NOVEMBER 2007 www.seafdec.org.ph AQDAQDAQD Matters In-house newsletter of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department, Tigbauan, Iloilo
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ th AQD hosts his year’s 30 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Group on Fisheries. It also ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Division Head, briefed the TTProgram Committee reviewed and endorsed visiting group. Dr. Joebert back-to-back Meeting (PCM) was held the progress and Toledo, AQD Chief, was back-to-back with the 10th achievements of programs also on hand. SEAFDEC ASEAN-SEAFDEC under the FCG Mechanism meetings Fisheries Consultative in 2007 and the proposed FCG cites AQD’s achievements Group (FCG) Meeting at the programs for 2008. and contributions in SEA. Amigo Terrace Hotel in Other issues discussed Much is expected from Iloilo City from November were the status of the aquaculture in terms of 26-30. ASEAN-SEAFDEC addressing the region’s
○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Forty-seven Strategic Partnerships, the food security agenda. representatives from the progress in the AQD, has, for several ASEAN and SEAFDEC implementation of the years, been assisting the Member Countries (except Code of Conduct for Member Countries achieve Lao PDR) as well as the Responsible Fisheries, the their Millennium SEAFDEC Departments and initiatives of SEAFDEC on Development Goals the Secretariat attended. international fisheries- through responsible The 30th PCM reviewed related issues and the aquaculture. AQD’s main the results of programs progress and policy contributions in the region implementated in 2007 and recommendations derived are the science-based endorsed the proposed from the implementation of technologies for breeding, programs for 2008. It also the 2-year program on seed production and grow- ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ deliberated and adopted Sustainable Fisheries out rearing of fishes, the establishment of the Development in the BIMP- shrimps, mud crabs, Regional Scientific EAGA (Brunei mollusks, and seaweeds. Advisory Committee Darussalam-Indonesia- A video recently (RSAC) for Fisheries Malaysia-Philippines-East prepared by the AQD’s Management in Southeast Asia Growth Area) Region Training and Information Asia. with support from the Division entitled “AQD Similarly, the 10th FCG ASEAN Foundation. Magic” which documents Meeting discussed the Apart from the the contributions of the follow-up actions to the meetings, the participants Department over the years, directives given during the had the opportunity to was presented at the last meeting of the tour AQD’s Tigbauan November 30 Plenary SEAFDEC Council and the Main Station. Dr. Evelyn Session of the 10th FCG Meeting. Delegates viewed
I. TENDENCIA ASEAN Sectoral Working de Jesus- Ayson, Research ○○○○○○○○
The 10th FCG and the visit to ○○○○ AQD’s main station (above), and the 30th PCM (at left) the 8-minute video and had achievements and the the region. Congratulations a glimpse of what AQD is many significant were extended to all AQD all about. contributions for staff for their laudable The Meeting expressed development of efforts. appreciation to AQD for its sustainable aquaculture in - By BELEN ACOSTA
Gentlemen on the left (from left): Dr. AC Emata, Mr. Nguyen (also at the grouper hatchery below, right), Dr. JD Toledo, Dr. H Ogata, Dr. Nanami, Dr. Yamada, Dr. Yoseda; Dr. Ogata gives a brief on GOJ-TF; Dr. Emata and Dr. Jurgenne Primavera seek clarification ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ quaculture and SEAFDEC Technical ○○○○ Denny Chavez , now with AAstock enhancement Supporting Group in INVE Asia Services, can help countries achieve Japan; and the GOJ-Trust discussed rabbitfish. food security and Fund at AQD. