Quezon City, Philippines — The Marine Science Institute (MSI) of the University of the Philippines organized a Synthesis Panel Meeting on 30 October 2007 to present an overview of the Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building for Management (CRTR) Program, its history, progress and plans. The CRTR is a leading coral reef research initiative that provides a coordinated approach to credible, factual and scientifically-proven knowledge for improved coral reef management.

Manila, Philippines — The challenges and opportunities in the restoration and management of Manila Bay was the focus of the Kalikasan, Kaunlaran! (KK!) radio program on DZRH-AM last 28 November 2007.Ms. Maricor Ebarvia-Bautista, PEMSEA Technical Officer for Environmental Investment, joined Ms. Marilou Erni, Executive Director, Petron Foundation and President of Bataan Coastal Care Foundation, Inc., and Ms. Eva Matibag, Wastewater Department Manager, Manila Water as panelists of the radio program. Dr.

Cape Town, South Africa — The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and its Implementing Agencies (United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, and the World Bank) hosted the Fourth Biennial International Waters Conference in Cape Town, South Africa from 31 July-3 August.

Quezon City, Philippines — PEMSEA welcomes Dr. Won-Tae Shin, Ms. Kazumi Wakita, Ms. Magnolia Uy and Ms. Jesusa Defensor of the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) Secretariat Services and Ms. Vanessa Bautista as library assistant.Dr. Won-Tae Shin joins PEMSEA as Programme Specialist for the PRF Secretariat Services. Before joining PEMSEA, Dr. Shin worked at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOMAF) in RO Korea. Under MOMAF, Dr. Shin gained extensive working experience with PEMSEA and other UN regional organizations, such as YSLME, NOWPAP and COBSEA.Dr.

Azores, Portugal — PEMSEA participated in the Seminar on Maritime Policies and Globalization in Azores, Portugal from 9 to 10 July. The seminar was one of the series of three seminars organized by the Government of Portugal in preparation for its accession to the Chairmanship of the European Commission.During the session on "Integrated maritime policies are set up from one continent to another," PEMSEA Regional Programme Director Dr.

Tianjin, PR China — The Seminar on Policy Reform, Sustainable Financing and Investment for Pollution Reduction in the East Asian Seas, to be held 17-19 October in Tianjin, PR China, aims to enable participants to consider and incorporate in project formulation and implementation adequate strategies and approaches to policy reform in managing impacts from river basins and coastal seas, as well as addressing bottlenecks in financing and making investments for pollution reduction.Participants include PEMSEA focal agency staff in project coordination; representatives of local governments in the

Lady Elliot Island, Australia — The global extent of the 1997-1998 mass bleaching event, destroying 16 percent of the world's coral reefs, have fuelled scientific curiosity about the causes of mass bleaching and the implications of these events for future coral reef condition. It has been established that mass bleaching events are caused primarily by increased sea temperatures. Bleached corals can survive if stressful conditions subside soon enough.

Batangas Province, Philippines — For almost three years now, a group of dedicated members and leaders of ANAK-Balayan has been visiting schools and communities in Batangas Province, Philippines, in an effort to impart environmental information. Currently, environmental education in public schools is subsumed under science and technology classes but discussions are sometimes limited. This may perhaps explain the limited appreciation of students when it comes to applying practical environmental management skills in their daily lives.

 

Quezon City, Philippines — After more than 13 years of service as Regional Programme Director of PEMSEA, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng officially retires on 31 December 2007.As a special tribute to and celebration of his inspiring leadership and contribution to the East Asian Seas region, staff of the Regional Programme Office presented a brass sculpture of a fisher to Dr. Chua, who has served not only as a manager, but as a teacher and mentor to all those associated with the project. Indeed, it is difficult to envision PEMSEA without Dr. Chua. In his message to staff, however, Dr.