With its aim to elevate the academic and research landscape in fisheries and marine sciences through robust educational exchanges, the 1st International Conference on Responsible Fisheries and Sustainable Aquaculture set sail on July 3-5, 2024 at Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. 

𝙁𝙄𝙍𝙎𝙏 𝘿𝘼𝙔 𝙆𝙄𝘾𝙆 𝙊𝙁𝙁

Starting off with the singing of the national anthem of the Philippines and the participating countries such as Turkiye, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the conference set the tone with Mindanao State University (MSU) System President and MSU Main Campus Chancellor Atty. Basari D. Mapupuno, Provincial Consultant on Fisheries and Executive Director of Macajalar Bay Development Authority Mr. Teodoro Bacolod delivering the message of Misamis Oriental Hon. Gov. Peter M. Unabia, and Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Rector Prof. Ramazan Cüneyt Erenoglu delivering their messages. MSU at Naawan Chancellor Dr. Elnor C. Roa presented the rationale of the conference and welcomed the delegates from several universities.

Keynote speaker Commission on Higher Education Chairman Prof. J. Prospero E. de Vera III through pre-recorded video and Department of Science and Technology Region X Director Engr. Romela N. Ratilla, DPA delivered their messages highlighting the significance of the conference in the fisheries and marine science sectors.

Additionally, the conference acknowledged and awarded five exchange students to Turkey under the Philippine-Turkey Project on the Development of Academic Exchange Programs focusing on Fisheries and Marine Science.

Delegates had the opportunity to view and browse both competing and non-competing poster presentations before the afternoon session commenced.

During the afternoon session, four plenary speakers covered diverse areas of fisheries and marine science. Dr. Emre Keskin from Ankara University, Turkey, presented on “Echoes of Biodiversity: How eDNA Metabarcoding Amplifies Conservation Efforts.” Prof. Dr. Sebahattin Ergün of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Turkey, discussed “Natural Fish Feed Additives in Health and Immunity.” Prof. Dr. Khor Waiho from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu addressed “Adapting to the Heat: Understanding Climate Change Impacts on Mud Crabs for Sustainable Aquaculture.” Lastly, Prof. Kyoko Kusakabe from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, spoke on “Empowering Women for Sustainable Seas: Gender-Inclusive Strategies in Fisheries and Aquaculture Management.”

Simultaneously, parallel sessions were held in breakout rooms where delegates from various universities presented their studies aligned with conference themes: Aquaculture Sustainability and Innovation; Responsible Fisheries Management; Aquatic Health and Disease Management; Environmental Conservation and Biodiversity; and Socioeconomic and Community Aspects.

𝙈𝙄𝙎 𝙊𝙍’𝙎 𝙉𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏

Mis Or’s Night dazzled attendees with elegant traditional and formal attires, celebrating cultural appreciation in a vibrant display. The ceremony started off with a captivating musical presentation by the Koro Kaayad Kaligaon, serenading the audience with their heavenly voices. This was followed by a heartfelt welcoming message from Prof. Renoir Marino A. Abrea, MSUN Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension.

A highlight of the evening was the launching of the newly approved Centers at MSU at Naawan. Principal Investigator Dr. Rey Y. Capangpangan inaugurated the Microplastics Center, aimed at advancing scientific understanding, innovating solutions, and promoting awareness regarding microplastic pollution. This center is set to increase public awareness through educational programs and advocate for effective policies and sustainable practices through interdisciplinary collaboration. 

“It is in the best interest of the MSU system to establish the Center for Microplastics Research and Innovation, the first in the Philippines,” Dr. Capangpangan emphasized.

Following this, Dr. Venus Leopardas, Principal Investigator of the eDNA Project, introduced the eDNA Center. This center aims to harness the potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to revolutionize biodiversity monitoring, ecological research, and conservation practices in the region and throughout the Philippines. The establishment of these centers aims to centralize expertise and resources, ensure long-term sustainability, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, enhance education and outreach, influence policy, and build networks and partnerships.