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The second session on sustainability,” said Dr. The first session on crustaceans, mollusks and Hiroshi Ogata, Deputy fishes started with the echinoderms had the Chief and Manager of the presentation of AQD’s Dr. following speakers from Goverment of Japan Trust Evelyn Grace DJ Ayson on AQD: (1) Dr. Emilia Fund (GOJ-TF) at AQD, as the Marine fish seed Quinitio on Advances and ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ he welcomed participants production technologies constraints in mud crab Stock to the Seminar-workshop developed at AQD. aquaculture; (2) Dr. Ma. on stock enhancement and She was followed by Junemie Hazel Lebata- enhancement aquaculture of tropical Dr. Josefa Tan-Fermin who Ramos on Stock species. talked on seahorses. enhancement of mud and aquaculture “There is, however, a Dr. Kenzo Yoseda of crabs; (3) Dr. Dolores lot more work that still the Ishigaki Tropical Parado-Estepa on discussed needs to be done,” AQD Station, Seika National Aquaculture of tiger Chief Dr. Joebert Toledo Fisheries Research shrimp in the Philippines; added. He summarized Institute of Japan was next. (4) Dr. Ma. Rowena these as: (1) studies on the He introduced the on- Romana-Eguia on retrieval and behavioral going projects at his Freshwater prawn aspects of the species to station and a case study research at AQD; and (5) be released; (2) studies on on improving larval Mr. Armando Fermin on the genetic biodiversity survival of groupers. Donkey’s ear abalone and reduction of Dr. Yoseda’s hatchery, aquaculture and reproductive capability of colleagues, Dr. Hideaki searanching. species once released; (3) Yamada and Dr. Atsushi Mr. Nguyen Dinh economics; and (4) Nanami , then discussed Quang Duy, Deputy Chief involvement of approaches to effective of RIA-3 in Vietnam, lastly communities and other stocking based on survival spoke on the Status of partners on stock data of the black-spot sandfish Holothuria scabra enhancement. turkfish Choerodon culture in Vietnam. The workshop was held shoenleinlii (Labridae). The third session was November 22 at AQD’s Former AQD on AQD’s initiatives on main station in Iloilo, and researchers also made building capacities of local was supported by the presentations: Dr. Arnil institutions for sustainable Fisheries Research Agency Emata, now a milkfish aquaculture, and this was of Japan, Research consultant at BFAR, talked presented by Mr. Renato Institute for Aquaculture on breeding the mangrove Agbayani, Head of AQD’s No. 3 (RIA3) of Vietnam; red snapper; while Mr. Training & Information 2 AQD Matters November 2007 Division. Trainees and students ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ AQD conducts ixteen participants ○○○○○○○ These two are diseases The training training in Vietnam SS(11 females, 5 males) threatening Vietnam’s instructors included Dr. on KHV and SVC attended the hands-on lucrative freshwater Gilda Lio-Po, Head of training on the detection of ornamental industry. With AQD’s Fish Health KHV (koi herpes virus) and outbreaks noted in the Section; Dr. Edgar Amar, SVC (spring viremia of ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ USA and in some EU also of AQD; Dr. Ly Tih carp) conducted by AQD member countries, health Thanh Loan, Ms. Nguyen in Vietnam from 27 August certifications are now Ngoc Du, Mr. Cao Thanh 2007 to 5 September 2007. required, including a two- Truong and Ms. Nguyen The training is a year record of absence of Viet Dung of RIA-2. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ collaboration between SVCV and KHV in the They and the AQD and the National exporting country. Such participants also went on a View more photos at the Fisheries Quality certifications are based on field trip to a koi grow-out AQD website www.seafdec.org.ph. Photos courtesy of Dr GD Lio-Po Assurance and Veterinary diagnostic tests that use pond in Hoyen Binh Directorate (NAFIQAVED) cell culture, Polymerase Chanh, Ho Chi Minh City. of Vietnam’s Ministry of Chain Reaction (PCR), They collected, dissected Fisheries, and partly Reverse Transcriptase PCR and processed 153 live funded by the Government (RT-PCR) and others. This samples of apparently of Japan Trust Fund’s fish means the need for healthy carp samples as disease project. NAVIQAVED to set up part of the practicals. Why KHV and SVC? virus diagnostic - FROM THE REPORT OF GD LIO-PO capabilities.
