Overview
Alongside its steadfast commitment to Life on Land, Sorsogon State University (SorSU) places equally paramount importance on its role as a custodian dedicated to safeguarding and protecting Life Below Water.
The University is relentless in its pursuit of implementing strategies, leading initiatives, supporting sustainable practices, and spearheading studies designed to preserve and enhance aquatic ecosystems and marine environments. Notably, SorSU strictly adheres to guidelines for water-sensitive waste disposal, guaranteeing that water quality is maintained and marine pollution is reduced.
Further, the academe demonstrates a plethora of research projects on Life Below Water, including studies on microplastics in local plastics; mangrove reforestation, protection, and conservation; diversity of marine species, etc. The institution also offers educational programs on freshwater ecosystems, such as water irrigation practices and water management for local and national communities, as well as community outreach programs on sustainable management of fisheries/aquaculture.
To that extent, SorSU has launched its own botany research center called Herbarium Sorsogonense (HS), the only globally acknowledged repository of plant specimens in the Bicol Region and one of the 24 registered and active herbaria in the country, as recognized by the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP). This initiative supports SDG 14 by contributing to the conservation of marine biodiversity as SorSU-HS mainly focuses on marine algae, supplemented by a variety of local terrestrial plants.
Through this comprehensive approach, SorSU actively contributes to the preservation and protection of aquatic ecosystems, cultivating a sustainable future for Life Below Water.
FEATURED STORY
SorSU and Kochi University start exploratory talk on marine research initiatives
On August 16, 2024, Sorsogon State University, represented by Dr. Ryan V. Dio (Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training), in lieu of SUC President III, Dr. Geraldine F. De Jesus, hosted an exploratory discussion on marine science initiatives with Kochi University, represented by Dr. Satoshi Kubota.
Held at the SorSU Boardroom, Sorsogon City Campus, the meeting aimed to discuss potential collaborative efforts and facilitate the exchange of expertise and ideas in marine science. This engagement was part of SorSU’s goal of forging international partnerships and enhancing its research capabilities.
Highlights
DATA 2023-2024
– Selection of fast-growing seaweed cultivars in Palawan, Philippines
– New Record of Gracilaria phuquocensis (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta) in the Philippines
– Seaweed diversification driven by Taiwan’s emergence and the Kuroshio Current: insights from the cryptic diversity and phylogeography of Dichotomaria (galaxauraceae, Rhodophyta)
– Seaweed crop insurance in Sorsogon
– Mangrove Reforestation, Protection, and Conservation Initiatives: The Case of Sorsogon Bay Rompeolas, Philippines (Mangroves support marine life)
DATA 2022-2023
Seaweed diversification driven by Taiwan’s emergence and the Kuroshio Current: Insights from the red alga Dichotomaria elegans comb. Nov. (Galaxauraceae, nemaliales)
Temporal prevalence and intensity of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) ectoparasites in SSU ponds
Revisiting the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Management in Magallanes, Sorsogon: Basis for Expansion, Re-delineation, and Sustainability (now: Interpretive enforcement in Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) in Magallanes, Sorsogon: Inputs to buffer coastal and fisheries resources’ vulnerabilities and future environmental conditions)
Seaweed Fish Baits in Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines
Revisiting the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Management in Magallanes, Sorsogon: Basis for Expansion, Re-delineation, and Sustainability (Completed Paper for Project 1: Coral Reef Habitat Assessment in Magallanes Sorsogon: Basis for Expansion and Re-delineation of Existing Marine Protected Area (MPA))
