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Passive restoration methods like Marine Protected

Passive restoration methods like Marine Protected Areas and no-take zones have been a staple of coral reef conservation for most of the last century. However, recent research has shown that optimal conservation outcomes should include both habitat protection and active restoration.

In many cases of coral restoration, healthy corals are “fragged”: parts of the live skeleton are broken off a living donor colony, then used for the re-fragmentation process. Unfortunately, this is often detrimental to the donor colony.

Corals of opportunity (COPs) solve this problem: they're corals that have previously been broken from a parent colony, either through natural or human mechanical processes. As these corals are not stabilised or attached to a hard substate, the likelihood of them growing into a new full, colony is small. However, if they are manually attached to a hard surface, the likelihood of survival into an adult colony greatly increases.

This is exactly what we're doing within our FRAGS (Functional Restoration And Growth Studies) project. At the end of 2022 we received a research grant from @padiaware for this project, and we hope that it will provide a best practices handbook on coral "fragging" to replenish damaged reefs, including empirical results on both operational and biological variables that improve survivorship and growth.

For more information please read the FRAGS project proposal on our website.

📸 by @waterful_life

#marinelife #marinescience #fragcoral #coralrestoration #coralreefconservation #marinelifeconservation #marineprotectedareas #underwaterworld #marinebiologist #marinebiology #marinescienceinstitute #marinescienceeducation

Congratulations to our Research Assistant Megan fo

Congratulations to our Research Assistant Megan for passing her PADI Instructor Examination with flying colors!

After completing her Research Assistant program with us, Megan did her IDC with @[531408700227674][Instructor Development Philippines] to become a PADI dive instructor.

We're so proud of you Megan, and we hope you'll have the best time sharing your passion for scuba diving with your future students.

It's no secret that the marine conservation indust

It's no secret that the marine conservation industry is highly competitive. Finding a paid position can be challenging for newcomers, but there are some things you can do to improve your career outlook:

1️⃣ Pretty much a no-brainer: getting hands-on experience through internships, volunteer work, or field-based research can demonstrate your commitment to marine conservation and provide you with practical skills that will be useful in your career.

2️⃣ Want to take it one step further? Mastering technical skills such as GIS, data analysis, or underwater surveying can set you apart from other candidates and make you a valuable asset to potential employers.

3️⃣ How about going back to school? Obtaining a relevant degree or certification can provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in marine conservation.

4️⃣ For those who already have a degree in marine science or a related field; publishing research in reputable journals can help demonstrate your expertise and showcase your ability to conduct meaningful research.

5️⃣ For the social butterflies out there; attending conferences and events in the marine conservation industry can help you stay informed of the latest developments and make valuable connections with other professionals in the field.

Are you ready to set yourself apart? IMR offers various programs designed to provide you with the fieldwork experience and technical skills you need to improve your employment prospects.

Curious to learn more? Visit our website or send us a message!

📸 by @waterful_life

#marinescience #marinescienceinstitute #marinebiology #marinebiologist #marineresearch #marinesciencestudent #marinescienceeducation #marineconservation #womeninoceanscience #marinelifeconservation #marineconservationproject #marineconservationphilippines

Our Research Assistant Megan is currently training

Our Research Assistant Megan is currently training with @instructordevelopmentph to become a PADI dive instructor!

Megan was already a Divemaster when she joined us. After she becomes a certified instructor, she'll not only be able to conduct underwater surveys, but also teach dive courses and lead dives.

Her 2-day PADI examination starts this Friday, so please send her positive vibes in the comments! 🥰

#divemaster #diveinstructor #padicourse #padidiveinstructor #divecourses #girlsthatscuba #scubadivingphilippines #scubadivingph #dauindiving #negrosoriental #divephilippines #scubadivinggirls

We are looking for a Research Technician! 👀 Do

We are looking for a Research Technician! 👀

Do you have a Bachelor's degree in marine science, are you a PADI dive instructor and passionate about underwater photography? Then we want to hear from you.

Please visit our website (link in bio) for more information about this exciting opportunity. For questions and applications please email chelsea@institutemarineresearch.org.

#marineconservationjobs #conservationjobs #marinescience #marinebiologist #marinescienceinstitute #marinebiology #womeninoceanscience #marineconservation #marineconservationphilippines #marineconservationproject #oceanconservation

Can you be a marine conservationist without being

Can you be a marine conservationist without being a scuba diver? Sure, but it's definitely very beneficial to have scuba diving skills if you're working around marine environments.

