Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, Ph.D. and Asst. Prof. Reuel M. Bennett, Dr.rer.nat. of the UST College of Science – Department of Biological Sciences and the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, were invited by Prof. Ho Young Soh, Dean of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences to serve as speakers during the second International Symposium on Marine Environment and Fisheries Resources held at the Yeosu campus of Chonnam National University (CNU) held from September 25 to 26, 2024.
The event was organized by the CNU College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences in cooperation with the Korea Fishery Resource Management Research Institute and the Institute of Fishing Village and Aquaculture. Dr. Papa and Dr. Bennett joined speakers from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Turkey and Vietnam who gave lectures on the ecology and life history of economically important aquatic organisms, aquaculture and fisheries including topics on conservation, management, climate change adaptation and sustainability. A research poster competition was also held during the symposium where graduate students and researchers of Chonnam National University showcased their latest research findings.
Bennett delivered a lecture titled 鈥淥omycetes in Philippine freshwater ecosystems鈥�, highlighting current research developments in taxonomy and potential utilization of oomycetes (aquatic fungi) for aquaculture as a natural food source due to its potential for mass propagation and fatty acid content.
Meanwhile, Papa updated the audience on 鈥淢ethane Dynamics and Limnological Monitoring in Tropical East Asia: The Case of Lake Yambo鈥�, which emphasized on the importance of routine limnological monitoring for water quality and methane concentrations in tropical lakes such as Lake Yambo as these are closely linked to eutrophication, especially in tropical lake ecosystems鈥攖hose heavily utilized for aquaculture.
Chonnam National University holds the distinction of having the first and oldest fisheries and marine educational institution in Korea and is known for receiving the most research funding among Korean universities. Its College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences maintains two research vessels, including the 96.45m ship Sae Dong Baek which was launched in 2019. Symposium speakers were given the opportunity to visit and inspect the research facilities of their two research vessels, which routinely conducts research cruises around the Korean peninsula.