Sardines Fishery Losses in Magallanes, Sorsogon, Philippines: An Economic Valuation with Implications to Post-Harvest Losses (Completed Paper 1: Assessment of Sardines Fishing Operations with Economic Valuation of Post-Harvest Fish Losses (PHFL) in Magallanes, Sorsogon, Philippines)
Sardines Fishery Losses in Magallanes, Sorsogon, Philippines: An Economic Valuation with Implications to Post-Harvest Losses (Completed Paper 2: Value Chain Analysis of Sardines Fishery with Implications to Post-Harvest Fish Losses (PHFL) in Magallanes, Sorsogon, Philippines)
Sardines Fishery Losses in Magallanes, Sorsogon, Philippines: An Economic Valuation with Implications to Post-Harvest Losses (Completed Paper 3: Socio-Economic Sensitivity of Fisherfolks on Post-Harvest Fish Losses (PHFL): A Perceived Socio-Economic Threats in Stakeholders in Magallanes, Sorsogon, Philippines)
Mangrove Reforestation, Protection and Conservation Initiatives: the Case of Sorsogon Bay Rompeolas
Abundance and characteristics of microplastic in Cultured Green mussels Perna viridis in Sorsogon Bay, Philippines
Microplastic: A Preliminary Report in the River Environments of Sorsogon Bay
Suspended Microplastic in Sorsogon Bay Attributing Perna viridis and Atrina pectinata Contamination
Phylogeny and genetic diversity of the Philippine eucheumatoid genus Mimica (Solieriaceae, Rhodophyta), and the proposal for Kappaphycopsis gen. nov. to include the anomalous species of Kappaphycus, K. cottonii
Molecular Identification of Alginolytic Bacteria from Sargassum polycystum (Sargassaceae, Ochrophyta) Collected from Calatagan, Batangas, Philippines
Ethnobotany of Medicinal Seaweeds of Ilocos Norte, Philippines
The Diversity of Eucheumatoid Seaweed Cultivars in the Philippines
Sardines Fishery Losses in Magallanes, Sorsogon, Philippines: An Economic Valuation with Implications to Post-Harvest Losses (Completed Paper 2: Value Chain Analysis of Sardines Fishery with Implications to Post-Harvest Fish Losses (PHFL) in Magallanes, Sorsogon, Philippines)
DATA 2023-2024
Supporting aquatic ecosystems through education
Fresh-water ecosystems (community outreach)
– Narrative Report for the Tilapia Fry Dispersal
– FishCon2024 – Proposal
– FishCon Accomplishment Report
– Article: From Spark to Waves, We’re Making Marine History
– Reel: Blue Dive Activity
– Article: Kicking Off the Month of the Ocean 2025
– Article: Scuba Diving in Sorsogon: Challenges, Victories, and Foresight
Sustainable fisheries (community outreach)
Offer educational programme or outreach for local or national communities on sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
– Seminar-Workshop on Marine Plastic Pollution, an Extension Activity to the Project HATE: Marine Plastic Pollution November 2023
– Narrative Report: Project HATE Marine Plastic Pollution (Headway towards Awareness on Trends and research Experiences in Marine Plastic Pollution)
– MOA with BFAR – Provincial Fisheries Office for Project Headway
– MOA with LGU of Magallanes, Sorsogon
– MOA with Magallanes National High School
– MOA with World Wide Fund (WWF)
– Narrative Report: Tilapia Fry Dispersal
– MANKnow Mangrove Awareness and Knowledge
– Article: From Spark to Waves, We’re Making Marine History
– Reel: Blue Dive Activity
– Article: Kicking Off the Month of the Ocean 2025
– Article: Scuba Diving in Sorsogon: Challenges, Victories, and Foresight
Overfishing (community outreach)
Offer educational outreach activities for local or national communities to raise awareness about overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices
– FishCon2024 – Proposal
– FishCon Accomplishment Report
DATA 2022-2023
Supporting aquatic ecosystems through education
Fresh-water ecosystems
– River Conservation
– Tilapia Fry Dispersal
Sustainable fisheries (community outreach)
– Project EDGES (1) (2) (3)
– PROJECT HATE Marine Plastic Pollution (1) (2) (3)
Overfishing (community outreach)
– FISH Convention Week | 2023 | 2022
