSAP leader. The second day of training was started with a welcome remark addressed to the participants given by Ms Gaerlan. After the lecture, participants were asked to go outside to learn the actual GPS handling techniques. Each participants were given a GPS unit, they were taught of proper GPS handling like battery loading and data gathering using each model/unit of GPS. The spatial data sheet and NSAP forms were also distributed among the participants to learn the proper filling up of NSAP forms. The third day of the training was intended for the on board trial of the participants. The participants travelled to Dagupan City for the actual on board activity. At Dagupan Fish Health laboratory, instructions were given for the on board activity. The training was ended by assessing the performance of the local trainee for the duration of the whole event.
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Here's an excerpt from the news article published on April 15, 2012:
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is now capable of DNA fingerprinting for fisheries which is critical in food safety and in ensuring that global markets can trace the origin of fishery products. The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) is now utilizing DNA barcoding to reveal the genetic material of fish species. The country’s capability in ensuring fishery food safety and supply traceability is critical for the fishery sector. The Philippines is considered sixth in world fishery production, ninth in aquaculture, and third in aquatic plant production, primarily seaweeds. Without accurate identification of fish species through DNA barcoding, mislabeling of fishery species may occur. Consumers may be misled into paying more than the actual value of goods they are buying, according to NFRDI’s Benedict A. Maralit and five co-authors in their entry at the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR)-National Research Symposium (NRS). Read more of the article at http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=797063 Last April 8, 2012 Scientist I and head of Genetic Fingerprinting Laboratory Mudjekeewis D. Santos, Ph.D. went to Manado, Indonesia and Kota Kinabalu Sabbah Malaysia to collect pelagic fish samples and conduct a tissue collection training under the United Nations Development Program – Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF) Sustainable Fisheries Management (SFM) Project entitled “Genetic Stock Structure of Some Commercially Important Small Pelagics. Activities at Manado, Indonesia were done through the collaboration with Dr. Suwarso of the Research Institute of Marine Fisheries (RIMF). Dr. Santos went to the Manado Landing sites to collect samples of pelagic fishes. Unfortunately landing activities were not seen during that time. Local fish market called “Pasar Bersehati were chosen as an alternative sampling site. Dr. Santos were able to collect pelagic fishes which includes adult and juvenile Bali sardines (Sardinella lemuru), Bigeyed Scad (Selar crumenophthalmus) and Frigante Tuna (Auxis thazard). Tissue samples were collected and archived based on the standard protocol of the GFL. Sampling activities at Kota Kinabalu Sabbah Malaysia were done through the participation of Mr. Irman Isnain of Department of Fisheries, Fisheries Research Center (FRC). Two sampling sites were considered in this trip the Pasar Ikan Kota Kinabalu (Kota Kinabalu Fish Landing and Market) and Pasar Ikan Kudat (Kudat Fish Landing and Market). Dr. Santos was able to collect same species as mentioned above with the addition of Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) and Goldstriped sardine (Sardinella gibbosa). Doc Mudjie also conducted a hands-on-training to Mr. Isnain and Mr. Derisa of FRC on tissue collection and preservation as they also helped out in the processing of samples. He also delivered a one hour lecture on the various research activities being undertaken by the GFL on using DNA for fisheries management and aquaculture to the members of the Fisheries Research Center of the Department of Fisheries Sabah.
In conclusion, Doc Mudjie said that “Sampling and training activity was generally successful as most of the fish samples that were targeted for collection following the approved proposal under the UNDP-GEF SCS SFM Project were secured and brought to the GFL in the Philippines. Likewise, a number of people have been trained hands-on and were informed of the existing projects of GFL. This was made possible by the concerted effort and support of the implementers of the SCS SFM Project in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines”. He also added that “It is recommended that the Philippines through BFAR-NFRDI continues to support the on-going implementation of the Sub-Committee on Sustainable Fisheries project entitled UNDP/GEF Sulu Celebes Seas Sustainable Fisheries Management (SCS SFM) Project as this directly feeds to the Comprehensive Action Plan of the Tri-National Committee to ensure the sustainability and security of the marine resources in the Sulu-Sulawesi Large Marine Ecoregion”. |
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