PAGTAOBTHE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE MCKEOUGH MARINE CENTER XAVIER UNIVERSITY DEC 2013 - JUNE 2014 2 - ISSUE VOLUME PAGTAOB is a Visayan term for the rising of the tide. Every flood of the tide brings with it new “The dive could have felt nutrients and other important components that sustain like any other first the numerous denizens in the intertidal zone. Just like deep dive, but the nutrients that are being brought in, information is also FIRST DIVE TO somehow it was vital for marine scientists. ! special, because as far This newsletter aims to update By Ria Duana A. Roble as you know, no one has the XU community and our partners on the different been there before.” programs and activities of the McKeough Marine Center. ~ Patrice Roa-Chio

INSIDE THIS he United Nations Convention on the Law of the speak,” Quimpo said. Difficulties were encountered ISSUE Sea (UNCLOS) officially confirmed that Benham in the dive trip because the area was beyond the Rise, a 13-million-hectare underwater plateau, recreational and open circuit scuba diving limits. First dive to T 1 off the coast of Aurora and is bigger than is now Resources are abundant (energy, food, water, etc.) but Benham Rise! part of the Philippine and territory studies must be done to further know and emphasize Ang Panagtagbo sa 2 on April 12, 2012, three years after it has been solely their value. Tigbantay sa Lasang, claimed by the country. It was named after an American Suba ug Dagat geologist who discovered it, Andrew Benham, way back “The impact is not only on the resources but I believe XU opens marine 3 in 1933. on the morale of future Filipino explorers and scientists. station in Jasaan But resource-wise, it all depends on how this Two senior researchers from Xavier University - generation will utilize this speculated availability, which Study tour in 4 McKeough Marine Center namely, Fra-and Timothy can either make this country richer or make it even SEAFDEC Quimpo and Patrice Bianca Roa-Chio joined a poorer than ever,” Chio remarked. Celebrating the Month 5 team of researchers and divers in an expedition to of the Ocean 2014 Benham Rise on May 3-17. The team was led by Dr. The depths of the Benham Rise are dangerous and Hildie Nacorda of the University of the unpredictable, however, being part of the first team Enhancing Resiliency 6 Los Baños-School of Environmental Science and to explore our country’s newly-acquired territory is to Climate Change in Management (UPLB-SESAM). Other participants undeniably rewarding. T Macajalar Bay were from UP-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Photos from Dr. Hildie Nacorda and Fra-and Timothy Quimpo UPLB-SESAM and Institute of Biological Sciences, UP Mindanao, UP and Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU).

The team reached, for the first time, the 50-m deep , the shallowest part of Benham Rise.

“From the many marine biologists and scientists in the Philippines, there were only a handful of us chosen to be part of the expedition so it was really an honor to be part of the exploratory team of Benham Rise, being the first to see and grab the bottom of Benham so to

Fra-and Quimpo (left) and Patrice Chio (right) take a pose underwater. The KGVs listen as an MMC staff explains a marine organism.

Datu Macmac (right most) shares his experiences on forest protection. ANG PANAGTAGBO SA TIGBANTAY SA LASANG, SUBA UG DAGAT (The convergence of the custodians of the mountains, river and the sea) The participants enjoy the river cruise along the By Ria Duana A. Roble and Warwin O. Sabasaje Cagayan de Oro River.

