The work required for the protection of Philippine waters isn’t easy, which is why building strong and inclusive partnerships have been the goal of the UP Marine Science Institute (UP MSI), the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc.(MERF), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) since 2018. Last November 8, 2021, UP MSI and MERF hosted a week-long online workshop, Short Course on Skills Development: Water Quality Monitoring, Data Collection Methods for Coastal and Marine Resources, Analysis of Data and Valuation Process for Coral Damage Case in the Philippines. Members of the PCG were given in-depth lectures, skills demonstrations, and exams on various marine science topics by researchers and professors from UP MSI. This is just the beginning for UP MSI, MERF, and the PCG and their long-term plans to sustain a sea change in marine conservation. We need more co-protectors of the ocean and as Dr. Deo Onda said during his talk, “We cannot protect what we don’t know,” alluding to the importance of these workshops.

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