College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas

20/05/2026

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲!

The Master of Science in Fisheries (Aquaculture) program of the University of the Philippines Visayas equips future researchers, educators, and industry leaders with advanced training in nutrition, breeding, disease management, culture systems, and genetic resources of commercially or ecologically important aquatic organisms.

Why choose the MS Fisheries (Aquaculture) program?
✅ Interdisciplinary and research-driven curriculum
✅ Expert faculty with diverse specializations in aquaculture and fisheries science
✅ Hands-on laboratory, field, and community-based learning experiences
✅ Opportunities for research that address real-world aquaculture challenges
✅ Access to scholarships, grants, and research support
✅ Flexible study plans for full-time and part-time students

Be part of a graduate program committed to developing science-based solutions for food security, aquatic resource management, and sustainability.

Check out the UPV Graduate School website for more details: https://graduateschool.upv.edu.ph/

Take the next step toward becoming a leader in aquaculture research and innovation.

19/05/2026

𝐔𝐏𝐕-𝐂𝐅𝐎𝐒 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 2026 𝐎𝐥𝐦𝐢𝐱 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬

The College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS), University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) has announced the winners of the 2026 Olmix Seaweed Thesis Competition, held on May 15, 2026, at the CFOS Conference Room, Umali Building, Miagao campus.

𝐃𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐤𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬𝐞 clinched the Olmix Best Seaweed Thesis Award for his study, “Formulated Diet for 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘢 (Linnaeus 1758) Donkey’s Ear Abalone with Commercially Available Ulva spp. Meal for Hatchery Operations.” Advised by Prof. Rex Ferdinand Traifalgar, Lanticse’s research explored the use of 𝘜𝘭𝘷𝘢 meal in abalone hatchery diets, an approach aligned with Olmix’s advocacy for algae-based natural solutions in aquaculture.

𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐨 secured second place with her thesis, “Growth Response to Nutrient Sources and Post-Harvest Physiological Performance of 𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘢 (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta),” under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Iris Ann Borlongan. Her work contributes to improving the cultivation and post-harvest handling of 𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘢, a commercially important seaweed in Philippine aquaculture.

Third place was awarded to 𝐇𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐥 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐲𝐨𝐧 for her study, “Assessment of Charru Mussel (Mytella strigata) Shell-Derived Extract and Commercial Chitosan on the Tissue Culture of 𝘒𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴 (Rhodophyta),” also advised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Iris Ann Borlongan. Her research examined alternative biostimulants for seaweed tissue culture, contributing to ongoing efforts to enhance propagation techniques for this commercially important species.

As the top awardee, Lanticse will receive a plaque and Php 30,000 cash prize from Olmix during the CFOS Recognition Program in July.

Now on its third installment, the competition forms part of the UPV–Olmix partnership established in 2024 and renewed annually to promote excellence in seaweed science, cultivation, and applied research.

The 2026 final round featured six undergraduate presenters and evaluated by a technical panel composed of Asst. Prof. Peter A. Palma, Ph.D. (Institute of Aquaculture, UP Visayas), Prof. Johannes M. Magpusao, Ph.D. (School of Technology, UP Visayas), and Dr. Mary Dianne Grace Bahuaud (SEAFDEC/AQD). Their diverse research backgrounds and experience in scientific evaluation provided a strong and balanced review of all presentations.

CFOS extends its gratitude to Olmix Philippines for its continued support of the competition and its commitment to giving back to seaweed science.

19/05/2026

"The Institute of Aquaculture hosted a consultation meeting with the Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division (IARRD) of DOST-PCAARRD on the updating of the Industry Strategic Science and Technology Programs (ISP) for inland aquatic resources, with focus on the milkfish and mangrove crabs on May 11-13, 2026."

18/05/2026

52 BSF students bare research findings at 2026 CFOS Thesis Colloquium

Fifty-two graduating Bachelor of Science in Fisheries (BSF) students from the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS) showcased their undergraduate research at the 2026 Thesis Colloquium on May 13, 2026.

Held at the AV Hall of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Miagao campus, the event served as a platform for the next generation of fisheries professionals to share insights related to aquaculture, post-harvest technology, capture fisheries, and fisheries management.

