Advancing scientific research and aquatic conservation, personnel from Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the Municipal Mayor on June 25, 2026, to coordinate local research activities for an ongoing study on Northern Luzon fisheries.

The visit marks the local implementation of the scientific project entitled “Fishery and Stock Assessment of Gobies in Northern Luzon, Philippines.” This study is a critical component of a broader, high-level research program: “Fauna and Life History of Freshwater and Estuarine Fish of the Philippines: Toward Elucidation of the Larval Dispersal Mechanism of Diadromous Fish along the Kuroshio Current.”

The international initiative is being implemented in close collaboration with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) in Japan and is fully funded by Japan’s Nagao Environmental Foundation.

By analyzing local goby populations, the research aims to deepen scientific understanding of freshwater and estuarine fish species across the country. Ultimately, the data gathered will help develop sustainable management and conservation strategies for vital aquatic resources.

The Local Government Unit of Quirino formally expressed its strong support for the project, reaffirming its commitment to initiatives that champion environmental conservation, scientific research, and evidence-based resource management in the municipality.