The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recently joined the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in a research project on the establishment of baseline biodiversity data at the Kalayaan Island Group.
According to PCG’s post, its Marine Science Group, in collaboration with UP’s Marine Science Institute and the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau, will evaluate the diversity and community structure of seaweeds, mollusks, and other benthic invertebrates from February 22 to 28.
The team will also document the biodiversity, abundance, and distribution of seagrasses on Pagasa Island’s reef flat, conduct mollusk surveys to better understand habitat interactions, and identify and map priority sites for reef restoration.
This would be a “prelude to a series of activities to rehabilitate the coral reefs and other marine ecosystems in the West Philippine Sea,” according to Commodore May Marfil, PCG Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Marine Environmental Protection.
“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,” Marfil said.