Silliman Social Scientist
Visit Selinog Island in Preparation for the SUAKCREM's PEW Program
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Silliman
Social scientists together with the SUAKCREM staff and some locals finally
arrived at Selinog Island after a rough trip. Dr. Betty Abregana introduced
the purpose of the team at a luncheon meeting with the barangay captain
(inset) and her council members. |
Silliman social scientists together with the SUAKCREM staff and some locals
finally arrived at Selinog Island after a rough trip. Dr. Betty Abregana introduced
the purpose of the team at a luncheon meeting with the barangay captain (inset)
and her council members. Dr. Betty Abregana, Merlinda Cepeda, and Ester Delfin,
together with SUAKCREM Staff, Vivien Cabanban and Jasper Maypa, visited Dapitan
City and Selinog Island on October 29-30 to consult with city officials and
the island community regarding marine conservation. They were assisted by
a Team from Dapitan City Mayor’s Office and Office of the City Agriculturist,
headed by Mr. Cyril Patangan. SUAKCREM serves as consultant to Mayor Ruiz’
coastal resource management program.
PEW Fellows Make Wave In
Marine Conservation Meeting
Dr. Angel C.
Alcala’s, of SUAKCREM and Dr. Garry Russ’, of James Cook University, Australia,
joint presentations on marine reserves on five islands in the Bohol Strait
and Mindanao (Bohol) Sea during the annual meeting held on Moloka-i Island,
Hawaii, on October 21-25, 1999 were well received by the nine of the eleven
1999 Pew Fellows, the 1997 and 1998 Fellows, the Trustees of Pew Trusts, and
the other invited marine scientists in the world. As a result of the well
received presentations, it was agreed that a program of mutual exchange for
manpower training be set up among the Mexican, Palauan and Philippine Pew
conservation programs under Dr. Roberto Andrade, Mr. Noah Indechong, and Drs.
Alcala and Russ, respectively. A proposal is being prepared for this collaborative
endeavor.
Welcome
Dr. Gary Russ!
Dr. Garry R.
Russ arrived in November 15, 1995 to work with the SUAKCREM Project. He has
been working with Dr. Alcala for the past 15 years. He is an associate professor
at the School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture in James Cook University.
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| Barna was
taken immediately to the Marine Laboratory upon arrival from Apo Island
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Silliman Marine Laboratory Nurses
Sick Hawksbill Turtle to Good Health
A sick female
hawksbill turtle captured by people on Apo Island on September 13, 1999
was brought to the Silliman
Marine Lab by Ms. Jeniffer Hanna, a Peace Corps Volunteer at Apo. Julieta
Luchavez, Dandy Catada and Dr. Greg Acuña (a veterinarian) of Marine Lab
nursed Barna (fondly called after the barnacles she was carrying on her
back) back to good health by feeding and treating the wounds on the carapace
which were apparently caused by barnacle infestation. While in the Lab,
Barna laid more than 100 eggs and the eggs were allowed to develop in sand.
Thanks to all those who helped save Barna’s life. Barna was released on
November 10, 1999 with a short ceremony at Malatapay, Dauin, Negros Oriental.
We are encouraging people to help our endangered marine turtles by protecting
nesting sites and rescuing sick animals.
Harvard University Scientists
Collaborate with Philippine PEW Program
Dr. Stephen
Palumbi of Harvard University and the Philippine Pew Program are working on
a proposal that will enable graduate and post-graduate students of Palumbi
to work with Alcala and Russ on problems related to connectivity of marine
reserves in the Indo-West Pacific region. The research will use genetic markers,
a novel approach to determining phylogenetic relations among island populations
of marine organisms. The research will focus on invertebrates that are widely
distributed in the area, such as sea uchins, giant clams, trochus, and fish.
Filipino graduate students are invited to take advantage of opportunities
for research on the important topic of connectivity of marine reserves.
Small Marine Reserve Established
Off Panaon, Misamis Occidental
Mr. Lemuel Alfeche and Mr. Ruel Lasagas, instructors at
Mindanao Polytechnic State College in Panaon, Misamis Occidental, established
a small coral reef reserve in cooperation with the municipal government of
Panaon, especially Mr. Gaspar Caylo, Chair of Environment Committee of the
town council. Mr. Caylo leads the campaign to establish marine reserves and
to stop destructive fishing methods, such as poisoning and dynamiting. Alfeche
and Lasagas work with Dr. Alcala and are conducting controlled observations
of the effect of reserves on fish and invertebrate populations.
The Center Acknowledges with
Great Appreciation the Following Officials of Silliman University for their
Roles In the Establishment of the Center.
- Mr. Angelo King,
a philantropist and co-founder, for giving his endowment support for the
Center;
- Colonel Roman T. Yap,
Emeritus Chair of the Silliman Board of Trustees, for vigorously pushing
the creation of the Center;
- Mr. Fred Dael,
Chair of the Silliman Board, and Dr. Agustin Pulido for inviting A.C. Alcala
back to Silliman to head the Center and to advise the University on research
matters;
- Dr. Mariano Pimentel
Jr. for establishing a scholarship fund for graduate students in
marine biology (include a color picture of him; get a copy from the Aumni
Office)
Taken
during the 98th SU Founders Day at Bethel Guest House. Dr. Mariano Pimentel
Jr. (left) and SU President, Dr. Agustin Pulido.
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Mariano
Pimentel Jr., 1931 - 1999. We regret to announce the death of Dr. Pimentel
on October 13, 1999 after a month-long illness at St. Luke’s hospital, Quezon
City. He was 68 years old. Dr. Pimentel, a 1975 Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee,
served until retirement with the U.S. Department of Interior. We will miss
him. 
