Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU CASAT instructor tackles improving fishing tech in nat'l lecture

By Ian Paul Villanueva

Mariano Marcos State University – College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (CASAT) Department of Fisheries Instructor Mr. Jumari Fernandez delivered a lecture during the 3-day Seminar on Responsible Fisheries through Improvements and Innovations of Fishing Gear and Practices in the Philippines, held virtually from May 21 to 23, 2026.

Mr. Fernandez’s talk, titled “Fishing Gear Modification Based on Fish Visual Cues and Spectral Sensitivity,” drew from his research on marine animal behavior. His lecture focused on how specific marine commodities such as octopus, respond to visual cues and explored how these findings can translate into practical fisheries applications.

Emphasizing the real-world applications of these innovations, Fernandez highlighted the importance of such studies to coastal communities.

“Fishing gear modification is a field of study with immense practical value and direct relevance to the lives of local fishers, making it one of the most impactful research areas being pursued by fisheries researchers today,” he shared.

The national seminar was a Professional Regulation Commission-accredited Continuing Professional Development training and included a range of topics such as capture fisheries, regulations, biodiversity assessment and fish gear designs and modifications.

It was hosted by Visayas State University Tolosa Campus as part of continuing efforts of fisheries institutions and professionals to strengthen responsible fisheries management and encourage the adoption of science-based technologies.

The three-day seminar convened fisheries professionals, educators, researchers, extension workers, and students from different parts of the country to discuss current developments, innovations, and sustainable approaches in the fisheries sector. The activity also served as a platform for knowledge sharing and professional collaboration among fisheries experts nationwide.