ASEAN
Experts Meet
An ASEAN Regional
Centre for Biodiversity Conservation (ARCBC) meeting was held at Tagaytay
City, Philippines on February 7-10, 2001, which was actively participated
in by SUAKCREM Director and other scientists from Europe and Southeast Asia.
Representing the Philippines in the panel of experts,
Dr. Alcala participated in the 3rd meeting of the Scientific Experts’ Committee
(SEC) and 2nd Research Conference in presenting issues related to biodiversity.
He and his counterparts from six other ASEAN nations as well as representatives
from European Union countries evaluated research proposals for funding by
ARCBC.
A proposal from SUAKCREM on the effects of forest fragmentation
on the herpetofauna and mammals in southwestern Negros was finally approved
for a funding of two million pesos. this project should start as soon as funds
are released by ARCBC.
Visiting
Japanese Scientist Collaborates with SUAKCREM on Sea Snake (Emydocephalus
annulatus) Study
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The
sea snake (Emydocephalus annulatus) feeds strictly on fish
eggs. |
Dr. Hidetoshi
Ota and Gen Nagamasu of the Tropical Biosphere Research Center of the University
of Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan visited SUAKCREM from March 5-10,
2001.
The study of Dr. Ota aims to clarify the taxonomic status and genetic features
of the Philippine populations on the basis of two kinds of data, the quantitative
morphological analysis and genetic analysis of tissue samples. Results of
the study are expected to promote better understanding of the oceanography
of Philippine marine waters and to enhance appreciation of endemic biodiversity.
Dr. Alcala thinks Emydocephalus is a good indicator species for reef health.
In addition, its distribution can be used to predict the direction of currents
in a body of seawater.
SUAKCREM
Represented in Scientific Meetings
SUAKCREM Director
Dr. Angel C. Alcala participated in a consultation that focused on the preparation
of “A Plan Of Action for Donor Support to Biodiversity Conservation in Asia.”
Alcala’s participation was requested by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
A number of international and national Biodiversity experts were also invited
to the meeting held at the ADB headquarters, Manila. on March 20-21.
The consultation agenda was developed by ADB to reach a consensus as to how
best to integrate biodiversity conservation and development planning efforts
in order to improve the protection of biological resources in the country.
Alcala also attended the following scientific meetings organized by the Protected
Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR):
- Biological and Genetic Resources,
their By-products and derivatives for Scientific and Commercial Purposes.
- Philippine-Sabah Turtle Islands
Heritage Protected Area
- Philippine Crocodile Recovery
Team
SUAKCREM was also represented in
the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Regional Workshop for East Asia
and Coordination and Planning Committee (CPC) meeting at the Shangrila Hotel,
in Mactan Island, Cebu on April 2-6. Dr. Laurie Jeanne H. Raymundo and Aileen
P. Maypa attended the workshop and Director Angel C. Alcala participated in
the CPC meeting.
ICRI is an international program on coral reefs participated in by nations with
coral reefs and selected international NGOs. ICRI has an informal body, the
CPC, which plans its global program. The first meeting of this program was hosted
by the Philippines in Dumaguete City in May 1995. The present meeting was hosted
by the joint secretariat of the Philippines and Sweden housed in the DENR.
SUAKCREM agrees with the main recommendation of the workshop to establish more
marine protected areas, as this is its primary area of research.
The CPC has come up with many projects on coral reefs. The accomplishment of
these projects will depend for the most part on the secretariat at DENR. For
SUAKCREM, this implies that the right people should be assigned to the secretariat.
Among the apprehensions is whether DENR can do a good job. DENR should consider
the following activities:
- Training of more marine biologists
on its staff
- Source funding for coral reef
related projects
- Technical Skills Training
for preparation of reports and other scientific publications
Alcala also suggested
that government agencies should now think of active collaboration with academic
and research organizations engaged in coral reef research and conservation.
SU Hosts the 10th WCSP Meeting
Over 100 participants from different institutions both
from the Philippines and abroad attended the Wildlife Conservation Society
of the Philippines (WCSP) meeting held at Silliman University (SU) on April
2-5.
The theme of the meeting was “Biodiversity Research and
Management: Ten Years of Progress and Ten Years of New Challenges.” The 3-day
activity included the discussion of the status and progress of a number of
projects, which allowed all the participants to be informed of developments
in wildlife conservation in the country. Participants were also encouraged
to actively participate in conservation activities for the next 10 years.
At the end of presentations and discussions, major accomplishments
in research and protection of biodiversity were reviewed. Also, the program
of research and management for the next 10 years and sources of funding were
formulated. The Biology Department faculty, headed by Ms. Mirasol Magbanua,
actively organized the scientific meeting and sourced funding for the meeting.
The Foundation for the Philippine Environment, under Director Julio Galvez
Tan, providing the bulk of the funding for the meeting. 
