PANABO CITY – Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) hosted the Local Capacity for Blue Economy: A Training Course in Tropical Fish Stock Assessment for Research and Governance of the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector on July 2–4, 2025, at the Gender and Development (GAD) Conference Hall.
The three-day event brought together researchers and members of the academe from DNSC, Davao del Sur State College (DSSC), Davao de Oro State College (DdOSC), Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), City Agriculture Office (CAGRO-Panabo), and the National Marine Center-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (NMC-BFAR). The training aimed to enhance research and governance capabilities in the small-scale fisheries sector through scientific and data-driven approaches.
Dr. Asuncion B. De Guzman, esteemed researcher from the Mindanao State University – Naawan Foundation for Science and Technology Development, Inc. (MSUNFSTDI), served as the lead trainer, supported by DNSC’s pool of experts. In his opening message, Dr. Eliseo F. Huesca Jr., Vice President for Research, Extension, and Production, reflected on the personal significance of the activity.
“This is really personal for me. I may not have a background in fisheries or marine science, but I realized how relevant it is. My master’s thesis was on freshwater governance, and this training reminds me of the importance of building local talents that can create multiplier effects, especially in making our communities food resilient in the future,” he shared.
Dr. Eliseo Huesca Jr., Vice President for Research, Extension, and Production; Dr. Girley Gumanao, Vice President for Academic Affairs;
and resource speaker Dr. Asuncion B. De Guzman. Photo by Randy Magayon, DNSC PIO
Dr. Girley S. Gumanao, Vice President for Academic Affairs, also reminded the participants of the purpose of the gathering, “We are gathered for a training course on tropical fish assessment and governance of the small-scale fisheries sector. This is crucial for fisheries managers, for us to be able to make informed decisions that can prevent overfishing and sustain the health of our marine ecosystems.”
The training covered seven modules over three days: Status and Management Challenges of Small-scale Capture Fisheries; Concepts and Tools in Fish Stock Assessment and Population Dynamics; Biological Basics: Reproductive Biology and Its Vital Role in Tropical Fish Stock Management; Length-based Analysis as a Fish Stock Assessment Tool; Multispecies Fisheries Assessment; Sustainable Fisheries Management: Theory and Practice; and Designing and Implementing a Fish Stock Assessment Project.
In her closing message, Dr. Mariannie A. Rebortera, Director of Extension Services, underscored the broader relevance of the training to sustainable development and policy work. “This training highlighted the need for data-driven decisions, an understanding of socioeconomic factors, and strong collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and communities. Your commitment is vital for protecting marine resources and ensuring a sustainable future for small-scale fisheries,” she said.
The event also served as a platform for reflection and shared experiences. Lara May B. Testado, a biology faculty member from DSSC, shared how the training would help inform future initiatives in her institution, “We’ll start by applying what we’ve learned within our institution, then share the principles with students, colleagues, and even our management. Eventually, we hope to craft policies and projects that respond to issues in our coastal communities.”
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