The Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI) conducted a “Training on Scientific Writing” on April 8-11, 2025, in Bauang, La Union. The activity aimed to assist fisheries researchers in enhancing their scientific writing skills and data presentation to aid fisheries policy and management.

The four-day training brought together project leaders, assistant project leaders, and researchers from the National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP) regions 1, 2, 3, MIMAROPA, CALABARZON, CAR, and NCR, along with NFRDI staff. A writeshop was included wherein participants formed groups by Fisheries Management Area (FMA) and revised their manuscripts taking into account the resource persons’ comments.

“Nakikita ko talaga na marami ng mga bagong staff, ibig sabihin nito meron tayong mga fresh blood who are focused on fisheries management,” said Remelyn Lachica of BFAR region 1 in her welcome remarks.

On the other hand, Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia, officer-in-charge of NFRDI, gave encouraging words to the participants, “Wag kayong matakot. Wag kayong mag-hesitate because this training is meant to help improve your scientific papers. We are fortunate to have resource persons who will provide valuable feedback on your work.”

The training featured a series of lectures and consultation sessions led by seasoned fisheries experts Geronimo Silvestre, Elviro Cinco, Len Garces, and Francisco Torres, Jr.

Discussions focused on key aspects of scientific writing, including formulating research problems, crafting the introduction and methodology, and presenting results and discussions.

In addition, Cyrenes Moncawe, managing editor of The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, provided an overview of the manuscript submission process and journal guidelines, with the goal of encouraging participants to submit their scientific papers as a final output of the training.

“Our data would be wasted if they are not translated into concrete management actions,” emphasized Dr. Lilian Garcia, Executive Director of NFRDI, highlighting the importance of producing high-quality scientific bases to inform policy and fisheries governance.

This capacity-building activity is part of the broader Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FISHCORE) project, a World Bank-funded initiative focused on strengthening fisheries management, enhancing the value of fisheries production, and supporting the economic resilience of coastal communities across 11 regions and 24 provinces.

Under FISHCORE’s Fisheries and Coastal Resource and Risk Management (FishCRRM) component, the training supports the development of the NSAP and FMA Scientific Advisory Groups (SAGs). The goal is to ensure that fisheries management plans developed by FMA Management Boards are grounded in robust, up-to-date scientific data and methodologies.

NSAP is a flagship program of NFRDI, implemented nationwide in collaboration with BFAR regional offices. ### (Cyrenes Moncawe)