We celebrate Philippine Wetlands Day

Manila, Philippines – Wetlands are among the most biologically diverse systems in the world and are comparable to tropical rain forests and coral reefs in the diversity of species they support. They provide many benefits, including water quality improvement, food and habitat for fish, flood control, and recreation. To raise public awareness about the importance and value of wetlands,... 

Puerto Princesa Underground River declared as ‘Wetland of International Importance’

Manila, Philippines – The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) has been declared “Wetland of International Importance” by the Swiss-based Ramsar Convention on Wetlands on October 28, 2012. Its inclusion as Ramsar Site No. 2084 is the fifth for the Philippines; the other four sites are Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Mindanao, Naujan Lake National Park in Oriental Mindoro,... 

Boosting the Philippine fisheries sector

Manila, Philippines – More government attention is being given the country’s fisheries sector. The aim is to replenish fish populations in key marine biodiversity areas nationwide. On October 17, 2012, the Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the five-year (2012-2017)... 

BBC’s ‘Blue Planet’ kicks off today on GMA News TV

Manila, Philippines – FOLLOWING the ratings success of the Philippine free TV airing of Planet Earth, GMA News TV premieres a new, groundbreaking natural history series by the BBC today – “The Blue Planet.” Incoming search terms:gma news tv bbc (1)planet earth gma news tv may 4 (1) Read More »

Seagrass ecocystem

Manila, Philippines – Seagrasses are seed-producing marine plants that usually inhabit sandy and soft-bottom areas thriving in the shallow waters lining the shore. They are the only group of submerged flowering plants in tropical and marine environments. Vast meadows are often found as an intermediary ecosystem between coral reefs and the coastal mangroves.  Read More »

‘Coral Triangle’ highly threatened – report

Manila, Philippines – About 85 percent of reefs in the Coral Triangle, encompassing Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste, are highly threatened by local human activities, a new report revealed.  Read More »

Coral conservation (3)

Manila, Philippines – THE study published recently in Science Daily showed the new data reported by a team of international scientists predicting the future for coral reefs, and for planning how society will cope in that future.  Read More »

Coral Conservation (3)

Manila, Philippines – The study published recently in Science Daily showed the new data reported by a team of international scientists predicting the future for coral reefs, and for planning how society will cope in that future.  Read More »

Ocean Month, Biodiversity Day marked

Manila, Philippines – The twin celebrations of National Month of the Ocean and International Day of Biological Diversity (Biodiversity) on May 22, 2012 highlight the significance of marine resources to human life, and how they sustain each other. The themes are “Buhay Dagat, Buhay Natin” for Ocean Month and “Marine Biodiversity” for the International Day of Biodiversity. Incoming... 

Coral conservation (2)

Manila, Philippines – Coral reefs are often called the “rainforests of the sea”, and one of the oldest ecosystems on Earth. Coral reefs form an important part of the tropical marine biology. The coral reefs maintain a balance of life with the mangrove and sea grass ecosystems near the coastal shores. Many marine creatures spend their lives moving from mangrove ecosystems...