Scuba diving allows you to access and study the underwater world in a way that would be impossible without it. As a scuba diver, you can observe and document marine life and habitats, monitor the health of ecosystems, and identify threats.

Being able to get up close to the environment you're studying, provides you with a firsthand understanding of the marine environment, and allows you to better appreciate and connect with the species that live in it.

That said, if you can't or don't want to dive as a marine conservationist, there are other roles that you can consider, such as policy development, data analysis, or community outreach. But if it's your ambition to work in the field, scuba diving skills are a very valuable asset.

Do you want to work in marine conservation but are you not a diver yet? We can help you with that 😉 Send us a message or visit our website for more information.

#marinescience #marineconservationist #marineconservation #marinelifeconservation #scubadiver #scubadivingph #girlsthatscuba #divephilippines #womeninoceanscience
#marineconservationphilippines #marinebiology

2022 was our best research year to date due to the

2022 was our best research year to date due to the diversity of projects being conducted.

If you haven't had the time yet to read through our annual Outlook Report that we published last week, here's a quick snapshot of what we've been up to last year:

✔️ 113 completed surveys
✔️ 169,500 CPCe points analyzed
✔️ 369 fish species recorded
✔️ 1,843 kg fish biomass recorded
✔️ 118,095 individual fish recorded
✔️ 11,300 m2 coral reef 3D-modelled
✔️ 30 vulnerable or near-threatened individuals recorded
✔️ 2,773 impacts recorded
✔️ 53 different coral genera recorded

Want to get more detailed insights? Our Outlook Report 2022 is now available on our website (link in bio).

#marineresearch #marinescience #marinebiology #marinebiologist #marinescienceinstitute #marinesciencestudent #marinescienceeducation #marineconservation #marinelifeconservation #marineconservationphilippines #marineconservationproject

At the end of 2022 we received a research grant fr

At the end of 2022 we received a research grant from @padiaware , which has kickstarted our very first coral restoration project in Dauin!

Dauin was hit by super typhoon Rai (Odette) in December 2021, which caused damage to high-exposure reef sites along the Dauin coast. This has resulted in widespread coral mortality, generation of coral fragments, and unstable reef substrata.

Our Functional Restoration and Growth Studies (FRAGS) project utilizes these susceptible corals (Corals of Opportunity; COPs) by reattaching their fragments to artificial structures of various compositions and complexity.

In the coming weeks and months we will explain more about our FRAGS project and of course, keep you updated on our findings.

Can't wait that long? Feel free to download our Outlook Report 2022 (link in bio), where we have dedicated an entire section to FRAGS.

📸 by @waterful_life

#marinelife #coralreef #coralrestoration
#protectmarinelife #marinelifeconservation #marinelifeprotection #oceanwildlife #marinescience #marinescienceinstitute #marinescienceeducation #marinebiology #marineconservationphilippines

Say hello to Raf, one of IMR's founders and Direct

Say hello to Raf, one of IMR's founders and Directors!

He started scuba diving when he was only 8 years old, and fell in love with marine biology in the cold waters of Peru, where he went to uni.

Raf has worked all over the world in all realms of marine biology; from ecotourism to research and even aquaculture. He's especially passionate about environmental education and creating context-specific ocean education for the younger generations. In fact, he's currently developing a Reef Rangers project for Filipino children!

It's always been Raf's dream to start an NGO where research drives evidence-based management decisions, which ultimately led him to the Philippines, where he founded IMR.

If you ever get the chance, you definitely want to have him on your team in a pub quiz, because Raf is our human version of Google and knows a little bit of everything!

His son Noah is probably following in his father's footsteps, because at only 2 years old he can already name an impressive amount of fish species!

If you've ever worked with Raf, please share your favorite memory about him in the comments 🤗

#marinescience #marinebiologist #marinebiology #marinescienceinstitute #marinelifeconservation #marinelifeprotection #marineconservation #marinescienceeducation #scubadivingph #aquaculture #marineconservationphilippines #marineconservationproject

The perfect day doesn’t exi.... Apo Island is w

The perfect day doesn’t exi....

Apo Island is world-famous for its abundance of healthy coral reefs, and we’re lucky to be based only a short boat ride away.

We go at least once a month, so that all our students get to experience the magic of Apo!

If you’re fortunate enough to have dived around Apo Island, what was your favorite thing about it?

#apoisland #scubadivingphilippines #dauindiving #scubagram #scuba_diving #scubaworld #scubadivers #scubadivingadventures #girlsthatscuba #dauin #marinelife #marinesciencestudent

Are you ready for your next step in marine conserv

Are you ready for your next step in marine conservation? We are looking for an Outreach Officer!

