2022 – Reports | SDG 14 – Life Below Water
Isabela State University (ISU) is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14: Life Below Water.
Education
Two campuses of Isabela State University (Roxas and Echague Campus) are offering the undergraduate program Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquatics Sciences. ISU-Roxas Campus also offers a graduate program, Master of Science in Fisheries. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) issued the Certificate of Program Compliance to ISU-Roxas to offer the Master of Science in Fisheries in 2018. Both programs aim to develop students with the knowledge and skills in the four major fields of fisheries: sustainable aquaculture, capture fisheries, post-harvest fisheries, and aquatic resources and ecology.
Graduates of this program are expected to:
- Formulate plans and programs for the conservation, protection, development, and sustainability of resources, and in the marketing of products.
- Engage in activities related to education and/or research-development-extension continuum.
- Develop, operate, and manage aquaculture production systems.
- Utilize fisheries resources using innovative fishing methods which are responsible and sustainable.
- Apply post-harvest practices that are compliant with international standards for food safety and quality.
- Manage and protect the integrity and quality of aquatic ecosystems and resources.
Research and Projects
The Isabela State University’s vision is to be a leading research university in the ASEAN region. The establishment of the Freshwater Fisheries Center (FFC) in the University with the leadership of Dr. Isagani P. Angeles Jr. leads to the implementation of different research projects that address SDG 14. The FFC is a center under the Regional Niche Center for R&D (NICER) Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that aims to be a leading research institute for innovative freshwater aquaculture technology.
Completed R & D Projects
| Title of Research | Funding Agency | Amount Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Production of Smoked Tilapia and Tilanggit for COVID-19 Affected Communities in Southern Isabela | DOST- PCAARRD | 2,500, 000.00 |
| Amaranthus spinosus Leaf Meal as Potential Protein Source of Nile Tilapia | DOST-PCAARRD | 4, 950, 318.00 |
| Utilization of Plant-Based Antioxidant for Farmed Tilapia | DOST- PCAARRD | 4, 728, 789.16 |
| Utilization of Aquatic plants as Immunostimulant for Freshwater Eel culture | DOST-GIA | 9, 381,667.45 |
| Conservation and Artificial Spawning of “Ludong” Lobed River Mullet | DOST-GIA | 12, 779,320.37 |
| Upgrading of Fish Health Laboratory of the Freshwater Fisheries Center (FFC) at Isabela State University, Echague, Isabela | DOST | 2,500, 000.00 |
| Preliminary Data Assessment on the Status of Freshwater Fisheries in the Philippines | DA-BFAR | 2, 241, 000.00 |
| Padina sp. (Laplapayag) as an Alternative Immunobooster for Tilapia Health Management | DOST-PCAARRD | 4, 939, 332.00 |
| Antimicrobial use (AMU) in Milkfish Chanos chanos Aquaculture in the Philippines | NACA, Thailand | 385, 810.00 |
On-going Research Projects
| Title of Research | Funding Agency | Amount Granted |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Field Testing of Azolla filiculoides and Amaranthus spinosus “Kolitis’ Leaf meal for Improved Tilapia in Pond Culture | DOST-PCAARRD | 4, 998,750.00 |
| 2. Nursery of Eel Enhancement and Development (NEED) Program | DOST-PCAARRD | 8, 600, 163.00 |
| Project 1. Nursery Rearing Performance of glass eel Anguilla marmorata in Pond-Based Culture System | ||
| Project 2. Development of Brackishwater Nursery Culture System for Tropical Anguillid Eel Anguila marmorata in the Philippines | ||
| Project 3. Glass Eel Early Weaning and Nursery Grow-Out Operations |
Collaborations
Aside from academic research, Isabela State University also conducted fisheries extension programs for some communities which addressed not only SDG 14 but also SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, 3: Good Health and Well-Being, and 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. The project “Production of Smoked Tilapia and Tilanggit for COVID-19 Affected Communities in Southern Isabela”, led to the collaboration of the University with different local government units (LGU). ISU forged Memorandums of Agreement with the LGUs of the municipalities of Ramon, Echague, and Santiago City, Isabela, establishing the partnerships towards the achievement of its goals. Through the active participation of beneficiaries and strong support from ISU, DOST-PCAARRD, and LGUs, an additional source of income/livelihood has been imparted to target communities. This educational outreach to local communities is one indicator to fulfill SDG 14 objectives.