The Philippines is recognized as one of the world’s richest centers of marine biodiversity and a major exporter of marine ornamental fishes. Despite this distinction, the country has yet to establish a national Red List for marine ornamental species, limiting science-based conservation measures and the protection of critical habitats.

To address this gap, the Philippine Aquatic Red List Committee, through its Ornamental Aquatic Organism Sub-Committee, is leading the development of the National Red List of Marine Ornamental Fishes in accordance with the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (Republic Act No. 9147) and the Philippine Fisheries Code (Republic Act No. 8550, as amended by RA 10654). The initiative is funded by the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and implemented in collaboration with the DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) through the Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Center (FFRDC).

To support this effort, a “Preliminary Assessment Workshop for the Red List Assessment of Marine Ornamental Fishes in the Philippines” was conducted on July 14-16, 2026, at Hotel Kimberly Manila. The activity served as a venue for researchers, taxonomic experts, and stakeholders to validate available information and assess the conservation status of selected marine ornamental fish species under the families Acanthuridae, Chaetodontidae, and Pomacanthidae.

The workshop forms part of the project, “Red List Assessment of Marine Ornamental Fishes in the Philippines: Family Acanthuridae, Chaetodontidae, and Pomacanthidae,” led by Frederick Muyot, project leader and co-chairperson of the Ornamental Aquatic Organism Sub-Committee. During the activity, Muyot and the project team presented the initial findings from data mining and field surveys conducted during the first semester. These scientific assessments are expected to provide critical information for conservation planning, species protection, and the promotion of sustainable marine ornamental fish trade in the country.

In her message, NFRDI Executive Director Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia emphasized that the workshop is part of a broader initiative to formulate science-based policy recommendations and develop a comprehensive National Red List Manual for marine ornamental fishes. She underscored the importance of generating credible and robust scientific data, noting that the expertise and contributions of researchers and specialists are essential in ensuring the effective protection of marine ornamental species and the ecosystems that sustain them.

Once completed, the National Red List will serve as an important reference for fisheries management, biodiversity conservation, and policy development, strengthening efforts to safeguard the country’s rich marine resources for future generations. ### (Jaypee Venzon)