Training sessions MUDCRAB @ N.SAMAR of the ICD-SA project eventeen guard, and fishery officers, AQD team was also able to for Filipinos SSparticipants attended all aiming to make mudcrab assess a proposed crab the second phase of the culture a lucrative source nursery site and monitor Northern Samar season- of income. the construction of long training course on They learned much another; gather collection Mudcrab culture. from the lectures and data on crabs and other Focusing on stock discussions with AQD’s species; and met with the assessment, the training Dr. Emilia Quinitio and Ms. Vice-Mayor of Rosario,
was held November 6 to 9 Didi Baticados. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Mayor of Pambujan, and (6 & 8 for the lectures- The AQD staff were the project’s site managers. discussions; and 7 & 9 for joined by Ms. Joelyn Biag The Northern Samar the hands-on sessions) at and Ms. Buenafe mudcrab project is under the Catarman campus of Dongoyan of MODE, Mr. the umbrella of ICD-SA, or the University of Eastern Pepe Lutao of BFAR, Ms. the Institutional capacity Philippines, and then at the Sheilah Vergara of CATP, development for Municipality of Rosario. and Ms. Tess Ecamina & sustainable aquaculture Among those who Mr. Rafael Vista of ACE. project. Mr. RF Agbayani attended were fishers, a They represent AQD’s heads the team. ICD-SA program partners. seeks to transfer RF BOMBEO coconut farmer, a housewife, a security In-between and after appropriate technologies the training dates, the and fishery resources management techniques. -FROM THE REPORT OF RF BOMBEO On their way to the site in Rosario where the trainees can practice stock assessment techniques; Dr. ET Quinitio shows off a small device for crab collection; and a child sets out to collect crab
November 2007 AQD Matters 3 CATFISH-TILAPIA @ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ MILKFISH @ Vet students, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ CAPIZ GUIMARAS an analyst, and hirty-six farmers wenty-seven two technicians TTaged 25-74 years old TT participants (26 men, 10 women) from 9 continued on to the barangays in Dumarao second phase of Milkfish STUDENTS FROM AKLAN came to attend the first cage culture, a season- welve veterinary phase of Freshwater long training course for TTmedicine students aquaculture. oilspill affected families in from the Aklan State The season-long Guimaras. University spent 10 days training course is an Funded by Petron (beginning November 5) at offering of the ICD-SA Foundation Inc, the AQD familiarizing project in Capiz funded by second phase is a hands- themselves with fish the provincial government. on module on stock health. The first session was held ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ sampling, water quality, They were introduced November 14-15. feed formulation and to disease development in The trainees listened to preparation and cage aquaculture and diseases the how-tos of tilapia and maintenance. It was of crustaceans by Dr. Celia catfish culture from AQD’s conducted 16-17 Pitogo and to diseases of Mr. Armando Fermin, Engr. November at AQD’s Igang fishes by Dr. Edgar Amar. RR PAGADOR Emilio Aralar, and Mr. Ruel Marine Station. The vet students also Eguia. They also learned The participants studied modules on the concepts of represented four viruses, fungi, and fish community-based barangays in Nueva parasites; and did practical aquaculture from Mr. RF Valencia: Igang , Magamay, work on monitoring shrimp Agbayani. San Antonio, and Sto. larvae, preparing sterile Under Mr. Joel Gaitan, Domingo. media and other materials, also of AQD, the trainees The resource persons isolating and counting Elements of a working cage constructed 6 units of from AQD included Mr. bacteria, and sending culture technology (top to floating cages (4 x 4 x 1.5 Albert Gaitan, Dr. Relicardo samples for diagnosis. bottom): securely-sewn net m) for tilapia, catfish and Coloso, and Engr. Nelson AQD’s fish health staff cage, strong bamboo support, freshwater prawn. also demonstrated the PCR quality seedstock, and the Golez. Also present was how-tos of culture as taught by As the phase 1 session Mr. Jess Borci of the methods to detect viruses, experts finale, the trainees stocked Philippine Business for electron microscopy, and their cages with 3,000 Social Progress (PBSP). slide preparation. pieces of tilapia, 3,000 -FROM THE REPORT OF CV GENZOLA The soon-to-be vets prawn and 