The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST, President Hong Gi-hoon) recently announced the publication of Marine Life of Guimaras, Philippines, an illustrated guide to the marine life that inhabits the coastal areas of the Province of Guimaras in the Philippines, which has recently attracted global attention for the high diversity of marine life there.

Co-authored by a KIOST research team led by senior researcher Dr. Lee Youn-ho and Professors Alfredo Campos and Miguel Fortes  at the University of the Philippines, the book is a compilation of photographs taken in the tropical waters of Guimaras of a total 362 species, including around 100 fish species, 180 corals and marine invertebrates, and 80 species of marine plants. It also provides detailed information on the distribution, biological classification, and physiological and ecological characteristics of each organism.

The book is a result of the “Management of the Marine Protection Zone of the Coasts of the Province of Guimaras, Philippines” project that was launched by KIOST as part of the Yeosu Project in 2015 and sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea Foundation.

The Yeosu Project is a program that provides assistance to developing countries in commemoration of EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea with the goal of keeping the spirit of the Yeosu Declaration alive. Through this project, KIOST has established a system for the management of the marine protection zone spanning the eastern coastal areas of Guimaras in which local residents can participate and installed a monitoring station, monitoring vessel, and surveillance buoy. Last August, a ceremony was held to mark the completion of the station’s construction.

Dr. Lee commented, “This book is the first compilation of the beautiful and diverse marine life living in the waters of Guimaras. Not only will it serve as valuable basic data for programs supporting the sustainable growth of the region and the livelihoods of locals through the preservation of marine life resources, but it will also be utilized as a guide for the marine and eco-tourism programs offered to the many tourists that visit Guimaras.”