CFOS Marks 67th Year, Advocates Aquatic Resource Protection

The College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS) celebrated its 67th foundation anniversary by promoting collective action to protect the country’s natural aquatic resources.

With the theme “Iririmaw sa Pagtatap Kang Aton Dunang Manggad sa Katubigan” (Collective Action in Protecting Our Natural Aquatic Resources), the weeklong celebration ran from Feb. 10 to 14, 2025, at the CFOS, UP Visayas Miagao campus.

The event featured various activities involving faculty, staff, and students, emphasizing sustainable practices in fisheries and aquatic resource management.

Highlights of the celebration included the Rogelio O. Juliano Lecture, where Atty. Jay L. Batongbacal discussed municipal waters, and the CFOS Annual Fisheries Industry Forum, which focused on sustainable development and disaster recovery initiatives in the fisheries sector.

The festivities opened with a caravan and a photo contest exhibit led by CFOS Dean Prof. Dr. Harold M. Monteclaro and Chancellor Clement C. Camposano.

The opening program, held on Feb. 10 at the CFOS AV Hall, featured a public lecture titled “Municipal Waters: Evolution and Prospects for Future Management” by Batongbacal, a professor at the UP College of Law and Director of the UP Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.

The CFOS anniversary celebration underscored the importance of collaboration in safeguarding aquatic resources, highlighting the institution’s role in advancing sustainable fisheries and marine conservation.

The maritime affairs and laws of the sea expert delved into the history of municipal waters in the country as well as the authority of the local government unit to conserve, manage, and safeguard the 15-kilometer municipal water zone.

He also gave insights on the grave implications of what the future holds for the fisheries sector following the recent decision of the Supreme Court (SC) allowing commercial fishing vessel operations in municipal waters.

Meanwhile, the Fisheries Industry Forum this year focused on sustainable development and disaster recovery in fisheries, promoting collaboration and innovation, themed “Seafood on the Spot: Innovations for Food Security and Community Recovery.”

Organized in collaboration with Seafood PRIME Laboratories of the Institute Fish Processing Technology (IFPT), the forum brought together experts from the industry and academe as well as community stakeholders to advance seafood innovation and redefine how fisheries can aid disaster recovery efforts.

The CFOS Seafood PRIME Laboratories presented the Seafood-on-the-Spot (SOS) Project, a DA-BAR-funded initiative that developed sustainable and nutritious emergency seafood products made from natural ingredients and edible bioplastics primarily for disaster relief operations and natural calamities.  Prof. Enarnacion Emilia S. Yap of IFPT leads the project.

The annual forum is a regular activity of the college that brings together partners from the government, academe, private sector, and non-profit organizations to discuss how to strengthen the fishing industry in response to the needs of the times and to keep abreast with the current trends on the country’s strategically important sector for food security and livelihoods.

A recognition program was held to honor the retirees and presentation of posthumous awards to the recipients for their invaluable service and commitment to the college, and a talent showdown participated by the students.

A coastal clean-up and sports activities such as basketball, beach volleyball, and parlor games took place on February 11–12.

Learners from various public high schools attended a Career Orientation Program with Ms. Rose T. Mueda and Ms. Soledad S. Garibay as resource speakers. Mueda and Garibay are university

researchers and inventors, who have been granted patents for their innovations on bivalve mollusk depuration system and methods and composition of microalgae paste, respectively.

The CFOS mini Pasundayag demonstrated the challenges faced by small-scale fisheries in the Philippines, showcasing performances by administrators, faculty, and students, that underscored issues like importation, territorial claims, environmental degradation, and destructive practices.

An open house and Mr. and Ms. CFOS 2025 wrapped up the weeklong activity.  Visitors from the UPV community visited and learned about the different institutes, units, facilities, and laboratories of the college.

Moreover, five pairs of participants from various year levels, including graduate students, competed in Mr. and Ms. CFOS 2025, where they were judged in categories such as production number, talent, evening wear, advocacies, and question and answer.

The Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology under the leadership of Asst. Prof. Dr. Cristy S. Acabado spearheaded the weeklong event.

The College of Fisheries was established on April 10, 1958, after the UP Board of Regents approved President Vicente V. Cinco’s recommendation to reorganize the Philippine Institute of Fisheries Technology, offering major courses in Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Certificate in Fisheries with three academic departments: marine fisheries, inland fisheries, and fish processing technology. (Lenilyn B. Gallos/CFOS)