If you're passionate about environmental education, building community engagement, and evidence-based conservation, we want to hear from you!

Please visit our website (link in bio) for more information about this exciting opportunity. For questions and applications please email chelsea@institutemarineresearch.org.

#marineconservationjobs #conservationjobs #marinescience #marinebiologist #marinescienceinstitute #marinebiology #womeninoceanscience #marineconservation #marineconservationphilippines #marineconservationproject #oceanconservation

Environmental factors like nutrient runoff and war

Environmental factors like nutrient runoff and warm water temperatures can trigger sudden increases in Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) populations, leading to outbreaks that threaten reef health.

That's why we conduct cull dives, injecting the COTS with vinegar (which kills them within 24 hours) to stop their outbreak.

But how do feeding rates, coral loss rates and COTS behavior change in an outbreak where culls are ongoing? This is what Leo Andreas Viktor Arleborg, Master's student at Stockholm University, studied during his time at IMR.

In his research project, he found that culling was proven effective in decreasing numbers found up to a week after culls, and COTS were more likely to hide after the first cull.

To learn more about the rest of Leo's and our own findings, read our Outlook Report 2022 through the link in bio.

#crownofthornsstarfish #starfish #marinelife #oceanwildlife #oceananimals #scubaworld #underwaterworld #underwaterphoto #marinelifeconservation #dauindiving #scubadivingphilippines #scubadivingph

A lack of experience in the field is often one of

A lack of experience in the field is often one of the biggest challenges for marine science students and graduates when it comes to finding work in the industry.

Fieldwork experience provides you with a hands-on understanding of the challenges and complexities of marine conservation. You learn about the different ecosystems, marine species, and their behaviors, which are impossible to replicate in a classroom. Fieldwork enables you to observe the interactions between different components of the marine environment and gain a deeper understanding of any factors that influence them.

Being in the field also teaches you to navigate real-world challenges. You learn about the logistics of conducting surveys, including planning, equipment, and safety. You learn how to overcome obstacles, such as adverse weather conditions and unexpected logistical issues, which are not uncommon 😉.

IMR offers various programs designed to provide you with the fieldwork experience you need to become a successful marine conservationist.

Curious to learn more? Visit our website or send us a message!

#marinescience #marinebiologist #marinebiology #marinescienceinstitute #marinesciencestudent #marinescienceeducation #marineecosystem #marinelifeconservation #marineconservation #marineconservationphilippines
#marineconservationproject

We are extremely thrilled to share our Outlook Rep

We are extremely thrilled to share our Outlook Report for 2022 with you!

2022 was a pivotal year for IMR, as we reopened our facilities to students and researchers from all over the world after an 11-month closure during the pandemic.

Alongside the return of international travel, we welcomed Jen (Head of Science) back to the Philippines, and introduced Dan (Head of Operations) to the IMR team. This kickstarted a new year of research, which has been our best one yet due to the diversity of projects being conducted.

However, this research has highlighted a number of conservation concerns that we have been battling, including a crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak, loss of Marine Protected Area boundaries, the continued spread of the Porites Ulcerative White Spot disease, and an increased prevalence of ghost-net fishing lines.

As we close another research year, we are so thankful for the support of an amazing team that keeps us inspired and focused on our research and conservation endeavors. There's a long list of contributors who have been instrumental in the realization of this report, but we'd like to give a special shoutout to Jen, our Head of Science, for her dedication to this project.

Without further ado, we invite you to head over to the link in our bio to read the full report! 🔗

#researchreport #marineresearch #marinescience #marinebiologist #marinebiology #marinescienceinstitute #marinesciencestudent #marinescienceeducation #marineconservation #marineconservationphilippines

And just like that, our 3 months with Sarah have c

And just like that, our 3 months with Sarah have come to an end 😢

Sarah joined us as a Research Fellow to give her career in marine science a boost. In the past months she has been instrumental in helping our Head of Science Jen with the data analysis for our 2022 annual report. Her hard work, attention to detail, and passion for marine conservation have made her an invaluable part of the team!

Thank you Sarah, for your great work and all the good times! We wish you the best of luck with your Master's degree, and we can't wait to see the impact you'll continue to make in the field of marine conservation.

#marinescience #marinebiologist #marinebiology #marinescienceinstitute #marinesciencestudent #marinescienceeducation #womeninoceanscience #marinelifeconservation #marineconservation #marineconservationphilippines
#marineconservationproject

Brain coral is a common name for several species o

Brain coral is a common name for several species of corals in the family Merulinidae, which are named for their distinctive appearance resembling - you guessed it - a human brain. 🧠

But it's important to note that there are many species of coral that can be referred to as brain coral, and each has its own unique scientific name.