650 catfish. viewed videos and spent The next (phase 2) time at the AQD library. session is scheduled for December 4-5, also at the ANALYST FROM SIQUIJOR NIA Bunkhouse in Codingle, Dumarao. laboratory analyst ~ Ms. Judy Buerom -FROM THE REPORT OF RR PAGADOR AA ~ from Aqua Cards Inc in Siquijor underwent a 4-day In Igang, Dr. RM Coloso emphasis a point in feeding management (“never overfeed the stock; special training on the it’s costly and it’s polluting”); the participants listen intently and relax after a lecture. Of the original detection of white spot 30 who attended the phase 1 module, three were not able to make it to phase 2 syndrome virus using PCR. This was from 20 to 23 November, and mostly handled by Dr. Leobert de la Pena with the assistance of Mr. Geimbo Capulos. Ms. Buerom’s training was sponsored by VTI-RSY of
CV GENZOLA Bacolod. -FROM THE REPORT OF CV GENZOLA 4 AQD Matters November 2007 New client for ABOT s. Betty Lua (shaking hands with AQD Chief MM Dr. JD Toledo above) and Mr. Fortunato Sanchez Jr are the new clients of AQD in the Agree- Build-Operate-Transfer (ABOT) AquaNegosyo program. Their agreement with AQD was signed November 23 at AQD’s Tigbauan Main Station in Iloilo. The clients hail from Cebu, and would like to develop their aquaculture enterprises further. Their interests? Milkfish culture, seabass nursery and grow-out, biosecure tiger shrimp culture, mudcrab culture, and seaweed pond culture. For the technical assistance it will extend, AQD expects to get 8% of the client’s net income after Ms. Buerom learns to detect WSSV using PCR (top) while the vet each cropping, for a maximum 3 crops a year. This students from Aklan pay attention to Ms. Thesa Billena’s money will help fund AQD’s research & orientation on electron microscopy and Mr. Demy Catedral’s demonstration of fish disease detection development programs.
TECHNICIANS FROM MALABON CITY Guests and visitors ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
wo undertook a ○○○○○○○○○○○○ FROM WUXI, CHINA sex control; (3) genetic (5) water treatment of 5-day training TT r. Fu Hongtuo, a improvement of common fishery environment and course on natural food genetic specialist carp, tilapia and biological control of fish culture and feed DD in prawn breeding and Macrobrachium spp; (4) disease. formulation that was tilapia selection, and Mr gene transfer; (5) sex- offered by AQD’s Liu Bo, a researcher in fish related genes and markers; Binangonan Freshwater GHENT, BELGIUM pathology and nutrition, (6) polyploidy induction; Station. visited AQD this month. (7) cell fusion and nuclear r. Joseph
From November 5 to ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ On the 15th, they gave transfer; and (8) MM Leopoldo Laranja, 9, Ms. Ma. Rosa MM a brief overview of domestication of native an MS Aquaculture Cristina Alvarado and research conducted by the wild species. graduate of the Laboratory Mr. Manuel Penaranda, Freshwater Fisheries At their Aquatic of Aquaculture and both employees of BSJ Research Center (FFRC) of Animal Disease Prevention Artemia Reference Center, Fishing and Trading Chinese Academy of & Medicines and Nutrition Universiteit Ghent, (Malabon City), were Fishery Science, Wuxi City, Department: (1) nutritional Belgium, came to AQD to given lectures and Jiangsu Province, China. requirements of cultivated deliver a seminar on hands-on practice. Research at FFRC’s fish and special aquatic November 23. He spoke on The training was Biotechnology & products; (2) fabricated the In vitro determination arranged two weeks after Aquaculture Department ○○○○○ pellets and additives, (3) of the prebiotic potential the request of BSJ’s Mr. focuses on: (1) survey on natural feeds; (4) of dietary carbohydrates Alex Inocentes, a genetic polymorphism; (2) microorganism feeds; and in fish. potential ABOT client. -FROM THE REPORT OF MRR EGUIA November 2007 AQD Matters 5 A peek at BFS, DBS... WHAT CAN BE LEARNED IN GERMANY