s humans, we are essentially linked For the coastal and marine areas, an on- characteristics of Mt. Kitanglad and Mt. with nature. What we do to our site exposure and a short lecture on the Kalatungan at Central Mindanao University Aenvironment significantly affects the different marine resources (giant clams, (CMU). Introducing some sustainable farming nature’s balance. The slew of environmental seagrass, seaweeds, macroinvertebrates, strategies and proper management practices, problems nowadays have challenged us fishes, corals and mangroves), including they went to Unifruti farm in Valencia City, to do our part, enforcing programs and a brief demonstration on how to wear the Cinchona eagle nest site and Binahon actions for the conservation of our natural snorkeling were conducted by the MMC staff. Agroforestry Farm in Malaybalay City. ecosystems, and maintaining it to develop Participants explored the coastal barangays better and sustainable resources. of Laguindingan, MisOr and look for ways on The six-day activity started with a sacred how to manage and utilize their resources, ritual called “Pamuhat Alang sa Kinaiyahan: Different programs in our region had already and develop livelihood opportunities for the Pamumulakaw” held in Talakag-Dansolihon started to preserve and develop the natural coastal community. boundary, participated in by various ecosystem and prevent further damage to indigenous people community and leaders the remaining forest and aquatic resources. A river cruise for the group took place at the of Higaonon tribe with the presence of Learning exposure trips to the different areas Cagayan de Oro River hosted by a member Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma SJ, DD. It in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental were held of the CDORBMC, the Safer River Life culminated at the Perrine Farm in Manolo on March 7-12 which gave the participants a Saver Foundation, Inc. (SRLSF). The tour Fortich, Bukidnon. realization that all their efforts in maintaining started near Liceo de Cagayan University and protecting their respective areas of (LdCU) all the way to the river mouth and To wrap up the whole learning exposure, responsibilities are all interconnected through back, witnessing the people dwelling along a series of talks, sharing of individual the ridge-river-reef (R3) landscape principle. the riverbanks as well as the ruins brought experiences and practices in protecting and about by Typhoon Sendong. Rehabilitation conserving the environment were done at Different resource managers joined the and research works in the area were also the end of each trip. The cross visit was activity: the Kitanglad Guards Volunteers explained during the tour. indeed a huge success! Coastal protection (KGVs) of Kitanglad Integrated NGOs (KIN) is ineffective if the river and upland areas for the forest and watersheds, Cagayan Bukidnon was their last stop wherein the are taken for granted, thus, there must de Oro River Basin Management Council participants ventured on the planted trees be solidarity among all the environmental (CDORBMC) for the river; and the Macajalar in the Center for Ecological Development guardians to combat the threats of Bay Development Alliance (MBDA) and and Recreation (CEDAR) including its destruction caused by natural and man-made McKeough Marine Center (MMC) for the characteristics and uses. The KGVs also calamities. T coastal area. imparted their efforts and interventions on forest management. The participants also attended a lecture on the biophysical

Vol 2 - Issue 2: PAGTAOB 2 XU OPENS MARINE STATION IN JASAAN By Ria Duana A. Roble

“ ou cannot be a Jesuit University if source of baseline information for present The blessing and inauguration of the marine you don’t have a clear environmental and future studies,” said Fr. Mars Tan SJ, station was attended by the members of Yprogram,” said Xavier University MMC director. the Macajalar Bay Development Alliance president Fr. Bobby Yap SJ, emphasizing that (MBDA), local government units (LGUs) of caring for the environment is part of the Jesuit In addition, the marine station serves as: (1) Misamis Oriental, the Bureau of Fisheries and mission. a facility to propel the awareness of the local Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Philippine communities and schools in the Municipality Coast Guard (PCG), Samdhana Institute, XU With the University’s expanding approach of Jasaan and nearby towns on coastal Marine Biology alumni, MMC staff and other on research and outreach work, XU and marine conservation, (2) a venue for members of the XU community. formally inaugurated the XU Marine Station hatchery for the mass culture and farming of in Solana, Jasaan, Misamis marine resources such as sea urchin and sea As the kick-off activity of the marine station Oriental on May 6. It will be managed by the cucumber, (3) a nesting site for the sea turtles was successfully held, it will now cater McKeough Marine Center (MMC). (Eretmochelys imbricata – a Hawksbill turtle) various resources to help students and considering that the unique characteristic of researchers obtain a higher level of learning, Intended to support courses in Biology and sea turtles is to go back and lay eggs from and to aid them in their mission to rally for Marine Biology, classes could be held here where they have been hatched. sustainability not only in the coastal and for on-site lectures and fieldwork, and to aquatic areas but for the environment as a conduct small-scale experiments for research Aside from being a research facility, the whole. T studies of students with undergraduate or marine station has other functional structures graduate theses. such as a multi-purpose hall, a dormitory and several cottages for trainings, meetings and “MMC has already generated 3D bathymetric other capacity-building activities. and resource map of the coastal site as a

