MERF’s Performance

MERF has administered and implemented grants and projects ranging from research, to extension and development work in the areas of oceanography, mariculture, biotechnology, integrated coastal management, marine fisheries management, and marine policy formulation.

The creativity and innovation that MERF facilitated has supported and broadened the scientific research and extension work of the UPMSI to socio-ecologically critical areas, such as Pangasinan, Bataan, Oriental Mindoro, Aurora, Cebu, Bohol, Surigao, Palawan, Zamboanga del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Davao Oriental.

Its scientists and researchers are well grounded, with a versatile approach to solving societal problems, as well as utilizing science applications to meet the challenging concerns of the present and the future.

MERF’s strategic outlook, reflected in pro-active work, is also expressed in theoretical and policy-making initiatives (as in marine policy affairs), and strategy formulation and capacity-building initiatives (e.g., its support of the Philippine Association of Marine Sciences (PAMS)) and networking with local and international institutions.

In its 16 years of administering grants and other contracts from local and international institutions, MERF has built up its asset base to at least 7 million pesos, sustaining the growth and development of marine science.