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In the study entitled Growth Performance and Initial Heritability Estimates for Growth Traits in Juvenile
Sea Urchin Tripneustes gratilla, the improvement of performance traits of maricultured species through
genetics was given attention as this is imperative in boosting the growth and survival of particular
species, such as sea urchins. Thus, causing economic gains to the fish farmers considering sea urchin
fishery in the Philippines is underdeveloped wherein recent population collapses in the field has been
observed, especially in Bolinao, Pangasinan. Usually, fresh sea urchins with the highest prices have clear,
bright yellow or orange roe that are firm and free of leaking fluids according to Price and Tom. On the
other hand, locally produced roe in Bolinao are usually off- color with leaking fluids, easily broken, and
are used for secondary products such as roe paste only (Pante et. Al, 2006). Hence, after the local sea
urchins are improved and enhanced genetically, its values will definitely increase bringing essential
quality for the export market.

To gage the urchins’ genetic traits, performance traits and heritabilities for wet weight, test diameter,
and test height were estimated. Growth traits were measured randomly among the family after
numerous larvae were fed daily with microalgae which then grew to hatch. The results indicated that
after the genetic parameters were executed, the test diameter and wet weight have low heritable traits
which also implies that mass or individual selection may not be the best method for enhancing the traits
of the sea urchins. Furthermore, it also suggests that there is sufficient genetic variation for growth traits
of the sea urchins from Bolinao that could respond to genetic improvement.

Results showed that most surveyed municipalities were still species-rich (22.2 ± 0.8 reef fish species per
100 m2), but appeared depleted in terms of reef fish abundance and biomass. However, partitioning
analysis accounting for relative abundance showed that reef fish diversity was generally homogenous
across study sites, suggesting the dominance of a few highly-abundant species. SIMPER analysis
revealed that Philippine reefs were generally dominated by small and medium-bodied species, rather
than large-bodied species—the latter of which are especially vulnerable to fishing due to certain life
history traits (e.g. , late age at maturity and slow growth rate) and commercial exploitation.

Deep-sea trawling is devastating corals and pristine marine habitats that have gone untouched since the
last ice age, a leading marine biologist has warned. Shrimp trawls compete directly with traditional cast
nets, a less wasteful and more fuel-efficient gear which catches higher quality shrimp. Fish that are
“unwanted” and discarded by the bottom trawler are often juveniles of valuable species caught by other
fishermen.

Studies based on the Gordon-Schaefer bioeconomic model indicate that for many coral reef areas,
suggest a return to optimal resource use will require a reduction of fishing effort by approximately 60%.
The precautionary principle and the code of responsible fishing are intended to reduce such problems.
Implementation of the Code will be most effectively achieved when governments are able to incorporate
its principles and goals into national fishery policies and legislation.

It is well known that the development of good fisheries policies requires finance, skills and experience
that may not always be available in developing countries, and particularly not in least developed
countries and small island countries. The Code encourages international organizations such as FAO to
assist these countries develop their national capacities in order to improve their ability to develop and
manage fisheries and aquaculture.

The variety of biodiversity present on coral reefs is greater than in any other marine ecosystem despite
reefs being present on only 0.1% of the world’s oceans. Humans receive multiple benefits from coral reef
ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity has significant implications for coastal communities and reef-
dependent economies. Those species that rely more heavily on coral reefs in one or more of their life
stages experienced even larger losses causing some species to even go locally extinct. During the whole
movement the compliance of stakeholders with the conservation strategies was achieved by balancing
the costs and benefits of conservation between the stakeholders in a way that all stakeholders were
willing to accept the no-take policy. Looking at the subject of global change, apart from all the politics
involved, it is clear that the planet has been changing before humans and will continue to change long
after. But for our survival as a species, we do need to consider how these changes affect our needs and
our ability to continue to sustain life as we know it.

Coral reefs in Eastern Samar, Philippines were badly damaged by super typhoon Haiyan, which left many
reefs in a fragmented state – with many branching corals and other coral forms scattered in loose pieces.
As part of the efforts to address this problem, we tested the re-attachment of 43 species of coral
fragments to sturdy natural substrates in three reef sites in Eastern Samar . The results revealed that 88%
of re-attached coral fragments survived Those that showed positive growth exhibited high growth rates.
We also found that fragments of some coral species are more fast-growing). Overall, our results suggest
that if Local Government Units (LGUs) invest in the re-attachment of fragmented corals, then coral reef
degradation in the Philippines would have a better chance of recovering.