FS or the ○○○○○ symposium that celebrated BB Binangonan the 25th anniversary of Freshwater Station of AQD Hohenheim’s Institute for in Rizal sent its program the Tropics and ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ leader and scientist Dr. Ma. Subtropics. Dr. Aralar was Lourdes Aralar to the also able to visit a trout University of Hohenheim farm to observe its culture in Struttgart, Germany for operations. Clockwise from two months starting The objectives of the top: The seminar October 1. DAAD grant was to audience; Mr. Laranja; Funded by DAAD, Dr. provide former scholars Dr. Fu, Mr. Bo and AQD’s Dr. Ma Rowena Aralar conducted a short- opportunities to renew ties Eguia; the exceptional term study on with German institutions. It children of SPED, and Dr. Bailly bioenergetics is also to be noted that (=respiration) of the Hohenheim used to send freshwater prawn to AQD their students who ILOILO CITY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Geliang, Coordinator, and Macrobrachium were conducting thesis in Ms. Elizabeth Orquiola, rosenbergii. She was also aquaculture. xceptional Principal III, they were able to give a lecture to Dr. Aralar’s impressions children, 78 of EE M.Sc. and Ph.D. students of her research trip? them, with their celebrating the Deaf on aquaculture of parents and Awareness Week. “Germany and other freshwater prawns, and guardians visited “I listen with my European countries put a participated in a AQD’s Big Hatchery heart,” are the words high premium on organic and FishWorld on printed on their shirts. products, including those November 14. Below from left to right: from organic aquaculture They were from Dr. Aralar sets up the operations,” she said. respiration chambers for the Special LOS BANOS, LAGUNA “There are research ○○○○○○○○○○○ freshwater prawn; visit to activities focusing on Education-Integrated r. Nicolas Bailly, brook trout and rainbow organic aquaculture. School for OIC-Philippine DD trout farm with M Sc and Another research interest Exceptional Children PhD students; with Dr. Ulfert Office of the WorldFish is on the utilization of (SPED-ISEC) in Center’s FishBase Project, Focken of Hohenheim Iloilo City. Belonging University and Dr. detoxified Jatropha meal toured AQD’s hatchery for animal feed, including to Grades 1 through 6 facilities and laboratories Modadugu Gupta, Keynote Speaker at the anniversary aquaculture feeds.” under Mr. Jose on October 30. celebration
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DR. ARALAR
6 AQD Matters November 2007 ...the stops in the north at iba pa WHAT AQD SERVICES CAN BE EXTENDED IN THE PROVINCES OF TWO SENATORS MS or the Tigbauan Main Station of AQD in Iloilo sent its senior managers to Luzon for consultations with TTstakeholders and site assessments in October after the ABOT forum. The stops for Dr. Clarissa Marte (division head of technology verification and demonstration), Mr. Rene Agbayani (division head of training & information), and Mr. Armando Fermin (program leader of the mollusc program) were as follows:
Baler, Aurora for the consultation with the province’s fisheries stakeholders. Held October 22, the consultation was hosted by Dr. Eusebio Angara, president of the Aurora State College of Technology (leftmost photo). The Aurora project proposal was BFAR multi-species hatchery still in Baler on October initiated by 22. The AQD team assessed its operations
Senator Edgardo Angara. ○○○○○ ○○○○○○○
Tuguegarao, THANKS TO MS. LITA AGBAYANI FOR THE PHOTOS AND THE NOTES Cagayan for the consultation with stakeholders which was held October 24 at the conference room of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority. The Cagayan project proposal was initiated by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile ○○○○○
Meeting with Cagayan ○○○○○○○○○○ PAO tilapia Governor Bong Antonio ○○○○○○○ (facing camera) on October hatchery-nursery 25. Leftmost is Dr. Mildred in Sta. Ana operations was Abella, head of Cagayan’s assessed October 24 Meeting with Dr. Jovita Ayson (rightmost), Regional Director Provincial Agriculturist Office of BFAR-I on October 25, at her office. Leftmost is Mr. Bernie Comit, fisheries officer. In the middle: Mr. Fermin, Dr. Marte, Mr. Agbayani
November 2007 AQD Matters 7 WHAT CAN BE GAINED FROM A FARM BS or the Dumangas Brackishwater Station of AQD in northern Iloilo yielded scrumptious harvests in September DDthrough November 2007, and AQD employees especially those from the main station in Iloilo seemed to get early Christmas packages what with the lower-than-market prices, salary-deductible at that:
Crop Date of harvest Production Sales at AQD
Shrimps September 4 177 kg sold to 80 AQD staff at P220/kg P38,940.00 September 11 292 kg sold to 89 AQD staff (70 from TMS; 19 staff from DBS) at P200/kg P58,400.00
Alimango September 11 9 kg sold to 6 AQD staff at P230/kilo (female) and P150/kl (male) P 1,590.00
Milkfish October 5 129 kg sold to 43 AQD staff at P65/kg P 8,385.00