XU McKeough Marine Center (MMC) 3 MARINE CORNER

Scientists extract the blue blood of the horseshoe crab in a STUDY TOUR AT SEAFDEC laboratory. (A still shot from the PBS Nature documentary By Czarmayne T. Escoro “Crash: A Tale of Two Species”) ncluded in the Macajalar Bay Development cultured organisms. Among the organisms Horseshoe Crab’s Big Alliance (MBDA) strategies for sustainable housed at SEAFDEC were lapu-lapu (giant Role in Medicine Icoastal management is livelihood grouper), bangus (milkfish), balat (sandfish), assistance among the coastal communities. sea horse, mud crab, kapinan (abalone) orseshoe crabs before were used Already started with the sea urchin grow and guso (seaweeds). A consultation with as a bait for catching conchs (shell out and sea urchin roe processing training an expert and a series of lectures were Hof a snail) and eels. They are also in 2013, the alliance had a study tour at the conducted on some cultured organisms. being dried to be used as fertilizer and South East Asian Fisheries Development Preparation, initial capital, and the poultry food supplements. Now, it has a Center (SEAFDEC) Aquaculture Department environmental requirements and precautions special value in medicinal research and in Tigbauan, Iloilo on June 2-6. to start the aquaculture activities were pharmaceutical industry—using it to test for among the concerns discussed. bacterial contamination of drugs and medical SEAFDEC conducts scientific research equipment. to generate aquaculture technologies The tour gave the LGUs ideas of possible appropriate for Southeast Asia; develops aquaculture activities and projects to set Its blue blood (with presence of copper) managerial, technical and skilled manpower up in their respective areas. Updates contains a substance called Limulus for the aquaculture sector; and disseminates for improvement were also given to Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) which forms a aquaculture information. During the 5-day those with existing aquaculture facilities. protective clot in the presence of bacteria. It tour, the participants visited the marine The participants were interested on the creates a sticky mass around the infective stations in Tigbauan and Dumangas in aquaculture technologies and are planning to agents, and prevents them from spreading. Iloilo, and Igang in Guimaras province. They apply for a training course at SEAFDEC. T were able to see the brood stock, hatchery, Even though crabs used for this purpose nursery and grow out facilities of different are returned to the ocean, approximately 10-30% die as a result of the process. A quart of the horseshoe crab’s blood is worth approximately $15,000.

Horseshoe crabs are marine arthropods that live in the shallow waters. It has a horseshoe-shaped carapace (shell) and a spike-like tail. There are four species of horseshoe crabs, three of them can be found in Asia and the other in North America.

Source: Madrigal, A.C. 2014. The blood harvest. http:// www.theatlantic.com/.technology/archive/2014/02/the- blood-harvest/284078/

A Horseshoe Crab | Photo by PerO the Viking

Vol 2 - Issue 2: PAGTAOB 4 CELEBRATING THE MONTH OF THE OCEAN 2014 By Kristine A. Galarrita, MSc

his year, the Macajalar Bay planting activities in Barangay Bonbon for Development Alliance (MBDA) 4 days involving the units of the City Local Tcelebrated the Month of the Ocean Environment and Natural Resources Office with the rest of the country to advocate the (CLENRO), Agriculture Production Office importance of the mangrove ecosystem. (APO), Philippine Air Force, Nestle Philippines, summer job students and high school alumni. The MBDA, composed of 15 local government A total of 3,750 propagules were planted in units situated along the Macajalar Bay in 1.5 hectares of coastal area. The other LGUs, Northern Mindanao, was established in 2008 such as Alubijid also conducted mangrove by Xavier University to implement baywide area cleanup which was participated in by coastal management. It is comprised of different stakeholders including the barangays 12 municipalities: Alubijid, Balingasag, in the upland areas. This has also given Binuangan, Jasaan, Kinoguitan, Lagonglong, the participants a chance to visit the newly Laguindingan, Opol, Salay, Sugbongcogon, constructed mangrove boardwalk in the Tagoloan and Villanueva; 1 component city: municipality. El Salvador; 1 chartered city: Cagayan de Oro and the provincial government of Misamis Mangrove conservation will be continued Oriental. in the bay by the MBDA together with its Various groups participate in mangrove planting in partners. With the technical expertise and Cagayan de Oro City. The member-LGUs of the MBDA actively support of DENR and BFAR, the alliance participated in the cleanup of the mangrove will be establishing mangrove nurseries in areas in Tubajon, Laguindingan on May the west and east sides of the bay to also 23 with the slogan translated in the local assist the LGUs, people’s organizations and dialect, “Ang bakhaw manalipud, panalipdan other stakeholders in the management and ang bakhaw”. Its partners such as the development of the coastal areas and its Department of Environment and Natural resources. Resources X (DENR), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources X (BFAR), PNP- A map illustrating identified mangrove Maritime, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and planting areas for each municipality and city Xavier University also joined in gathering has been developed by the MBDA. It shows trash and other undesirable materials near that Macajalar Bay has a total of 213.35 and in the mangrove forests. Common trash hectares of mangrove area including old collected were food wrappers, cans, bottles, forest and newly planted mangroves as of used diapers and plastic materials. This 2012. Mangrove planting and cleanup were activity has showed that the MBDA and its incorporated in the programs of each member- partner agencies are one in the protection LGUs raising awareness to the community and conservation of these natural structures. with the slew of benefits the ocean provides Our unity stands as our first defense against for us. T storms and other disturbances.

