The DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), together with academic institutions and conservation partners, strengthened efforts to conserve and sustainably manage Philippine freshwater eels through the Philippine Aquatic Red List Committee (PARLC) 2nd Assessment Workshop on Anguillid Species held on July 21-24, 2026 in Dumaguete City.

The four-day workshop brought together freshwater eel experts, researchers, and government representatives to advance scientific assessments of Philippine Anguilla species, review relevant conservation policies, and generate baseline information that will support national and global conservation initiatives, including future International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments.

The program opened with messages from NFRDI Executive Director Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia, who underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in freshwater eel conservation and encouraged members of the Philippine Aquatic Red List Committee to complete the IUCN Red List certification modules.

Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos emphasized the need to prioritize the assessment of Philippine Anguilla species to guide future conservation actions and attract research support and funding. Meanwhile, Dr. Robert Guino-o II of Silliman University highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in addressing the growing threats of habitat degradation, overexploitation, and climate change.

Technical sessions focused on the IUCN Red List assessment process, species distribution mapping, and the review of proposed amendments to FAO Resolution No. 208. Participants also presented ecological and market profiles of the country’s seven freshwater eel species and compared baseline assessment results from the Pinacanauan, Chico, and Ocoy river systems to improve species status evaluations.

As part of the workshop, participants conducted field activities at the Ocoy River in Valencia, Negros Oriental, where they engaged local communities through Participatory Resource Assessment (PRA) exercises. The activity generated valuable information on freshwater eel habitats, resource use, and local ecological knowledge, providing critical inputs for species assessments and conservation planning.

The workshop concluded with the validation of field findings and discussions on the next steps for freshwater eel conservation in the Philippines. The activity further strengthened collaboration among partner institutions while establishing baseline scientific data that will contribute to national conservation strategies and the IUCN Red List assessment of Philippine freshwater eel species. ### (Ellaine Bermejo)