PCG joins UP, DENR research expedition to Kalayaan

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is part of an ongoing weeklong research expedition project to gather baseline biodiversity data at the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea.

- EVELYN MACAIRAN

In a statement, the PCG yesterday said its Marine Science Group (MSG) joined the University of the Philippines - Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) in the research expedition that started on Feb. 22 and will end on Feb. 28.

In the expedition, the PCG-MSG, UP-MSI and the DENR-BMB are assessing the diversity and community structure of seaweeds, mollusks and other benthic invertebrates.

They are also documenting the biodiversity, abundance and distribution of seagrasses on the reef flat of Pag-asa Island.

The research group is also conducting mollusk surveys to better understand habitat interactions, as well as identify and map priority reef restoration sites.

Commodore May Marfil, deputy chief of coast guard staff for marine environmental protection, said the initiative is a prelude to a series of activities to rehabilitate the coral reefs and other marine ecosystems in the West Philippine Sea.

"This is also in line with the PCG's mandate on marine environment protection and in recognition of the immeasurable importance of the marine environment and resources to the Filipino people," the PCG added.

According to an earlier report, there are scientific studies that established that the marine ecosystem in Kalayaan is a critical biodiversity area, crucial for the sustainable supply of fish and coral larvae in the country and the region.

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