Seabass October 13 51 kg harvested for the ABOT forum
Red snapper October 25 80.8 kg sold to 40 AQD staff at P170/kg P13,736.00
Red snapper November 5, 7, 9 596.9 kg: 134.2 kg sold to AQD staff at P170/kg P16, 683.50 and 462.7 kilos sold to fish vendors, restaurants and private individuals at P200/kg
- FROM THE REPORT OF MRT TAPALES
WHAT CAN BE HAD FROM NEWLY ISSUED A RUMMAGE PUBLICATIONS SALE Recent developments in the roceeds ~ genetic improvement of the giant freshwater prawn, P7,416 ~ of PP 86 pages, compiled by MRR Eguia November 23’s rummage & MLC Aralar, contains results sale organized by the from the research project funded Journal Club in TMS will by the Government of Japan buy gifts for selected Trust Fund. The project is a indigent residents of collaboration under the AQD’s neighboring ASEAN-SEAFDEC barangays. Club members Fisheries Consultative Group first offered the goods to employees before heading A folder-flyer that can hold to the Tigbauan market. books and stuff has notes on Club President Mr. AQD’s new vision-mission, Stephen Alayon reported research & development that buyers included senior framework, technology transfer citizens, children, police, pathways, and contact tricycle drivers, vendors, addresses for the SEAFDEC Secretariat and the Departments and farmers who bought almost all the goods within an hour. “All were The AQD Magic is the introductory video happy... those who on AQD’s programs and thrusts with donated the items, the historical notes. The video was first shown sellers, and the buyers. at the November 2007 meeting of the Thank you!” ASEAN-SEAFDEC FCG in Iloilo City
8 AQD Matters November 2007 The two-day ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Carl Linnaeus, ashington DC, 13 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Linnaeus Exhibit WWNovember 2007. at the NMNH: the the Encyclopedia marked copy of Today the Smithsonian Systema Naturae of Life, and the Institution hosted the (1735), some Symposium “Three species with L. in Smithsonian Hundred Years of Linnaean their names, and Smithsonian the author in his taxonomy” in celebration wedding finery, of the 300th birth holding a sprig of TU Bagarinao anniversary of Carl the twinflower Linnaeus (1707-1778) and Linnea borealis L. Fulbright Scholar 2007 (also shown as the exhibit of Linnaeus’ herbarium own copy of the first of 12 specimen, at editions of Systema right). Naturae (1735-1768). Linnaeus was a medical doctor, a professor at the University of Uppsala, and above all, Sweden’s most
famous botanist-naturalist The one-day ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ as examples of the use of who sought to list and symposium was a DNA bar codes in order the whole of Creation semester’s course in Linnaean taxonomy. To ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and thereby laid the modern taxonomy. Gunnar cap the symposium, Acting foundations of taxonomy. Broberg of Lund Secretary Cristian Samper He described and named University, Sweden, gave a of the Smithsonian about 10,000 species, historical perspective on Institution talked about the including the familiar Linnaeus. Groberg has Encyclopedia of Life plants Oryza sativa, Zea written a booklet on (www.eol.org), a project mays, Cocos nucifera, Linnaeus the contents of that seeks to construct a Mangifera indica, which are also in several web site for each of the 1.8 Theobroma cacao, Coffea websites. Gerry Moore of million species that have arabica, Hibiscus rosa- the Brooklyn Botanic been described and make sinensis, and Ulva lactuca, Garden, New York, them all accessible through and the animals Homo compared Linnaean plant a single portal. Three sapiens, Hirudo taxonomy as practiced by hundred years ago, medicinalis, Cyprinus Linnaeus and as used Linnaeus set out on a carpio, Carassius auratus, today. David Roberts of nearly impossible task of Salmo salar, Haliotis the Natural History classifying and naming asinina, Perna viridis, and Museum London talked what was thought to be Placuna placenta. He about Linnaean about 70,000 species on ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ explored the Lapland, lived systematics, collaborative ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ earth. Today, he would in Holland, and visited taxonomy, and the Web. have been happy to see France and England. He Michael Donoghue of the thousands of scientists extended his reach around Peabody Museum