For generations, coastal communities and Filipino fisherfolk have relied on cultural beliefs and age-old practices to decide when to venture into the ocean and cast their nets. It’s not just a livelihood, but a way of life.
But now, for Dr. Aletta Yñiguez of the University of the Philippines (UP) – Marine Science Institute (MSI), is merging tradition with science to empower coastal folks.
Introducing the ARAICoBeH (A Rapid Assessment Instrument for Coastal Benthic Habitats) and the HABhub (Harmful Algal Bloom Hub), the game-changing tools developed by Dr. Yñiguez and her fellow MSI researchers.
ARAICoBeH, isn’t just a typical Pinoy “hugot” line but an inexpensive tool that captures underwater snapshots of endangered areas such as coral reefs, no scuba gear required.
And then there’s HABHub, an online platform that serves as a lifeline for fisherfolk whose lives and livelihoods depend on the sea’s bounty as it facilitates the detection and reporting of harmful algal blooms.
“To ensure the sustainable utilization and management of ocean resources, it is critical that observational, monitoring, and decision-support tools are in place to provide concrete, science-based information and management,” said Dr. Yñiguez at the recent “MSI@50 Lecture Series”.
“Our present efforts help bridge this gap through interdisciplinary collaborations to develop cost-effective sensors that automate ocean observation, building ocean data repositories and models for understanding, forecasting, and decision-support,” she added.
Dr. Yñiguez recalls her time as a BS Biology student at UP Los Baños and how it allowed her to venture into different tracks in wildlife and ecology. pic.twitter.com/52h5I0D3Uj
— UP Marine Science Institute (@up_msi) October 16, 2023
Through these innovative tools, Dr. Yñiguez and her team are putting the power in the hands of coastal communities to make informed choices about their marine resources.
