Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, CFOS, UPV

29/10/2026

UPV CFOS IMFO joins the virtual convening of the Scientific Advisory Panel under the Iloilo Province Executive Order No. 72-2026 in relation to marine mammal conservation in the Province of Iloilo last October 28, 2026 via Zoom. UPV representatives present in the meeting were Dr. Cristy S. Acabado, IMFO Director, and Precious Nikola Gaurana of the IMFO-Quick Response Team.

26/10/2026

Join the Graduate School and Graduate School Student Council for a collaborative webinar this coming November.
🗣️ PRESENT and FLOURISH: Disseminating Research in Scientific Conferences
🗓️ Date: November 14, 2026 (Saturday)
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM
🎙️ Speaker:
Prof. Nathaniel C. Añasco, Ph.D.
School Secretary, Graduate School (GS)
University of the Philippines Visayas
📌 Don’t miss this insightful session!
🔗 Register here:

14 Nov 2026 Webinar by Dr. Nathaniel Anasco

19/10/2026

Welcome back, Dr. Dominique Mediodia! 🎉

To mark his return, Dr. Mediodia delivered an insightful lecture titled “Philippine Paleoichthyology: New Discoveries and Future Directions.” He introduced students to the fascinating world of fish fossils, highlighting recent breakthroughs in Philippine paleoichthyology and shedding light on exciting new research opportunities—particularly in the Caraga region. 🐟🦴

Here’s to pioneering new frontiers in science and inspiring the next generation of researchers. Welcome home, Dr. Mediodia! 🙌🔬

16/10/2026

PNL seas IFS 2026 🌊✨

The PlanktoNiche Laboratory under the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, actively participated in the 14th International Fisheries Symposium with the theme “One Blue ASEAN Fisheries for the Future,” held on 12–15 October 2026, at the Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo City.

Twelve scientific papers were presented, including three competing entries for the student oral and poster categories:

📌Effects of Fine-Scale Hydrography on Zooplankton Abundance, Distribution, and Community Structure in Caluya Island, Antique, Philippines [Oral – Competing]
Presenting Author: Josave D. Oczon
Co-author: C.S. Acabado

🏆Integrating Social Dimensions to understand Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management Effectiveness Better: The Case of Three MPAs in Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape, southern Philippines [Oral – Competing]
Presenting Author: Maybelle A. Fortaleza
Co-authors: J.L. Morales, J.P. Cabasan, R.B. Sobradil, K.L. Labrador, C.L. Nañola Jr., B.R. Samaniego, E.N.T. Cando III, & M.D.M. Arboleda

📌Reproductive Biology of the Wild Gold-lip Pearl Oyster Pinctada maxima (Jameson, 1901) in Carles, Northern Iloilo, Philippines [Oral – Regular]
Presenting Author: Severino C. Agliam III
Co-authors: J.E.C. Roma, N.J.S. Lagare-Sastine, K.A. Villarta-Lane, & C.S. Acabado

📌Morphometry and Growth Parameters of Wild Gold-lip Pearl Oyster Pinctada maxima (Jameson, 1901) in Carles, Iloilo, Philippines [Oral – Regular]
Presenting Author: John Edrian C. Roma
Co-authors: S.C. Agliam III, K.A. Villarta-Lane, & C.S. Acabado

📌Zooplankton Abundance, Composition, and Distribution during the Habagat Season in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras [Oral – Regular]
Presenting Author: Rea Mae Ann L. Tuvillara
Co-author: G.L. Guirhem-Helican & C.S. Acabado

📌Long-Term Variability of Sea Surface Temperature Fronts and Their Association with Fishing Activity in the Sibuyan and Visayan Seas, Philippines [Oral – Regular]
Presenting Author: Gency L. Guirhem-Helican
Co-authors: C.S. Acabado

📌Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Ichthyoplankton Abundance and Diversity in the Mag-aba Marine Protected Area in Pandan, Antique [Poster – Competing]
Presenting Author: Mae Dell S. Silfavan
Co-author: C.S. Acabado

📌Physicochemical Properties of Wild Gold-lip Pearl Oyster Pinctada maxima (Jameson, 1901) in Western Visayas, Philippines [Poster – Regular]
Presenting Author: Shophia Lyn A. Andicoy
Co-authors: M.K.L. Apaya, S.G. Sabinay, & C.S. Acabado

