Perspectives on the Role of Developing States in
the Sustainable Use and Management of MGRs in
Global Oceans
Maria Rowena R. Romana-Eguia, PhD.
SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department
Rizal, Philippines
MABNJ - 64% of the world’s
oceans, their seabed and
bottom
MGRs - megadiverse, must be
managed sustainably
MGR surveys
-complex, costly
-developed states lead
Developing states and MGR use, mgmt:
- indirectly involved thru their scientists
(supportive research) and legislators
(policy formulation)
- more as beneficiaries than users
-higher species diversity in subtropics
and tropics
- fishery resources not to be overexploited
World fish stocks
- 50% fully exploited
- 20% overexploited
Marine fishery depletion/ overexploitation
- problem in spite implementation of legal
frameworks
Responsible use of marine fish
genetic resources (Philippines)
RP fish production:4.4M metric tons
47% aquaculture
28%municipal capture fisheries
25% commercial fisheries
Info on extent of commercial fishing
in ABNJ not available
Commercial fishery operators adhere
to Philippine Fisheries Code or RA
8850 (reflects issues under FAO
Code of Conduct for Responsible
Fisheries)
SEAFDEC Initiatives on MFGR use
Southeast Asian Fisheries
Development Center
Aquaculture Department (AQD)
Training Department (TD)
Marine Fisheries Resources
Development Management Department
(MFMRD)
Marine Fisheries Research Department
(MFRD)
In 1998, SEAFDEC and the
Gov’t of Japan led Program
on Regionalization of the
Code of Conduct for
Responsible Fisheries
SEAFDEC initiatives on MFGR
use thru RCCRF
 capacity building, 11 ASEAN-SEAFDEC member
countries trained in responsible fisheries mgmt
 SEAFDEC include essence of CCRF in its thrusts
by promoting -fishing operations
aquaculture development
fisheries management
post harvest practices, trade
……and developing guidelines for implementation at
local, national and regional levels
SEAFDEC initiatives on use, mgmt
of MFGRs
FAO’s
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (U ncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
regional
global
MGRs screened for potentially useful
bioactive compounds for drug
development
Use of MGRs
(bioprospecting for drug discovery)
development of anti-pain drug :
Ziconitide (Prialt)
Conus magnus
Dr. Baldomero Olivera
University of Utah
UNIV. OF THE PHILIPPINES MSI’s INITIATIVES
Pharma Seas Drug Discovery Program led by
Dr. G. Concepcion and Dr. B Olivera
DOST and University of Utah funding
cross discipline collaboration
University of Utah
UP Inst of Biology
UP Inst of Chemistry
UP National Science Research Inst
UP Natl Inst of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
UP College of Pharmacy
UP College of Vet Medicine
Research Inst for Tropical Medicine
UNIV. OF THE PHILIPPINES MSI’s INITIATIVES
6-year program
aims to develop:
Anti-infective agents from spongeassociated marine microorganisms
(for TB, S aureus infections, possibly HIV)
Anti-pain agents from turrid snails
Ensure MGR use w/ minimal environmental impact
Local effort but learnings can be applied to policy
formulation re: global marine bioprospecting,
access and benefit-sharing
UNIV. OF THE PHILIPPINES MSI’s INITIATIVES
PICs and CRA granted
Identified beneficiaries:
Filipino people
National Treasury
Filipino scientists and academic institutions
Developing country researchers will practice responsible
MGR use if involved in global undertakings
willingness to be involved,
trained in international ocean
and MGR research
human capacity building esp
in weak areas (e.g.
taxonomic research etc.)
increasing no. of trained
pop’n geneticists/molecular
geneticists
Role of developing states
 Developing states w/ own bioprospecting laws can ably
support and help implement MGR governance policies
 Developing states can share human resources in
international research collaboration
 Developing states are beneficiaries of human capacity
building schemes (both scientists and legislators) on
MGR assessment, use and mgmt
 Developing states aware of ABS policies can benefit
equitably from MGRs
 Developing states can assist in effective MGR mgmt
given opportunities for active involvement in scientific and
legislative endeavours
Thanks to
Global Forum organizers
National Parks Board, Singapore
SEAFDEC/AQD