The colloquium featured both oral and poster presentations.

Twenty students competed in the oral competition, featuring nine studies in aquaculture, five in fish processing technology, four in capture fisheries, and three in fisheries management.

Thirty-two posters were exhibited with 16 competing and 16 non-competing entries.

The one-day activity featured a plenary talk by Dr. Emilia T. Quinitio, a crab culture specialist and a retired Senior Scientist at SEAFDEC-AQD.

In her lecture, “Why Scientific Research Matters in a Changing World,” Quinitio urged the students to do research not just to be published but also for impactful findings, so that the time, dedication, and resources spent serve a greater purpose.

“When doing research, do it to address an issue that affects the industry or the community,” Quinitio emphasized. “Do it the right way.”

In his opening remarks, CFOS Dean Prof. Dr. Harold M. Monteclaro congratulated the participants, noting that the colloquium represents more than just a requirement for their Fish 200 course.

“The thesis presentation is a celebration of inquiry, perseverance, and intellectual growth,” Monteclaro said. “Each study presented today reflects curiosity, critical thinking, and a commitment to addressing real-world concerns within our communities. You have not only fulfilled an academic obligation, but you also contributed to the advancement of this College.”

The dean encouraged the young scholars to communicate their findings responsibly, reminding them that "knowledge becomes meaningful when shared effectively.”

This year marks the second college-wide colloquium for CFOS, following a shift from the previous format where the four institutes conducted its own separate sessions. By bringing the different institutes together in one venue, the activity fostered a broader exchange of ideas of the different disciplines of fisheries science.

Winners for both the oral and poster competitions will be officially announced during the CFOS Pagpasidungog on July 8, 2026.

Written by Lenilyn B. Gallos
Photos courtesy of Lenilyn B. Gallos

18/05/2026

16/05/2026

Satellite Remote Sensing for Marine and Aquatic Ecosystems

The Institute of Aquaculture, in collaboration with the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology,
warmly invites you to a webinar featuring Dr. Shovonlal Roy of the University of Reading.

This webinar aims to introduce graduate and postgraduate students, faculty, as well as early-career researchers of UPV, to the applications of satellite remote sensing in monitoring, assessing, and understanding marine and aquatic ecosystems.

📅 Date: May 19, 2026
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM
📍 Platform: Zoom

Register to this webinar by scanning the QR code or through the link in the comment section.

15/05/2026

Asst. Prof. Christian James Morales, faculty member of the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, UPV-CFOS, presented his study, "Seasonal Atmospheric Forcing and Shelf-scale Oceanographic Variability Influences Demersal Fisheries in the Visayan Sea, Philippines” at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly in Vienna, Austria on May 3-8, 2026.


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15/05/2026

🗓️ Deadline for abstract submission: June 15, 2026
➡️ Access submission form here: ifs2026.upv.edu.ph

📢 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS‼️

If you’re looking to share your work on sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and marine resource management, this might be the perfect time!

Scholars, researchers, educators, and practitioners are invited to submit their abstracts for the 14th International Fisheries Symposium in Iloilo City with the theme, “One Blue ASEAN Fisheries for the Future.”

Grounded in the vision of a “blue future,” the conference focuses on the responsible utilization of aquatic resources while ensuring ecological balance, food security, and economic resilience.

Check out the diverse key thematic areas for this year’s IFS through our website.

🗓️ Deadline for abstract submission: June 15, 2026
➡️ Access submission form here: ifs2026.upv.edu.ph

15/05/2026

Watch out for the 14th International Fisheries Symposium (IFS) happening this October 2026. For more information, check out our website: ifs2026.upv.edu.ph

13/05/2026

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒 || The College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences conducted a Thesis Colloquium on May 13, 2026 at the AV Hall, UP Visayas Miagao Campus . The one-day activity featured a plenary talk delivered by Dr. Emilia T. Quinitio, a crab specialist and retired Senior Scientist at SEAFDEC-AQD, on "Why Scientific Research Matters in a Changing World."

Fifty-two undergraduate papers were showcased both in the oral and poster presentations.