Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, CFOS, UPV

18/05/2026

📢 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

18/05/2026

18/05/2026

IMFO joins TalabaCon 2026! 🦪✨

We are proud to share that the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology (IMFO) is participating in this year's National Oyster Conference.

Catch our faculty members as they share their research and expertise:

🔬 Dr. Cristy S. Acabado (PlanktoNiche Laboratory)
🌊 Dr. Sheila Santander-de Leon (Marine Ecology Laboratory)

Let's support our researchers as they help drive innovation for a stronger shellfish industry!

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗖𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲! 🦪✨

Excited na ba kayo, Labmates? 𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗢𝗚 𝗡𝗔 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚! 🌅

Pormal nang magbubukas bukas ang pinakamalaking National Oyster Conference sa bansa! Maghanda na sa MAS PINALAKI, MAS PINATINDI, at MAS PINA-EXCITING na 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗖𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲! 💯🔥

Ipinagmamalaki naming ipakilala ang powerhouse lineup ng ating mga iginagalang at mahuhusay na eksperto na gagabay sa ating talakayan para sa taong ito:

🔸 𝗗𝗿. 𝗥𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗼 𝗩. 𝗘𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮 | Executive Director, DOST-PCAARD
🔸 𝗝𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗹𝘆𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝗷𝗮 | Retired/Former Scientist, SEAFDEC/AQD
🔸 𝗗𝗿. 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝗿. | Central Philippine University
🔸 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗮-𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘀 | SEAFDEC
🔸 𝗗𝗿. 𝗗𝗲𝗼 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗱𝗮 | UP Marine Science Institute
🔸 𝗗𝗿. 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗼 | UP Marine Science Institute
🔸 𝗗𝗿. 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗱𝗼 | UP Visayas
🔸 𝗗𝗿. 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼 | UP Visayas
🔸 𝗗𝗿. 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗱𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻 | UP Visayas
🔸 𝗗𝗿. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗻𝗲 | ISUFST

Humanda sa mas malalalim na talakayan, makabuluhang pagbabahagi ng kaalaman, at mas malawak na selebrasyon para sa ating industriya! Huwag na huwag itong palampasin dahil tiyak na mapupuno ng bagong kaalaman at inspirasyon ang inyong pagdalo. 💡✨

Kita-kits bukas! 👋

📍 Where: 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹, 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆
📅 When: 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟴-𝟭𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟴:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠

🦪 For queries, email us at: [email protected]

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

Please pre-register through the link below or by scanning the QR code to confirm your participation:
🔗 Registration Link: https://forms.gle/Vm1RUCkmGFNuAops

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.

29/04/2026

What began as a master’s thesis is now evolving into tangible public service initiative geared towards advancing the sustainability of our marine resources and habitats, specifically our beloved Iloilo River!

This Public Service Project is supported by the UPV Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, implemented in strong collaboration with the City Government of Iloilo through the Office of the City Agriculturist.

20/03/2026

IMFO Science Stories

Tidal dynamics modulate microbial plankton abundance in Sibutu–Sitangkai and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi

How do tides shape life at the microscopic level? Our latest study reveals that tidal forces play a dominant role in structuring microbial plankton communities in the waters of Tawi-Tawi.

These findings highlight how tidal-driven hydrodynamics regulate productivity and ecosystem functioning in complex archipelagic systems like Tawi-Tawi.

Read the full study: https://tinyurl.com/4yazjeru

We keep it coming, bringing you more science stories from the sea.

16/03/2026

IMFO Science Stories

How does climate variability affect fish populations in the Philippines?

Our latest study shows that El Niño may lead to losses of round scad (galunggong) larvae in the Sulu Sea. Using hydrodynamic and particle-tracking models (Delft3D-FLOW and Delft3D-PART), researchers simulated how round scad ichthyoplankton disperse under different ENSO conditions, La Niña, Neutral, and El Niño.

Read the full article
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2026.1686580

13/03/2026

Highlights from the 𝘚𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘺𝘢𝘯 𝘚𝘦𝘢 𝘚𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘺 (SSS) Program Inception meeting held last 5 February at Visayas State University (VSU), Baybay City, Leyte 🎶🌊

Hosted by VSU, the gathering brought together officials and representatives from the Marine Resources Research Division of DOST-PCAARRD, Visayas State University, University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), and Romblon State University (RSU) as partner and co-implementing institutions of the program.

The meeting commenced with the welcoming message of VSU President Dr. Prose Ivy Yepes which encourages everyone with dynamics and camaraderie in conducting research activities. One of the important portions in the meeting is the ceremonial signing of Collaborative Research Agreements (CRA), symbolizing the commitment of partner universities and agencies to advance the marine science research and sustainable resource management in the Romblon Group of Islands.

Key updates were also presented on the DOST-GIA guidelines for projects, ensuring alignment with national research priorities and funding protocols, led by Dr. Mari-Ann M. Acedera. The program discussions highlighted three pioneering projects under the Sibuyan Sea Symphony Program: Project 1: Drums – led by Program and Project Leader Dr. Cristy S. Acabado; Project 2: Bass – headed by Dr. Karen Villarta-Lane; Project 3: FiFE – spearheaded by Dr. Donna Guarte-Valida. The PlanktoNiche Team also took part in the inception meeting, as represented by research personnels Ms. Maybelle A. Fortaleza, Mr. Josave D. Oczon, and Ms. Lovely Mae Conciles, under the leadership of the Principal Investigator of PNL, Dr. Cristy S. Acabado. Also in attendance were the Project Staff and faculty members from Romblon State University Mr. Vincent Jay H. Gado, Mr. Jeniel A. Santos, and Mr. Randy M. Gallano.

These initiatives aim to harmonize marine research efforts across institutions, fostering collaboration and innovation for the sustainable management of the Sibuyan Sea’s rich marine biodiversity and fisheries resources. We extend our gratitude to Visayas State University for hosting this milestone event and to all partner institutions for their unwavering support. Together, we look forward to orchestrating impactful research that resonates with communities and ecosystems alike.

“… Just like any musical notes, in Fisheries we can’t afford to be off tuned…”

12/03/2026

From the field to the page, here’s our latest IMFO Science Story.

The study shows that conch gleaning in the seagrass beds of Guimaras is often conducted by women during low tide and serves as an important subsistence fishery supporting coastal livelihoods. It also underscores the socioeconomic importance of this largely undocumented fishery while raising sustainability concerns due to declining conch abundance, suggesting the need for management measures such as size or harvest restrictions.

📖 Read the full article here: http://hdl.handle.net/10862/6627