Marine Ecology Laboratory

29/07/2026

24/07/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝘆𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗟𝗔𝗦 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀

The PERLAS (Pearl Oyster Ecological Research with Local Actors for Sustainability) Field Guide Series has been granted copyright registration by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and will soon be available for distribution.

(1) 2026-06063-A-TTCR – PERLAS (Pearl Oyster Ecological Research with Local Actors for Sustainability) Species Guide

(2) 2026-06057-A-TCCR – PERLAS (Pearl Oyster Ecological Research with Local Actors for Sustainability) LEK Assessment Guide

(3) 2026-06059-A-TCCR – PERLAS (Pearl Oyster Ecological Research with Local Actors for Sustainability) Underwater Assessment Guide

Authored by Dr. Sheila Mae S. Santander-de Leon, Project Leader of the PERLAS Diversity Project, together with Research Assistants Iñaki S. Reforma and Stephanie Faith A. Apines, the guide serves as a reference in the assessment of the diversity and ecology of pearl oysters in the Philippines.

The guide series was developed through the implementation of the "Species Distribution, Ecology, and Abundance of Pearl Oysters (Pteriidae) of the Philippines" (PERLAS Diversity Project), funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) through its Grants-in-Aid Program.

We thank the UPV Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (UPV TTBDO), especially Ms. Ferelyn Oliva, UPV TTBDO IP Officer, for their assistance in facilitating the copyright registration.

11/07/2026

UPDATES FROM THE ECO LAB!

Yesterday, the Marine Ecology Laboratory facilitated a training on sediment characteristics analysis and coral assessment for the OJT students of Northern Iloilo State University- Estancia, and Capiz State University- Dayao and Pontevedra. Wherein, the students identified macro- and meiofauna samples, conducted sediment grain size analysis, and experienced a simulation of rapid coral assessment.

We hope that this experience will help our students contribute to meaningful marine and coastal research.

Dive on with EcoLab 🤿

09/07/2026

Join us in shell-ebrating our MS Ocean Sciences graduates!

✨ Patrick Andre Fernandez – “Sediment Provenance of Nogas Island Beach and Miagao Beach, Philippines”
✨ Jirah P. Mamigo – “Habitat and Distribution of Windowpane Shell (𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘯𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢) recruits in Southern Iloilo, Philippines”
✨ Ellen Rose Torremoro – “Biofouling Diversity, Abundance, Distribution, and Ecology in Pearl Oyster Farms”

From studying coastal sediments to mapping vital marine habitats and tackling biofouling, the Marine Ecology Laboratory is immensely proud of your hard work and dedication towards completing your graduate journey! Big congratulations to Pat, Jai and Ellen!

Pagpupugay! 🎉🎊

30/06/2026

Congratulations, students! Dive on! 🌊

29/06/2026

THAT'S IT FOR WEEK 3!

For the third week of their On-the-Job Training, the third-year Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology (BSMB) students from Mindanao State University–Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO) continued gaining hands-on experience under the HyBeach Project with Justine Rivera and Gency Guirhem-Helican

Week 3 Highlights:
Day 1: Bathymetry Analysis
Day 2: Study Area Map Preparation
Day 3: Spatial Interpolation of Environmental Variables
Day 4: Remote Sensing Analysis of Sea Surface Temperature (SST)

Every day is an opportunity to strengthen our technical skills and contribute to meaningful marine and coastal research. Dive on with EcoLab! 🌊

26/06/2026

IN PHOTOS: The Marine Ecology Laboratory conducts a Training on Pearl Oyster Identification, Habitat Characterization, and the Conduct of Local Ecological Knowledge Surveys as part of PERLAS (Pearl Oyster Ecological Research with Local Actors for Sustainability) on June 26, 2026, at UP Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo.

The training brings together participants from POAS Guimaras and the Municipal Agriculture Offices of Nueva Valencia and San Lorenzo to strengthen local knowledge and collaboration in pearl oyster research, ecological monitoring, and the sustainable management of these valuable resources.

Dive on with EcoLab! 🤿

24/06/2026

WEEK 2 DONE! 🥳

For the second week of their OJT, the third-year Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology (BSMB) students from Mindanao State University–Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, conducted rapid assessment of the water quality and sediment properties through field and laboratory analysis. Today they’ve virtually presented their results from the said assessment and shared their insights gained from the training under the Boracay Project.

See you in week three! 🌊

17/06/2026

WEEK 1 DONE!

Third-year Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology (BSMB) OJT students from Mindanao State University–Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography share highlights and learnings from their first week of training under the Perlas Diversity Project, where they explored Pearl Oyster Taxonomy and Morphometrics.

Dive on! 🌊

11/06/2026

The Marine Ecology Laboratory warmly welcomes the 3rd Year Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology (BSMB) On-the-Job Training (OJT) students from Mindanao State University–Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography.

The practicum commenced on June 10, 2026 with a laboratory orientation led by Dr. Sheila Mae Santander-de Leon, Head of the Marine Ecology Laboratory.

Throughout the program, four students will gain hands-on training experience in three ongoing research projects under the laboratory:

🔵Pearl Oyster Taxonomy and Morphometrics Training (Perlas Diversity Project)

🟢Water and Sediment Quality Analysis Training (Boracay Project)

🟡Remote Sensing Training (Hybeach Project)

We look forward to a productive and enriching month with our future marine biologists!