National Scientist Edgardo Gomez, a pioneer in marine conservation in the Philippines, died on Dec. 1, the Department of Science and Technology announced. He was 81.
Gomez was a researcher, scientist, conservation advocate and educator in various fields, including invertebrate biology and ecology; giant clam culture and restoration; and coral reef assessment and conservation.
Born November 7, 1938, Gomez was conferred the rank of National Scientist of the Philippines in 2014 and was professor emeritus for marine biology at the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute.
He is the uncle of former Manila Standard chairman Philip Romualdez, and sister of Juliette Gomez-Romualdez. His remains currently lie in state at Santuario de San Antonio Parish in Makati City, with burial scheduled at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Dr. Gomez saw the need to protect the Philippine archipelago's vast marine resources, in particular that of coral reefs. He led the world’s first national-scale assessment of damage to coral reefs, leading to international conservation initiatives such as the replanting of corals.
He also pioneered giant clam (Tridacna gigas) breeding stationed in Bolinao, Pangasinan and other protective areas for coastal communities of the Philippines.
Among his most notable works were his contributions in the baseline mapping of the Philippines, which included the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea.
In 2007, he pioneered the study on ocean acidification caused by increased levels of absorbed carbon dioxide in the ocean.
His contributions and research on marine ecosystems became the basis for management of conservation programs for the country’s marine resources.
His pioneering research on the extent of damage to coral reefs resulted in worldwide conservation initiatives, such as the Global Reefs and Risk Analysis, Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network and the International Coral Reef Action.
Gomez was founding director of the UP Marine Science Institute, a world-class research and teaching institution in marine science and an internationally renowned center of excellence for national and scientific initiatives.
He finished Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Education, summa cum laude, at De La Salle University in 1962; Master of Science in Biology at St. Mary’s University Minnesota in 1967; and Doctor in Marine Biology at the University of California San Diego in 1973.
Gomez served as member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Western Society of Naturalists, World Mariculture Society, National Research Council of the Philippines and the International Society for Reef Studies.
He was awarded the Global 500 Roll of Honor by the United Nations Environment Program in 1989; Outstanding Filipino in Science (Marine Biology) by the Philippine Jaycee Senate in 1992; Outstanding Science Administrator by the Department of Science and Technology in 1996; Gregorio Y. Zara Award (Basic Science) by the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science in 1998; and the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award by the Philippine Civil Service Commission in 2000.
He was elected as a member of the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines in 1993.