A Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) is forged today, June 29, 2023, between Mindanao State University at Naawan and the Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus in Nishihara Town, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.

The CRA was crafted for the conduct of the research project, “Population genetic structure of bigfin reef squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana in the western Pacific Ocean” by Kotaro Afuso, a Master’s student of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science Department, Graduate School of University of the Ryukyus. The ultimate goal of the study is to survey, document, and reveal bigfin reef squid’s population structure, genetic diversity, and population history to obtain insight into resource management and the effect that Kuroshio Current give population deviation in term of sea life.

With the CRA, Dr. Venus E. Leopardas and Dr. Ruby C. Gonzales, faculty of the College of Marine and Allied Sciences (CMAS), Department of Marine Biology, agreed to collaborate and be involved in the bigfin reef squid collection in Mindanao Island, and its preservation in the laboratory.

(Information from MSU Naawan Facebook Page)