Next phase of Global FinPrint seeks to improve protection of reef sharks worldwide
SARASOTA – Dec. 6, 2023 – With reef shark populations in crisis, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and partners from across the globe are updating the seminal shark survey, Global FinPrint, and applying their findings to the design of new marine protected areas (MPAs).
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Good Luck Sue!
This year we say farewell to LAMAVE researcher Sue Ong as she sets out on new adventures. Sue has been part of the team since 2016 and made quite an impact during her time with us….
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Kitakits Gonzo
The last two years brought about many changes at LAMAVE but one significant one was the departure of Gonzalo Araujo who stepped down from his role with LAMAVE in October 2020. Gonzo first joined the LAMAVE team in 2012, initially as a Project Leader for LAMAVE’s Cebu whale shark research project before becoming more invested in the leadership of the NGO.
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DNA insights could help protect manta rays
Written by: Katie Smith and Inês Crespo
Researchers provide evidence for a potential new manta ray species and suggest improvements to conservation approach.
Further support for a potential new species of manta ray in the Gulf of Mexico has been uncovered by a global genetic study.
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Social media is helping scientists put the rare and endangered ornate eagle ray on the world map
The Philippines, 9 October 2020, A new study has expanded the known distribution of the elusive ornate eagle ray by sourcing photographs from popular social media platforms. This citizen science‐sourced data shared by the public and analysed by scientists are contributing to the understanding of the vulnerability of this species, while also creating opportunities for conservation.
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Venturing Into The Wider World of International Whale Shark Research
LAMAVE attended the 5th International Whale Shark Conference (IWSC) held last 28-31 May 2019 in the town of Exmouth, WA Australia. Part of the organization’s contingent were LAMAVE researchers Ari Agustines and Tin Legaspi, the first Filipinas to participate in this conference.
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LAMAVE touch down in Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area to attend the 5th International Whale Shark Conference #IWSC5
LAMAVE researchers Gonzalo Araujo, Ariana Agustine, Tin Legaspi and Dr Jackie Ziegler will join the world's leading whale shark scientists, conservationists, natural resource managers and tourism managers at the 5th International Whale Shark Conference hosted between the 28-31 May 2019 in the town of Exmouth, WA Australia.
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Learning curves, good company and questionable Tagalog pronunciation
I am now nearing the end of my three-month placement in Puerto Princesa and it has flown by! The last ten weeks have been a truly wonderful experience, full of learning curves, good company, questionable Tagalog pronunciation and stunning whale shark encounters. When I told a few people at home what I would be doing next with my life they didn’t quite believe what I said…
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Women in Conservation: Research, Science, Sustainability, Empowerment
In celebration of Womens Month, we turn to the passionate, strong women leading some of LAMAVEs research and conservation projects across the Philippines. We ask what drives them and hear their take on scientific research and what motivates them to pursue conservation goals in the heart of the coral triangle…
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A moment of reflection
I’ve been struggling to write about my experience on Apo island for quite some time now. I could elaborate extensively about the responsibilities of a volunteer, and explain how the project has the potential to protect the sea turtles and the community they support. Or preach incessantly about how urgently the ocean needs protection.
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Palawan – The paradise of the Philippines
I’m back. Once again I find myself back in this crazy and beautiful country of the Philippines. Where travelling from one place to another sometimes takes hours, if not days with a bus, jeepney, trike and two boats. Where finding a quick feed at the bus station means getting another bag of garlic peanuts (yum) and a bunch of bananas. It also means being back in the amazing crystal clear - blue waters where whale sharks, manta rays, turtles and eagle rays live.
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Close encounters - out of the blue a shark I didn’t recognise appeared!
Before starting my volunteer placement with LAMAVE I knew I would be spending plenty of time in water with the largest fish in the ocean, Whale Sharks, little did I know the close encounter I was soon to experience….
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Success for sharks! Incredible numbers of reef sharks found in Philippine Marine Protected Area
Scientists from Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines (LAMAVE), Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) and Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) have found incredibly high numbers of reefs sharks in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP), Philippines. The numbers are higher than most other marine protected areas (MPAs) around the world and highlight the importance of large…
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Living and loving the simple life
I’ve learned to love this basic life we have on Apo Island. Waking up to dog barks and rooster calls at 6am and just sitting by the balcony enjoying the morning view with my cup of coffee and bread. Watching the team rushing to change into their research outfit and heading out for the first morning session at 7am. It’s always a joy to watch and identify the turtles in the water…
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Diving into science
It’s close to 6 o’clock in the morning. The sun rose just as we left the diveshop. The captain shouts “50 meters”. I better get ready, weights, mask, fins, air is open, okay I am good to go. I look at my buddy “ok”. The captain shouts “10 meters”. I look at my buddy: “ready? 3-2-1 go!” Backroll into the fresh, chilled water….
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Salamat Apo
Another day on the island. 5:30 am and the sun is already peeping through the palms and colouring the sky with the softest tones. The water is looking serene and undisturbed, it is holding in its transparency all the secrets of the amazing reef we are lucky to call a survey area. We prepare and leave home walking among the same familiar smiles that give us their ‘maayong buntag’ (good morning) when we pass by…
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LAMAVE partners with Plymouth University to engage students in Marine Conservation
We are delighted to be one of a number of research-based NGO's partnering with the University of Plymouth through the Ocean Giants Trust, to offer exciting new opportunities for marine biology students.
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LAMAVE joins forces with Liveaboard Solitude One for an exclusive Research Expedition in the Sulu Sea
This September 2018, Solitude One, a liveaboard company dedicated to bringing divers exotic underwater encounters will host LAMAVE researchers and the public on an exclusive research expedition to Cagaynacillo in the Philippines.
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New study reveals the global biology of whale sharks
A new study explores how citizen science has contributed to our understanding of the basic biology and ecology of the whale shark on a global scale. The study led by Dr Brad Norman was a collaborative effort of 38 scientists, including LAMAVE Executive Directors Dr Alessandro Ponzo and Gonzalo Araujo, as well as David David and Elson Aca from WWF-Philippines.
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