Some of the LGUs also initiated other events in connection to the Month of the Ocean celebration. The city of Cagayan de BFAR, DENR, PCG and the PNP-Maritime Group join the Oro has conducted a number of mangrove MBDA in mangrove cleanup.

XU McKeough Marine Center (MMC) 5 ENHANCING RESILIENCY TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN MACAJALAR BAY By Meliusa Marie N. Kitche and Dr. Hilly Ann Roa-Quiaoit

he 2-year ER-PROGRAM (Enhancing Resiliency through Bay by establishing a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Policy Recommendation, Outreach, Governance, Research, and through strengthening the management of the network. It TAdaptive Management in Macajalar Bay to Climate Change) covers organizational development of the existing Macajalar Bay project of XU-McKeough Marine Center (MMC), funded by Deutsche Development Alliance (MBDA) of the 14 local government units Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and (LGUs) in the bay, solution research for MPA management, policy the Adaptation to Climate Change in Coastal Areas (ACCCoast) reviews, social marketing campaigns and enhancing the capabilities culminated in December 2013. of the local constituents. The project is divided into 6 components: Research, MPA Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, ER-PROGRAM is a comprehensive approach for a bay-wide Enforcement, Information, Education and Communication (IEC), and integrated management in Macajalar Bay, Misamis Oriental, Northern Policy. Mindanao. It attempts to enhance the resiliency of Macajalar

Highlights of the project activities and outcomes

Research. Ecological assessments (coral MPA Management. Formation and Monitoring and Evaluation. The and reef fish community), vulnerability to strengthening management mechanism of Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment sedimentation, and genetic connectivity its constituents is an essential requirement (PCRA) is a science-based methodology study (using a simple reef fish, Dascyllus in establishing an MPA network. Training in collecting data on key coastal resources trimaculatus, or the three-spotted damselfish) Needs Assessment (TNA) was conducted and analyzing this to determine the status were conducted in selected sites within to the MPA managers of LGU-members of and health of the marine ecosystem. To Macajalar Bay wherein the results will be MBDA. The conduct of MPA Management enhance the capacities of the MBDA to used as basis for the establishment of the Effectiveness Assessment Tool (MEAT) was efficiently manage the Macajalar Bay and MPA network in the bay. The information also helpful in gauging the management level the resources therein, PCRA training was derived from these studies will complement of each MPA in the bay to facilitate member- conducted to selected LGU personnel the MBDA to come up with appropriate LGUs of MBDA towards an effective MPA. which concluded with the formation of measures to maintain the functions and the composite Monitoring and Evaluation services of the coral reefs in the bay Capacity-building activities—conducted to (M&E) teams of the MBDA. They were against climate change and anthropogenic the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM), trained to identify, assess, record and report disturbances. MPA managers and technical working groups data on the coastal resources, specifically (TWGs) of MBDA—include management on mangroves, seaweeds, seagrasses, trainings, MPA Network Training and macroinvertebrates, fishes and corals. Planning Workshop, field work in different operational MPAs in Macajalar Bay, and a learning visit at the Lanuza Bay Development Alliance (LBDA) in Lanuza Bay, Surigao del Sur.

