A Pag-asa Island research expedition has been launched by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Marine Science Group, the UP Marine Science Institute (UP MSI), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB).
The research project, which began on February 22 and will run until February 28, aims to establish baseline biodiversity data for the Kalayaan Island Group.
During the expedition, the PCG Maritime Science Group conducted various activities, including assessments of the diversity and community structure of seaweeds, mollusks, and benthic invertebrates, as well as documentation of biodiversity and the abundance and distribution of seagrasses in the shallow reefs of Pag-asa Island.
Mollusk surveys were also carried out to enhance understanding of habitat interactions, providing an opportunity to identify and map priority reef restoration sites.
This initiative marks the beginning of a series of PCG-led activities focused on rehabilitating coral reefs and other marine ecosystems in the West Philippine Sea, which have faced significant degradation in recent years.
According to the Deputy Chief of the Coast Guard Staff for Marine Environmental Protection, the initiative aligns with the PCG’s mandate to protect the marine environment in recognition of its importance and resources for the Filipino people.