Filipino marine scientists are developing a Deep Sea Resource Research Center that will implement and coordinate studies in the Philippine Rise, which Chinese survey ships reportedly penetrated for oceanographic research in 2017.
During the Technology Media Conference on Marine Biodiversity held June 4, Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said the development of the research center is part of the Philippine Rise Program and would include studies on other deep sea areas of the Philippines.
Expected benefits are coral reefs and associated habitats for climate change-related research, biodiversity for natural products research, food security, scientific basis for biodiversity conservation, and non-living resources for research and exploration.
The target beneficiaries are coastal communities and local fishermen as well as researchers of state colleges and universities, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The development of Deep Sea Resource Research Center is one of the five initiatives funded by DOST and . The other four projects are R&D program on corals, inventory of commercially valuable mollusk species, R&D on giant clam (taklobo), and DNA barcoding of selected marine fishes.
Formerly known as Benham Rise, the Philippine Rise is part of the extended continental shelf of the Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the change of name in May 2017 reportedly after China completed its marine exploration in the area.
The United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf approved the Philippine claim over Benham Rise as early as April 2012, enabling the country to explore and develop the 13-million-hectare underwater plateau.
De la Peña said the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), started funding the Benham Rise Program in 2014.
In their initial studies in 2014, Filipino marine scientists from DOST and University of the Philippines recorded 62 fish species many of which are “commercially important.”
Two years later, they discovered five new microhabitats after a remotely operated vehicle explored the larger area of the Benham Bank.
The PCAARRD reported the new micro-habitats found were sponges and soft corals, green algae Halimeda, mixed algae on hard bottom, Halimenda on sand, and large areas of sand.
“Fish species richness doubled. Interestingly also, the baited remote underwater video system recorded even more fish—175 species altogether for 30 hours,” the PCAARRD added.
De la Peña said the DOST, especially PCAARRD, will continue to support research and development programs on biodiversity in the Philippine Rise as Filipino marine scientists continue to explore the area and analyze their collections.
