National Workshop on Marine Science Research, Policy, and Practice
Manila, Philippines β On February 4-5 2026, WPS, in collaboration with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, successfully held the 2-day National Workshop on Marine Science Research, Policy, and Practice at SEDA Hotel BGC. The workshop convened Filipino scientists, national leaders, and WPS Nonresident Fellow Dr. Abe Woo for insightful discussions bridging marine science research and policy.
Commo. Jay Tarriela, Commander of the West Philippine Sea Transparency Group, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of Marine Science Research in the advocacy of protecting the seas of the Philippines and how significant it is to realize that it is a shared responsibility that bridges science and policy.
WPS President and CEO Dr. Jeffrey Ordaniel led a session on the South China Sea and maritime zones under UNCLOS, providing historical context and clarifying key concepts and terminology related to maritime entitlements and jurisdiction.
Atty. Fretti Ganchoon, Senior State Counsel at the Department of Justice β Philippines, gave a lecture on the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and national laws related to marine scientific research, enriching discussions on the legal and policy aspects of marine work.
Meanwhile, Atty. Teodoro Jose Matta, Executive Director of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), highlighted the work of PCSD and emphasized the importance of data collection and sharing in shaping relevant marine policies in the Philippines.
Claudia Laurin, graduate student of UniversitΓ© du QuΓ©bec Γ MontrΓ©a, also had the opportunity to share her research work on the success factors in the management of tropical marine protected areas of Raja Ampat, Indonesia which demonstrated the result of synergizing policymaking and hard science in effectively protecting the marine life and ecosystems.
Dr. Abe Woo, Deputy Director of the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, discussed the best practices in establishing an effective and productive multinational marine science research collaboration by building trust, confidence, and respect despite differences in culture, language, and beliefs.
By the end of workshop Day 1, the participants were able to share their most notable, recents works, and pitch their ideas for research collaboration opportunities.
On the second day, discussions among the scientists revolved around exploring and sharing the best practices related to marine scientific research, addressing cross-border research challenges, and strengthening collaboration to support marine development and a rules-based maritime order.
The workshop established the importance of a synergized approach on science and policymaking in effectively addressing the issues and threats of marine ecosystems and maritime security. Collaborative efforts from marine science scholars, through data and intrinsic analyses on the status of marine life, support policymakers and governing bodies in formulating protective policies and legislation for marine ecosystems.
To view more photos of the Workshop, please visit the WPS Facebook Page through this link: facebook.com/share/p/18ZDQpzqKM/Β
