SPAMAST’s first fishing-research vessel to have world-class laboratory facility

MALITA, Davao Occidental, March 7 (PIA) – The P10 million-worth fishing-research vessel of a state-run college in Malita, Davao Occidental has made its maiden voyage after it was recently christened and turned over by the builder.

Dr. Ruth S. Lucero, president of the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), took pride of the newly-built ship owned by the institution during the blessing and turnover ceremony held at at Sitio Udalo in Barangay Tubalan in Malita town.

 

It is said to be the first fishing-research vessel from among fisheries institutions in Davao Region and in Mindanao.

 

Lucero revealed that the craft will soon feature a world-class laboratory facility that will cater to students taking Fisheries and Marine Sciences related courses.

 

“This is a world-class laboratory, and this will improve our delivery of quality education for the students. I’m not only looking on our students, but on other researchers, other students, teachers, and those who wanted to have a view on our marine environment,” she stated.

 

In the project profile proposed by Dr. Marlyn Llameg and Prof. John Paul Pacyao of the Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (IFMS) of SPAMAST, the laboratory activities include oceanography (biological, physical, geological, chemical), capture fisheries, marine invertebrates, marine vertebrates and Fishery Resources management.

 

Among the research activities include fish stock assessment, physico-chemical monitoring of marine waters, fish catch monitoring/assessment, and investigation for the identification/evaluation status of resources exploitation in coordination with the local government unit.

 

Lucero said that welcoming other researchers to use the boat and laboratory will be one of the strategies to sustain the operations and maintenance of the ship.

 

The operation of the vessel will be anchored on the research and laboratory activities of its fisheries and marine sciences related courses.

 

It will navigate within the local marine waters, particularly in Davao Gulf and along the coastal areas of Davao region. 

 

Immediately after accepting the ship from its manufacturer, Pinoy Catamaran, Lucero entrusted the vessel to the end users under SPAMAST’s Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences headed by Dr. Marlyn Llameg, and also with the Research and Development Extension Unit.

 

“I cannot do this as president to have this functional without the support of my dear colleagues and also the community,” she said.

 

Arien Jean M. Lopez, a 4^th year Bachelor of Science in Fisheries student, was thankful for the arrival of the research vessel, and considered it as a blessing for fisheries students like her.

 

“Having a research vessel is a very nice opportunity for us, since it can open to us more range on field laboratory works and a more clear versions on fields,” Lopez stated.

 

Meanwhile, Ensign Jefferson Rodas, provincial commander of the Davao Occidental Philippine Coastguard Station, expressed his congratulatory message and thanked SPAMAST for being a new partner in implementing its mandates.

 

Rodas also shared that the vessel’s purpose on research on marine environmental studies is in line with PCG’s mandates not only on maritime safety and maritime enforcement, but also on maritime environmental protection. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)