of continuing his work to the world by sending many Natural History, Yale document 1.8 million students (‘apostles’) on University, Connecticut, species. Samper offered voyages of exploration, argued that taxonomists EOL as a birthday present including Daniel Solander should seriously consider to Linnaeus. Nice touch. and Anders Sparrman who an alternative system of The Encyclopedia of traveled with Captain nomenclature. Mark Life brings together James Cook, and Petrus Siddall of the American several of the world’s Forsskal of Chanos Museum of Natural natural history institutions chanos, Epinephelus History, New York, made including the Smithsonian, fuscoguttatus, and Scylla leeches forever glamorous the Field Museum in serrata fame. by using Hirudo Chicago, Harvard medicinalis and relatives University, the Woods
November 2007 AQD Matters 9 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
Hole Marine Biological Gregor Mendel (1822-1884) ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ (2003) tells the story. Laboratory, Missouri and the Treatises on Plant When then US President Botanical Garden, and the Hybrids in 1865; James Andrew Jackson was Biodiversity Heritage Watson (1928- 200_), the informed of Smithson’s gift Library consortium. The DNA double helix, and the in 1835, the news was project collaborates and Human Genome Project; received at Congress with links with other efforts and Edward Wilson (1929- a mixture of disinterest, already underway such as 200_), sociobiology, and befuddlement, suspicion, the Catalogue of Life, Tree biodiversity. Some ridicule, and indignation. of Life Web, FishBase, and breakthroughs in science Some Congressmen argued Amphibiaweb. EOL will take just a few years, but it that it was dishonorable to cost $50 million in its first has taken taxonomy, take any money from an five years. Already the genetics, evolution, Englishman, and it was Alfred P. Sloan and the molecular biology, and beneath the dignity of the Catherine T. and John D. biodiversity about 300 United States to confer MacArthur Foundation years to come together and immortality on a man has committed $12.5 M for back to taxonomy. There is merely for sending over a the first two years. a beauty to all of this. treasure. Fortunately, The EOL is a pet Between Linnaeus and former President John project of Cristian Samper, the Encyclopedia of Life, Quincy Adams was then
a 41-year old Colombian- there, too, was James ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ serving in Congress. He American scientist- Smithson (1765-1829), an had wanted to expand administrator- Englishman who federal government into communicator with a long bequeathed his library, the realms of science and and impressive resume (all mineral collection, and education and to create a on Google). I fell in love entire fortune to the European-class American with the guy after one hour “United States of America, scientific community, but of lecture. For you, too, to to found at Washington, had faced opposition. A get a feel for the man and under the name of the truly intellectual scholar his job, I attach his speech, Smithsonian Institution, an politician passionately “The Smithsonian: Fact, Establishment for the interested in astronomy, he Fiction, and the Future”. increase & diffusion of was deeply moved by [Editor’s note: for AQD Knowledge among men” – Smithson’s words. After
employees, this file was sent as ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ even though he had never persistent discussion, an email attachment. We regret visited the US nor known Adams persuaded that it’s too long to be included any Americans. Created Congress to accept the here.] Just as Linnaeus by an act of the United Smithson bequest. Thus immersed himself in nature, States Congress in 1846, in 1836, Jackson sent cultivated ‘apostles’, and the Smithsonian Institution diplomat Richard Rush to founded the Royal is now the world’s largest London to secure the Swedish Academy of museum and research funds. It took Rush two Sciences, so Samper complex with 19 museums, years of negotiations with