Vol 2 - Issue 2: PAGTAOB 6 The success of the project is not possible without the support of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature - Ecosystem key partner organizations, which include XU Units (Center for Legal Alliance (IUCN-EA) and Samdhana Institute. Alongside MBDA’s Assistance, Governance and Leadership Institute, Development “Partnership for Climate Resilience” with the key business sectors Communications), Marine Science Institute of University of the through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the public Philippines-Diliman Quezon City, MBDA, Cagayan de Oro River Basin sector. The civic organizations in Macajalar Bay optimistically support Management Council (CDORBMC), Department of Environment and the alliance’s programs and projects for a sustainable protection and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 10, BFAR Region 10, PCGDNM, management of the bay. T

Enforcement. With the establishment of IEC. Social marketing, a communication Policy. This component was required to the MBDA-Project Management Office strategy which seeks to influence social come up with recommendations and draft and the TWGs on law enforcement, a behaviors to benefit the target audience policies that would strengthen protection of memorandum of agreement (MOA) was and the general society, is aimed towards the MPAs through a participatory process. signed for the creation of the Macajalar Bay protecting and preserving the marine These have been carried out through the Law Enforcement and Prosecution Unit sanctuaries or MPAs along Macajalar Bay. conduct of series of workshops; the outputs (MBLEPU). CLE assessments and TNA were A Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of which would be advocated for support to conducted, where the series of CLE trainings survey was conducted, where the data respective legislators and policy-makers from were programmed based on the results of generated served as the basis for the design the barangay to the regional levels. Policy each assessment. Along with partner national of the produced IEC materials (posters, consultation and action-planning workshops government agencies (NGAs), such as the brochures, tarpaulins, video/AVP). The social were conducted per LGU cluster of MBDA PNP-Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard marketing campaign on MPA was launched with the identified participants based on the Division Northern Mindanao (PCGDNM) with its banner message, “Ang marine stakeholders profile produced under this and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic sanctuary ampingan alang sa malahutayong component. A review of pertinent national Resources (BFAR-X), four CLE training panginabuhian” (“Care for the marine and local laws was made to determine some sessions were conducted. Topics covered sanctuary assures sustainable livelihood”). of the policy gaps in the implementation of include basic rescue, boat handling and MPAs in Macajalar Bay. boarding procedures, Fisheries Code of the Philippines (RA 8550), proper apprehension and documentation of cases and evidence.

XU McKeough Marine Center (MMC) 7 DID YOU KNOW?

A male seahorse Beneath the Horizon has a pouch like a By Rania Lobusta, BS Marine Biology 3 kangaroo where the baby seahorses grow until it is time for them to be released. The male seahorse “gives birth” and cares for A day at the Beach is nice the young (not the Away from the City’s stressful life female seahorse). As the waves call your name to the sand The water surrounds where you stand.

A starfish isn’t Standing and looking at the horizon really a fish at all. It is part of a group Didn’t you wonder what’s beneath the ocean? of marine animals called echinoderms Underneath all the sea water which include the There’s a whole new world of color. sea urchins and sea cucumbers. It is best to call it a sea star. Where different shapes and sizes that you can see A place those amazing creatures are living free The beauty of the sea is incomparable A sailfish is the Destroying it is indeed unforgivable. fastest fish in the ocean. Notable characteristics of a sailfish are its erectile Love and protect the reef dorsal fin known For that is our belief as a “sail” and its elongated bill. It feeds It is the home of many living creature on schooling fishes such as sardines, Will you harm such beautiful nature? anchovies and mackerel. To change our deeds is not too late We can still make things straight. Blue whales are the largest animals in our Believe me when I say, planet (exceeding the size of the greatest There won’t be us without the sea. known dinosaurs). Their heart is about as big as the size of a car.

EDITORIAL BOARD McKeough Marine Center Ria Duana A. Roble WRITERS Gertrude M. Garcia Kristine A. Galarrita 2/F Science Center Building Fra-and Timothy Quimpo Meliusa Marie N. Kitche Xavier University—Ateneo de Cagayan Czarmayne T. Escoro Corrales Avenue PROOFREADER Warwin O. Sabasaje 9000 Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines Stephen J. Pedroza Rania Lobusta (088) 858-3116 Ria Duana A. Roble Email: [email protected] LAYOUT ARTIST Vol 2 - Issue 2: PAGTAOB 8 Niccu S. Bagonoc