The Biology department of Silliman University is set to collaborate with Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi and the UP Marine Science Institute on a three-year project funded by the Department of Science & Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic & Natural Resources Research & Development to understand the ecology, reproductive biology, and culture of sea cucumbers (Stichopus cf. horrens) for sustainable production.
According to Dr. Nadia Palomar-Abesamis, head of the Silliman research team, the research aims to examine the ecology, diversity, and reproductive biology of the sea cucumber in key sites within Negros.
“The project works on a commercially-important invertebrate species that can directly improve the culture of the species, its fishery, and the coastal communities that rely on it for food and livelihood,” she said on email.
“Some expected outcomes are scientific publications on the biology, ecology and culture of Stichopus cf. horrens, knowledge products on the species, graduate student development, and training workshops,” she added.
The collaborative project was approved during the DOST Governing Council meeting last year in Los Baños, Laguna.
PCAARRD is finalizing the memorandum of agreement among the collaborating institutions. (SU OIP)
