UPLB Benham Benthos Team at PAMS13 (L-R): Saul Rojas, Prof. Owen Nacorda, Dr. Hildie Nacorda, Dr. Ana Lantican, Kim Tangkilan, Kristyl Pardo, and Gill Salgado. (Saul and Dr. Ana on microbes, Prof. Owen and Kim on benthic algae, Krystil on sponges, Dr. Hildie on interstital fauna, and Gill on Benham knowledge products. Engr. Aaron Hilomen (third to the left) is drawn to provide a Sea Torpedo tool in documenting the Benham Bank’s underwater features)

General Santos City, South Cotabato – Proponents of the Benham Benthos research project of SESAM presented biodiversity papers during the 13th National Symposium of the Philippine Association of Marine Science (PAMS) held last October 22-24, 2015 at the Greenleaf Hotel, General Santos City. The event had the theme “Moving towards Resilient Marine Ecosystems.”

Dr. Hildie Maria Nacorda, Project leader and SESAM Professor, presented highlights of last year’s documentation of the Benham Bank’s coral reef bottoms, progress of the Team’s analyses of sample collections, and proposals for the next phase. Prof June Owen Nacorda, Professor, Institute of Biological Sciences-College of Arts and Sciences, provided a taxonomic account on benthic macroalgae, particularly of the dominant Halimeda species found on the Bank’s coral reefs.The conspicuous sponges were described in detail by Kristyl Ckaye Pardo, while Saul Rojas reported on potentially new discoveries on the Archaea microbes isolated from carbonate sediments.

The Team is starting to prepare for another joint expedition in May 2016 during this final leg of Project implementation. The Project anticipates using technologies, courtesy of a partner organization, to be deployed for documenting life and biodiversity at greater summit depths and along the slopes of the Bank. The Project is funded by DOST/PCAARRD-GIA and is the third component of the “Exploration, Mapping, and Assessment of Deep Water Areas” research program. The Project continues to collaborate with UPMSI, UP-NIGS, DA-BFAR, experts based in UP-Baguio, UP-Mindanao, Xavier University-McKeough Marine Center, DLSU, as well as professional diving instructors. This network foresees the engagement of the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and cooperators from UPV-Tacloban.