– RA 10654 and Coastal Resources Management
– Stakeholder’s forum on sardines post harvest losses
DATA 2023-2024
Supporting aquatic ecosystems through action
Conservation and sustainable utilization of the oceans (events)
Support or organize events aimed to promote conservation and sustainable utilization of the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and marine resources
– Fisheries Conservation Week 2023
– FishCon2024 – Proposal
– FishCon Accomplishment Report
– Narrative Report: Tilapia Fry Dispersal
– Article: From Spark to Waves, We’re Making Marine History
– Reel: Blue Dive Activity
– Article: Kicking Off the Month of the Ocean 2025
– Article: Scuba Diving in Sorsogon: Challenges, Victories, and Foresight
Food from aquatic ecosystems (policies)
– Article: Scuba Diving in Sorsogon: Challenges, Victories, and Foresight
– CAD-Memo-04A-s.-2024_Sustainable Food Production
– Policy Development Plan of BIGANI Association
– Policy LGU Ordinance Supporting Extension Project of the SorSU Magallanes Campus
Technologies towards aquatic ecosystem damage prevention (direct work)
– Flood Modeling
– Solid Waste Management Practices
Maintain ecosystems and their biodiversity (direct work)
Work directly (research and/or engagement with industries) to maintain and extend existing ecosystems and their biodiversity, of both plants and animals, especially ecosystems under threat
– SorSU and Kochi University start exploratory talk on marine research initiatives
– IN PHOTOS: Exploring and assessing our aquatic ecology resources with BSFAS students
DATA 2022-2023
Supporting aquatic ecosystems through action
Conservation and sustainable utilization of the oceans
– Fisheries Conservation Week | 2022 | 2023
– River Conservation Report
– Stakeholder’s Forum on Sardines Fisheries Conservation
– Tilapia Fry Dispersal Report
Food from aquatic ecosystems (policies)
– Policy Development Plan of BIGANI Association
– Policy LGU Ordinance Supporting Extension Project of the SorSU Magallanes Campus
Maintain ecosystems and their biodiversity (direct work)
| STC4iD | Project EDGES |
Technologies towards aquatic ecosystem damage prevention (direct work)
– Flood Modeling
– Solid Waste Management
DATA 2023-2024
Water sensitive waste disposal
Water discharge guidelines and standards
– CAD – Memo_01-s. 2024-Waste Quality Management
– CAD – Memo-06-s. 2022-Waste Quality Guidelines
Action plan to reducing plastic waste
– ESMC-Memorandum-on-Solid-Waste-Management-Practices
Reducing marine pollution (policy)
– Certificate of Copyright Registration by Prof. Ariel Malto (Policy Brief on Microplastic)
– Policy Brief: Marine Plastic Pollution – Occurrence of Microplastic in Sorsogon Bay
DATA 2022-2023
Water sensitive waste disposal
Water discharge guidelines and standards
Action plan to reducing plastic waste
Reducing marine pollution (policy) | Policy Brief 1 | Policy Brief 2
DATA 2023-2024
Maintaining a local ecosystem
Minimizing alteration of aquatic ecosystems (plan)
Monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems
– Project STREAMS-Status of Rehabilitation Efforts for Mangrove Seedlings in the Province of Sorsogon, Philippines
Monitor the health of aquatic ecosystems
– Policy Brief: Marine Plastic Pollution – Occurrence of Microplastic in Sorsogon Bay
Programs towards good aquatic stewardship practices
– Policy Brief: Marine Plastic Pollution – Occurrence of Microplastic in Sorsogon Bay
DATA 2022-2023
Maintaining a local ecosystem
Minimizing alteration of aquatic ecosystems (1) (2)
Monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems (Microplastics)
Programs towards good aquatic stewardship practices
| Mangrove | Microplastics |
DATA 2023-2024
Collaboration for shared aquatic ecosystems
Collaborate with the local community in efforts to maintain shared aquatic ecosystems
– SorSU-MC holds Two-Day Environmental Immersion in Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon
DATA 2022-2023
Collaboration for shared aquatic ecosystems
| LGU | Secondary Education | WWF |
Watershed management strategy
