iCUES Mussel Project

06/10/2026

𝐢𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 | 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐕𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝. 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝. 🌊💚

Congratulations to our new Fisheries Professionals for successfully passing the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧!

This milestone reflects your hard work, perseverance, and dedication to the profession. As you begin this new chapter, may you continue to navigate greater waters, embrace new opportunities, and make meaningful waves in the fisheries sector.

𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐓𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮! 🫵🏻💚

14/08/2026

28/07/2026

Congratulations to our Undergraduate Student Collaborators! 🎓

The 𝐢𝐂𝐔𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 proudly congratulates our undergraduate student collaborators from 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧 and 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐳 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 – 𝐏𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 on this well-deserved achievement. We are grateful to have witnessed your growth not only as students but also as aspiring researchers who willingly embraced every opportunity to learn.

Thank you for being part of the iCUES Mussel Project—we are incredibly proud of all that you have accomplished and look forward to seeing the great things you will achieve in the years ahead.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬! 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐂𝐔𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐧. 💚

16/06/2026

Malinis at safe nga ba kainin ang paborito nating tahong?

08/04/2026

𝐢𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 | The iCUES-Mussel Project held a stakeholders’ meeting and Focus Group Discussion (FGD), bringing together project partners and key stakeholders to discuss project updates and strengthen collaboration, at PFO-Aklan on April 7, 2026.

The activity was led by Project Leader Mr. Adzel Adrian G. Baldevieso and attended by collaborators from Aklan State University – New Washington, including Mr. Modesto Melden B. Intoy, Ms. Sharolen Jean B. Leyson, and Mr. Ryan M. Basina, as well as Ms. Ma. Shirley M. Goles from the University of the Philippines Visayas, and Project Technical Aide Gianelle F. Grana. Also present are local municipal staff sorrounding the Batan Bay area — Sir Christian Nabayra (Aquaculturist II, New Washington), Ms. Rose Marie Pacis (Aquacultural Technologist, Batan), and Ms. Jonalyn Turang (Agricultural Technologist, Altavas) — and Mr. El T. More (Aquaculturist I/Technical Staff, BFAR 6).

On the same day, a Focus Group Discussion was conducted with mussel farmers in Aklan to gather insights on current practices, challenges, and recommendations. The activity aimed to support data-driven strategies and reinforce collaborative efforts to improve mussel production and sustainability in the region.

26/03/2026

𝐢𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 | Mr. Alvin T. Bolo, Project Technical Aide of the iCUES-Mussel Project, shared his expertise and field experience in plankton research as a guest lecturer at Samar State University–Mercedes Campus on March 25, 2026.

Bolo discussed key methodologies for plankton sample collection, emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate techniques to obtain reliable and representative data. He also explained essential laboratory procedures and techniques for proper sample processing, highlighting standard practices that ensure sample integrity and accuracy of results.

In addition, he demonstrated methods for the accurate identification of plankton species, providing participants with practical insights into distinguishing various plankton groups. Mr. Bolo is assigned in Samar under the supervision of Sir Jerson C. Sorio, Acting Campus Director of SSU-Samar, and serves as a Project Member of the iCUES-Mussel Project.

The project, in general, is conducted in collaboration with Samar State University to advance green mussel cultivation in the region, strengthen technical competencies, and promote sustainable aquaculture practices.

07/03/2026

26/02/2026

𝐓𝐀𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐃𝐀 | The iCUES Mussel Project, together with the DOST-PCAARRD IARRD team, visited Maqueda Bay, Samar, on February 25, 2026, to observe green mussel farming in the area & assess the project’s sampling stations in the bay.

By being on-site, science meets community — helping advance sustainable aquaculture and stronger coastal livelihoods! 🔬💚

26/02/2026

𝐢𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 | The iCUES Mussel Project team held a courtesy visit at Samar State University on February 24, 2026, together with the DOST-PCAARRD IARRD team. The activity also included key university officials, Dr. Redentor S. Palencia, SSU President; Dr. Vivian Moya, IPTBDO Director; and Dr. Felisa E. Gomba, Vice President for Research and Extension. Also present were Ms. Zeny Gabane and Mr. Benito Luis Diocton, EVCCRD staff, and Mr. Marcneil Ocenar, Accountant from Samar State University; and Sir Jerson C. Sorio, iCUES-Mussel Project Staff and Acting Campus Director of SSU - Mercedes.

The courtesy visit was followed by a stakeholders’ meeting, bringing together project collaborators and partners to discuss project updates and accomplishments, share insights, and strengthen strategies for sustainable green mussel farming in the region. Partnerships like these ensure that science, community, and sustainability go hand in hand!

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀 𝐒𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐆!

26/02/2026

𝐢𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐀𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐂𝐔𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫

The iCUES Mussel Project successfully conducted a Focus Group Discussion with local mussel farmers and key stakeholders in Jiabong, Samar on February 23, 2026.

The activity was led by Asst. Prof. Adzel Adrian G. Baldevieso, Project Leader, together with Alvin T. Bolo, Project Technical Aide. Also present were collaborators from Samar State University–Mercedes Campus: Sir Jeson C. Sorio, Sir Krisanto L. Bacnutan, and Sir Jackey Boy C. Basal. Also in attendance was Ma’am Susan L. Peña, Municipal Agriculture Officer of LGU Jiabong.

The discussion provided an avenue for mussel farmers to share their experiences, current practices, and challenges in green mussel production. Insights gathered from the dialogue will contribute to the project’s ongoing research on improving harvest efficiency and strengthening sustainable aquaculture practices.

This initiative highlights iCUES’ commitment to science-driven solutions grounded in community collaboration.

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐠! 💚