While brain corals share some similarities in their appearance and behavior, there are also differences that allow different species to thrive in their particular habitat.

For example, some brain corals have specialized structures called septa, which are used to control the flow of water and nutrients through their tissues. Other brain corals have intricate patterns of grooves and ridges on their surfaces, which can help them to capture food particles and resist damage from waves and currents.

Want to learn more about the fascinating world of corals? Our Research Assistant program is the perfect way to expand your knowledge and make a positive impact on marine conservation at the same time. Send us a message or head over to our website for more information.

📸 by @waterful_life

#braincoral #marinelife #coralreef #oceananimals
#oceanwildlife #marinelifeconservation #reeflife #underwaterworld #marinelifeprotection #marinescience #marinescienceinstitute #marinescienceeducation #marinebiology

From studying ocean currents to growing baby coral

From studying ocean currents to growing baby corals, marine science is a multifaceted discipline with so much to offer. These are some examples of different fields of study within marine science:

1. Marine biology: the study of living organisms in the ocean, including their behavior, evolution, and interactions with their environment.

2. Oceanography: the study of the physical and chemical properties of the ocean, including its currents, waves, tides, and temperature.

3. Marine geology: the study of the ocean floor, including its composition, structure, and geological processes.

4. Marine chemistry: the study of the chemical properties and processes in the ocean, including the composition of seawater, nutrient cycles, and ocean acidification.

5. Marine ecology: the study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment in the ocean.

6. Marine biotechnology: the application of biological techniques to marine organisms for the development of new products and processes.

7. Fisheries science: the study of the management and conservation of fish populations and their habitats.

8. Marine conservation: the study of the protection and preservation of marine ecosystems and species.

Which field are you most interested in?

#marinescience #marinebiologist #marinebiology #marinescienceinstitute #marinesciencestudent #marinescienceeducation #marinegeology #marineecosystem #oceanography #marineconservation #marineecology #marineconservationphilippines

The underwater research adventure of a lifetime: b

The underwater research adventure of a lifetime: become a Research Assistant with IMR. 🪸

As a Research Assistant you get to discover the wonders of our coral reefs as you delve into the biology and identification of the marine life found within the Coral Triangle.

In the first week of your training, you’ll learn about the ecosystem architects that make up the coral reef ecosystem along the Dauin coastline and Apo Island. We’ll teach you how to identify all coral and substrate types, and provide you with the resources you need for accurate identification.

You’ll also get hands-on training in IMR’s underwater research techniques and analyze your findings in our computer labs. Plus, you’ll bring the reefs to life through our 3-Dimensional Modelling workshops!

Want to know more about our Research Assistant program? Head over to the link in our bio, or send us an email at info@institutemarineresearch.org

#marineconservation #marinesciencestudent #savetheocean #marinescienceinstitute #marinesciencestudent #marinebiology #marinebiologystudent #scubagram #girlsthatscuba #divemaster

Every first day of the month, a new Research Assis

Every first day of the month, a new Research Assistant program kicks off, and that means we get to spend some time in the classroom 🤓

Will you be sitting here later this year? We still have availability, but some months are booking up quickly. So don't procrastinate any longer and send us a message asap if you're interested in joining us in 2023!

#marineresearch #marinescience #marinebiologist #marinescienceinstitute #marinesciencestudent #marinescienceeducation #marinebiology #womeninoceanscience #protectmarinelife #marineconservationphilippines #marineconservation

Many marine scientists believe that we are the las

Many marine scientists believe that we are the last generation to be able to experience the wonders of a healthy coral reef ecosystem. When compared to terrestrial biomes, where to a certain degree you can repair and rebalance ecosystems, that is almost impossible in the world of coral reefs.

When a coral reef undergoes a phase shift, there is almost no chance of restoring it to its prior condition. That's why it is vital that we protect our reefs now.

You can help us do this. By enrolling in one of our courses, you not only boost your own employment prospects as a marine conservationist, but you also get to contribute firsthand to our long-term reef monitoring project, and support our work in the process.

Together, let's make waves for change! Visit our website for more info.

#marineconservation #marineconservationist #marinescientist #marinescience #marinebiology #marinescienceinstitute #marinesciencestudent #marineecosystem #marinelife #savemarinelife #oceanconservation #marineconservationproject #marineconservationphilippines

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