In a continuing collaboration with the University of Sydney in Australia, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) held a “Book Sprint” event in Palawan, Philippines, from October 10 to 13.
The event further developed the groundwork established during the Expert Elicitation Workshop (EEW) in April 2023.
The primary goal of this collaborative effort was to address the gaps identified in the initial findings of the EEW, with a specific focus on developing the State of the Marine Resources Report.
This report plays a vital role in the implementation of the Marine Resource Initiative (MRI) Project in Palawan, dedicated to safeguarding the region’s marine resources.
Professor Elaine Baker, Chair of UNESCO Marine Science at the University of Sydney and Principal Investigator of the Marine Resources Initiative–Marine Spatial Mapping Project, led the event.
The project is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in collaboration with Geoscience Australia (GA) and the University of Sydney.
The ‘Book Sprint’ was a collaborative writing exercise, bringing together marine resource specialists and researchers to share their technical knowledge regarding Palawan’s marine resources.
Dr. Billy Tusker Haworth, a Geospatial specialist from the University of Sydney, facilitated this exercise, alongside local marine experts, including Dr. Benjamin Gonzales, Dr. Maria Mojena Plasus, and Dr. Roger Dolorosa from the Western Philippines University.
The final outcome of this collaborative effort, the State of the Marine Resources Report, will serve as a cornerstone for the MRI Project in Palawan.
This project, dedicated to marine conservation and protection, is a joint effort between PCSDS and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). Funding for the project is provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of Australia.