After the launching, participants enjoyed a delightful dinner while being entertained by Indak Kalaunan’s performances of various Philippine cultural dances and traditional songs by Koro Kaayad Kaligaon. These performances highlighted the rich cultural heritage and allowed participants to appreciate cultural differences, showcasing how local fishermen celebrate a bountiful harvest.

The night also featured a talent showcase, where representatives from different institutions displayed their singing and dancing skills. A fashion show spotlighted the elegant traditional Filipino attires, showcasing the rich diversity of ethnic backgrounds.

The event concluded with the awarding of presentations and best attire, wrapping up an evening of cultural appreciation, innovation, and community spirit.

𝘿𝙄𝙎𝘾𝙐𝙎𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉𝙎 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝘾𝙇𝙊𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙂

The second day of the conference commenced with the Stakeholders Forum, featuring a presentation by Director Edward B. Yasay of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region X, who outlined BFAR’s role and contributions to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

Following Director Yasay, Dr. Jericardo S. Mondragon, Chief of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – National Mariculture Center (BFAR-NMC), discussed BFAR-NMC’s interventions in support of Mariculture Park Development in the Philippines.

Mr. Daniel V. Cabrera, National Sales Manager of Santeh Feeds Corporation, a sponsor of ICORFASA, concluded the series of talks by sharing Santeh’s commitment to “Quality Feeds for Sustainable Aquaculture.”

Subsequently, the three speakers joined Assoc. Prof. Kaent Immanuel Uba for a panel discussion on responsible fisheries and sustainable aquaculture.

Following this session, parallel sessions took place in various breakout rooms where delegates presented their papers in competing and non-competing categories through both oral and poster presentations.

For the closing ceremony, here are the winners for the competing category in poster presentation:

𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 – 𝗔𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗔, 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗝𝗼𝘆 for the paper 𝙄𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙀𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩-𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘽𝙞𝙤𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙘 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙜 𝙎𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙥, 𝙋𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙚𝙪𝙨 𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙞 

𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 – 𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔, 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆𝗻 for the paper 𝙉𝙪𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙡𝙮 (𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙖 𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙨) 𝙇𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙨 𝙋𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙙

𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 – 𝗔Ñ𝗢𝗥𝗔, 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖. for the paper 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙀𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙁𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙘𝙤, 𝘽𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙮𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙮𝙤𝙜, 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙖𝙣, 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙣, 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨

Meanwhile, these are the winners for the oral presentation: 

𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 – 𝗧𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦, 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗲 for the paper 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: 𝘼 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙙𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙊𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙊𝙛 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙣-𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝘽𝙞𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙆𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙮𝙘𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙫𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙯𝙞𝙞

𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 – 𝗟𝗘𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗔, 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 for the paper 𝙎𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙮 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨: 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙈𝙪𝙘𝙪𝙨 𝙊𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙨𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙎𝙬𝙖𝙢𝙥 𝙀𝙚𝙡 (𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙗𝙪𝙨) 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙋𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙨

𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 – 𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗢, 𝗔𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗹 for the paper 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝘿𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙀𝙭𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙃𝙖𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙡 𝙇𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙨 𝙄𝙣 𝙕𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤 (𝙃𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙩𝙤𝙣, 1822)

Additionally, Dr. Elnor C. Roa addressed the Phil-Turkiye project, expressing gratitude to partner universities for their support and expressing hope for expanded collaboration in the project’s upcoming phase 3.

Following this, partner universities pledged their support, followed by closing remarks from Dr. Rey Y. Capangpangan, overall steering committee chairperson from MSU at Naawan, who acknowledged the efforts of the organizing committees and the participation of delegates, underscoring the success of ICORFASA.

A video presentation highlighting the event’s key moments concluded the conference, encompassing discussions, talks, and presentations.

In summary, the inaugural ICORFASA facilitated the gathering of researchers, academia, scientists, and stakeholders to exchange knowledge, expertise, and practices in responsible fisheries and sustainable aquaculture.