It is now recognized that some aspects of oceanography, the study of oceans, are essential in understanding the dynamics of shallow marine waters surrounding land.
This is especially true of the Philippines, which is cut up into separate islands or group of islands. For example, oceanic currents play an important role in the distribution of marine propagules in coastal areas,, and the nature of the ocean floor is responsible for the phenomenon of upwelling that results in high production of plankton and fishes at various trophic levels. Part of this production is exported to coastal areas.
The Silliman marine biology program has initiated a study on oceanography that shows the role of ocean currents in the distribution of fish larvae, but there is a need to look at the deeper parts of marine waters to find what resources exist there.
During my active days of scuba diving, I found schools of jacks at more than 150 feet deep off Cebu. Recently, Dr. Rene Abesamis of the SU Angelo King Center for Research & Environmental Management showed a video of the deeper parts of Apo Island where certain fish species are found. Fishermen using traps in deeper water off Dumaguete catch some species of fish that are apparently limited to these depths.
A study off Apo Reef off the coast of Mindoro by Dr. F. Siringan of the University of the Philippines shows fish at deeper mesophotic reef. But the question is, what is the biomass of these fish? Are they sufficient for the people’s needs in the event that global warming will destroy fish habitats and shallow water fisheries in the future?
There is a need to study deeper parts of the marine environment, including the mesophotic reefs, using oceanographic techniques.
It is in this regard that we appreciate the efforts of Commission on Higher Education and Silliman University President Ben S. Malayang III to link our marine program to those of certain UK universities. Our experience shows that such research linkage with Prof. Garry Russ of James Cook University in Australia has tremendously enriched our marine biology research program.
The CHED and the British Council invited presidents and representatives of 10 Philippine universities to convene on Nov. 20-25 in London to discuss with their counterparts in universities in the United Kingdom that are interested in joint and collaborative academic programs. Silliman University was one of these universities. President Malayang and I represented Silliman University in this conference.
Our suggestion for the Silliman joint and collaborative research and exchange of faculty and students with the UK universities was in the two academic areas of Oceanography and Nursing. We talked with representatives of two UK universities about programs in these academic fields. These joint and collaborative programs will begin early next year.
In the meantime for the next two months, we will be working on the details of these innovative international programs with the departments/colleges concerned in these two academic areas. President Malayang continues the consultation with CHED and the British Council.
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Author’s email: suakcrem@yahoo.com