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ studied neotropical the National Zoo, and Smithson’s heirs and the biodiversity, designed an several research facilities British courts before he environment education around the world. The could bring to New York program for 10,000 total number of objects, and deposit at the US Mint schools, and founded the works of art, and in Philadelphia 105 sacks Ministry of the specimens is more than 142 of gold sovereigns worth Environment the Alexander million, most of them at the 104,960 British pounds von Humboldt Biological National Museum of (worth US$508,318 in Resources Research Natural History. 1836). But then the funds Institute in Colombia. But the Smithsonian were stolen! Between Linnaeus and almost did not come to be. When Smithson’s Samper, there came Charles In her book The Stranger bequest arrived, the United Darwin (1809-1882) and the and the Statesman, States was broke. Half a Origin of Species in 1859; journalist Nina Burleigh million dollars in 1836 was
10 AQD Matters November 2007 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the equivalent in buying ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Smithson’s bequest staffed by learned men. power of 50 million dollars arrived, the United States Elitist Senator Rufus today. It was an enormous not known for its Choate imagined building sum in a country where the scientists, its intellectual the greatest library in per capita annual income life, or its diffusion of human history. was 100 dollars. Before knowledge. The Industrialist Rush arrived in1838, politicians assigned to Representative Robert Congress passed a bill define an institution for the Owen preferred the with a last-minute tack that diffusion of knowledge creation of a federal authorized the Treasury were not able to fulfill the university. Naturalist Secretary to invest all of task quickly because of Representative Joel Smithson’s money in state competing ideas about Poinsett favored a federal stocks, but without the what America’s culture was institution for the states being directed to going to be. That promotion of science, use the money for Smithson specified combining a botanical “diffusion of knowledge Washington was another garden, an observatory, among men”. Adams was problem. Aside from the laboratories, libraries, and the sole voice of protest White House and the publications for both against the last minute Capitol, Washington was scientists and lay people.
tack. Almost all the funds ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ forests and marshland and Richard Rush submitted a were invested in Arkansas dirty streets, cholera and proposal for a national real estate bonds, which malaria raged, there was no institution that could turned bad quickly (or culture, and prostitution nourish American embezzled by a prominent was as brisk as the slave intellectual resources and politician). Adams rallied trade. Some politicians banish the image of public interest in the lost thought a working farm America as a backward ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ funds and finally attached to an agricultural nation inhabited by ill- convinced Congress in college in the national educated provincials. The 1841 to repeal the bill capital best diffused the final plan for the authorizing investment of kind of knowledge Smithsonian Institution Smithson’s money in state Americans needed. Still approved by Congress funds. No one was held others wanted the money very closely followed personally accountable for to go toward educating the Poinsett’s ideas and the loss, but the US common people, or a Rush’s proposal. On 10 treasury was ordered to normal school for teachers. August 1846, 17 years after replenish the fund and pay John Quincy Adams Smithson’s death in Genoa 6% a year on the capital. argued for use of the and 11 years after word of But Congress took Smithson funds to build a his bequest reached the another five years to national American White House, President JK decide what to do with the observatory outfitted with Polk signed the bill that bequest. When great telescopes and created the Smithsonian Institution.
November 2007 AQD Matters 11 Clam: fossilized and donated Contributions from e will learn later how old this clam really is. The donor, AQD employees WW Ms. Louella Ali of Cebu City, is having it carbon- dated. For the moment AQD thanks the Ali family for the are always welcome! specimen donation to FishWorld. Please send text separately from the photos. If possible, photo quality should not be lower than 300 dpi
AQD Matters is published by the Development Communication Unit Training and Information Division Tigbauan Main Station in Iloilo
Editors this issue JE Salamida & MT Castanos
Editorial consultants MT Castanos