The Philippine Association on Marine Science (PAMS) organized the 13^th National Symposium on Marine Science, a biennial symposium that congregates all experts, managers, implementers and students in the field of marine sciences. The multi-sectoral symposium showcased all the recent advances on marine science and, coastal and resource management here in the Philippines. The event was held on 22-24 October 2015 at the Greenleaf Hotel in General Santos City, Philippines.

With the theme of “moving towards resilient marine ecosystems,” the symposium pushed for holistic approaches in addressing ecosystem resiliency. Plenary talks were given by Dr. Miguel Fortes on the community resilience and sustainability of seagrass and mangove ecosystems; Dr. Cesar Villanoy on the Oceanography of the Philippine Archipelago; and Dr. Vincent Hilomen on the Marine Key Biodiversity Areas in the Philippines. Throughout the symposium, simultaneous presentations on the different topics on marine science were done in simultaneous, separate sessions that were done by the various sectors from the academe, government, non-government organizations, and others.

Present for the OML Center is Mr. Carlo Carlos, who presented the Center’s findings on the vegetation resistance of selected mangrove ecosystems in the Yolanda-affected areas. Also representing for the Center is Dr. Junemie Hazel Lebata-Ramos of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) who is also a technical reviewer for the OML Center.

The symposium also highlighted the awarding of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) Support Network wherein the finalists from the MPA implementers across the country presented their efforts on implementing their respective programs in their area. This support network provided good practices and approaches that can be shared to others in ensuring proper management of MPAs.

With the ecosystems as a part of the research agenda of the OML Center, the Center will continuously be part of such activities that promote exchange of ideas and potential collaborations.