📌Reproductive Biology of the Mangrove Clam Pegophysema philippiana (Reeve 1850) in Panobolon, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, Philippines [Poster – Regular]
Presenting Author: Hannah Jane S. Parreñas
Co-authors: K.A. Villarta-Lane & C.S. Acabado

📌Fisheries Profile of Batbatan Island, Culasi, Antique, Philippines [Poster – Regular]
Presenting Author: Dr. Karen A. Villarta-Lane
Co-authors: L.J.S. Sebuan, R.M.A.L. Tuvillara, J.L. Morales, & C.S. Acabado

📌Pilot Lipidome Analysis of Dominant Zooplankton Species (Acartia spp.) Across Shoreline Zonations of Mag-aba Marine Protected Area in Pandan, Antique
Presenting Author: Dr. Cristy S. Acabado
Co-authors: F.O. De Castro & M.K.L. Apaya

📌First Record of the Pea Crab Celotheres villosulus (Guérin, 1832) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) as a Symbiont of the Pearl Oyster Pinctada maxima in the Philippines
Presenting Author: Dr. Cristy S. Acabado
Co-authors: S.C. Agliam III & J.E.C. Roma

Ms. Maybelle A. Fortaleza, a PhD Fisheries student under PNL, bagged first place in the Student Oral Competition under the Fisheries Governance and Policy (FISHGOV) Category for her MS Thesis presentation from UPLB-SESAM. 🏆

Beyond research presentations, the laboratory also welcomed international guests as part of the IFS 2026 Educational Tour, including Professor Emeritus Dr. Patrick Sorgeloos from Ghent University, Belgium.🌏

PNL extends its sincere gratitude to DOST-PCAARRD for their invaluable support in making our research projects and conference participation possible. 🫶🙌

Congratulations to the entire PlanktoNiche Laboratory on a successful run at IFS 2026! 🎉🥳

Here’s to advancing marine science, fostering collaborations, and continuing our commitment to sustainable fisheries! 🥂🔬🐟

Check out some of our IFS highlights in the photos below. 📸

16/10/2026

USLS 🤝 UPV for MARINE MAMMALS OF ILOILO STRAIT. University of St. La Salle has partnered with University of the Philippines Visayas for strengthened monitoring of marine mammals in Iloilo Strait and our research team, together with BFAR Region 6, has just concluded our 2nd quarterly survey. Iloilo Strait is a vital habitat for endangered marine wildlife such as the Irrawaddy dolphins, dugongs, whale sharks, and sea turtles that need constant research and monitoring so that they can be conserved better for a healthier marine ecosystem.

09/10/2026

IMFO SCIENCE STORIES

Delighted to share another important contribution by IMFO Assistant Professor Dominique Mediodia.

This study explores 5-million-year-old fossilized fish earstones (otoliths) from Cabarruyan Island in the Northern Philippines which acts like tiny ocean diaries to reconstruct ancient marine ecosystems, uncover new fish species, and reveal West Pacific Ocean dynamics during the Early Pliocene.

Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/30891

06/10/2026

IMFO SCIENCE STORIES

We keep it coming!

We’re excited to share another important contribution authored by IMFO Assistant Professor Dominique Mediodia!

This study uses high-resolution micro-CT scanning to show how fish earstones (otoliths) evolved alongside swim bladders, helping researchers decode underwater hearing in both modern and fossil species.

Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1111/cla.70054

05/10/2026

IMFO SCIENCE STORIES

We’re sharing another important contribution co-authored by IMFO Assistant Professor Jonalyn P. Mateo!

This book chapter is titled: “Grappling with Biosecurity Challenges: Identifying and Mitigating Biosecurity Risks in the Indonesian Seaweed Aquaculture Industry.”

It explores critical biosecurity risks behind seaweed production declines and highlights key solutions such as using healthy seedling cultivation, AI and drone disease detection, biostimulants, and ecosystem-based management.

Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1079/9781836990246.0011

26/09/2026

IMFO joins BFAR-VI in the Malinis at Masaganang Katubigan (MMK) 2.0 Advocacy Run at SM City Iloilo.

Today’s Advocacy Run is part of the Bureau’s Information and Education Campaign (IEC) aimed to raise public awareness and support for the enhanced MMK Program, encourage active participation in the conservation and protection of aquatic resources, and promote collective action toward clean, healthy, and sustainably managed coastal and inland waters.

Congratulations, IMFO for finishing strong! 💪

22/09/2026