By Brett Andrew Rikke Bungcayao, STRATCOM Correspondent

Ms. Jhoanna Faye Jacinto, a faculty member of the MMSU College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (CASAT), earned the Best Presentation Award at the 12th International Fisheries Symposium (IFS), held from November 19 to 22 in Hokkaido, Japan.

She presented her master’s thesis, Enhancing Sustainable Fisheries: Optimization of Seaweed-Based Bioplastic Production for Eco-Friendly Packaging, co-authored by Encarnacion Emilia Yap, Lhumen Tejano, and Leonilo Endoma Jr. of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV).

The IFS, an annual gathering of leading professors, experts, young researchers, policymakers, and fisheries professionals from ASEAN countries and beyond, centered this year on the theme, “Fish as a Global Food Resource.” The symposium highlighted the vital role of the fisheries industry in securing global food sustainability. It featured engaging discussions, innovative presentations, and interactive sessions tackling biodiversity conservation, responsible aquaculture, and the industry's evolving challenges and opportunities.

Ms. Jacinto thanked the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI ASTHRDP), UPV, the UPV Regional Research Center, and MMSU for their support in making her research a success.

She shared, “This recognition shows how important our work is in solving global problems like plastic pollution and sustainable fisheries. It connects our local efforts to a wider, international audience and creates opportunities for new partnerships and innovations.”

She added, “At MMSU, research is not just work – it’s a mission to improve lives, expand knowledge, and prove that the university can lead in tackling real-world challenges.”

The symposium, jointly organized by the ASEAN Fisheries Education Network (ASFEN) and Hokkaido University, served as a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among global stakeholders in fisheries and aquaculture.