TEN OUT of the 17 BS in Fisheries graduates of MMSU who took the Fisheries Technologist Licensure Examinations have passed the test conducted by the PRC Board of Fisheries.

Thus, the university garmered a 58.82 percent passing rate as against the 36.09 percent national passing rate. The successful passers were among the 366 who passed out of the 1,014 who took the test in Manila, Davao, and Iloilo City last October 21-22.

Of the 17 examinees, 14 were first timers and three were repeaters. Of the first timers, eight passed, or 57.14 percent, while among the repeaters, two passed. The result clearly showed that MMSU has become the number one top performing school in Region 1 beating UNP, DMMMSU, ISPSC, UNP, and PSU which had 50%, 33.33%, 40%, and 50% passing rates, respectively.

Fisheries technologists are those involved in studying marine and inland fishes and their environment, and can work with both wild populations and hatchery-raised stocks. Working with a variety of fish species and habitats, fisheries technologists are often responsible for sampling and gathering data and supporting research and fisheries management. They play a key role in the conservation and protection of the country’s fisheries resources.

In the office, they maintain databases of information such as records of growth, feeding, and mortality rates of fishes; and analyze data and prepare reports. In the field, they monitor fish populations and stock, clean and maintain equipment, collect samples and specimens, and operate large and small vessels and other equipment. In the laboratory, they process samples and specimens.

Most fisheries technologists work in commercial fish farms and hatcheries, provincial and municipal government offices, colleges/universities’ research departments, environmental consulting agencies, and marine science institutions and aquariums. Some might become a self-employed consultants. (By Reynaldo E. Andres)