By Jesslyn Keith Valite

Dr. Ken Maeda, a staff scientist at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), and Dr. Midori Iida, a professor at Hokkaido University, Japan, visited MMSU today, November 29, to discuss a proposed collaboration on aquatic research.

The project, titled "Freshwater and Estuarine Fish Fauna of the Philippines: Toward Elucidating the Larval Dispersal Mechanism of Diadromous Fish Along the Kuroshio Current," aims to study larval dispersal patterns and compare fish populations across the East and West coasts of Northern Luzon, Palawan, Taiwan, and Japan. It proposes that fish larvae from the Philippines are carried by ocean currents to Taiwan and eventually to Japan. This research will examine how ocean currents influence larval movement and their ecological impact on biodiversity conservation.

The MMSU College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (CASAT) was chosen as a collaborator in Ilocos Norte, with the project scheduled to begin in 2025.

During the visit, Dr. Maeda and Dr. Iida were joined by CASAT OIC-Dean Ernesto Del Rosario, Fisheries Department Chair Marjorie Ramos, and fisheries faculty members.

MMSU OIC-President Prima Fe R. Franco expressed her gratitude to Dr. Maeda for selecting the university as a partner. “This collaboration will deepen our understanding of freshwater and estuarine fish, which are significant to our shared diet and culture,” Dr. Franco said, emphasizing the university’s commitment to biodiversity conservation.

Dean Del Rosario elaborated on MMSU's potential contributions, stating that faculty members and students are ready to assist with data collection, sampling, and monitoring throughout the research.

Dr. Maeda praised MMSU as “a valuable partner” for the project, citing its expertise and capability in fisheries and aquatic resources research.

The project will also receive support from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte. It will be funded by the Nagao Natural Environment Foundation (NEF), a Japanese NGO focused on nature conservation and human resource development.

Dr. Maeda's research follows a similar initiative he conducted in Palawan from 2015 to 2019, which provided valuable insights into larval dispersal and its implications for biodiversity conservation in the region.

This upcoming international collaboration underscores MMSU’s role as a national university for fisheries and a trusted partner in research and conservation.