This project aims to assess the effectiveness of local Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) through a systematic evaluation of key ecological and socio-economic factors. The project has scope to focus on one or a combination of the following approaches: comparing MPAs with non-MPA sites to evaluate conservation impact, or collecting baseline data from the newest MPAs in the region. Key factors assessed will include contribution to food security (i.e., commercial fish and invertebrate biomass), coral reef health and resilience, ecosystem functioning, touristic value, and other relevant indicators. Research findings should be compared with external regional data to contextualise the status of each factor, which can then be quantified and assigned a weighted value, leading to the development of a ‘Traffic Light System’. This will allow MCP to continue monitoring MPA performance over time, and report results to Local Government Units, stakeholders and other relevant organisations. Alongside this project, the Research Intern will be trained in MCP’s fish and/or invertebrate monitoring methods to support their research. Suggested final outputs include:
(1) development of a ‘Traffic Light System’ tool for MCP to use in future reporting and decision-making;
(2) a comprehensive report on MPA effectiveness for selected sites, including identification of the best and worst performing MPAs and relevant statistical analysis;
(3) any site-specific management recommendations to improve MPA performance.

Application Process:
Submit a CV (max 2 pages) detailing your education and relevant experience
Submit a Cover Letter (max 1 page) outlining your suitability for the research project above
Attend at least one online interview prior to starting

Applicant Requirements:
Essential
Currently undertaking or previously completed a BSc or MSc program in Marine Biology or a related field, or show other academic credentials that make you qualified for a research internship.
Previous experience in marine conservation
Previous experience using MS Excel
Able to commit to four months (minimum) on set start dates, to be discussed upon application
Fluent English speaker
Sociable individual who is comfortable living in a communal environment
Must bring your own laptop for research and data entry
Agree with the stipulations in the MCP Data Sharing Policy

Desirable
Filipino background or familiarity with working in the Philippines
PADI Advanced Open Water qualification (or equivalent) or above
Previous experience living and/or working in remote areas
Previous experience using RStudio
Excellent written English

This project aims to assess the juvenile populations of commercially important fish species using categorical size data to determine population status and inform management decisions. The first phase will involve conducting a review of MCP’s existing dataset to select the study site(s). Subsequent research will focus on understanding the life history and lifespan of different species, identifying any seasonal differences to refine species selection, and determining size thresholds for juvenile-to-adult transitions — critical for recognising when individuals join the breeding population. The project will quantify juvenile population status and may also assess the role of seagrass and/or mangrove habitats during juvenile stages. The Research Intern will also receive training in MCP’s fish monitoring methods to support their research. Suggested final outputs include:
(1) development of a juvenile population assessment method to identify at-risk commercial fish populations, with consideration of their importance to food security for local communities;
(2) a report including an initial review, research findings (with relevant statistical analysis), and potential management recommendations (e.g., minimum catch size limits, fishing moratoriums, or gear revisions);
(3) any suggestions for future research that will support long-term sustainability efforts.

Application Process:
Submit a CV (max 2 pages) detailing your education and relevant experience
Submit a Cover Letter (max 1 page) outlining your suitability for the research project above
Attend at least one online interview prior to starting

Essential Applicant Requirements:
Currently undertaking or previously completed a BSc or MSc program in Marine Biology or a related field, or show other academic credentials that make you qualified for a research internship
At least PADI Advanced Open Water qualification or equivalent  (certification level can be reached at MCP prior to your internship at extra cost.)
Previous experience in marine conservation
Previous experience using MS Excel and RStudio
Able to commit to four month (minimum) on set start dates, to be discussed upon application
Fluent English speaker
Sociable individual who is comfortable living in a communal environment
Must bring your own laptop for research and data entry
Agree with the stipulations in the MCP Data Sharing Policy

Desirable
Filipino background or familiarity with working in the Philippines
Excellent written English
Previous experience living and/or working in remote areas
Excellent written English

Seagrass meadows are vital coastal ecosystems often found adjacent to coral reefs. They temporarily support a wide variety of reef species for purposes such as foraging, shelter, and nursery use. Globally, however, seagrass habitats are in decline. In regions like Southeast Asia, where many coastal communities depend on seagrass-reef systems for their livelihoods, such losses pose a serious threat. As a result, effective seagrass ecosystem management in these areas is crucial.

This project aimed to better understand the ecological connectivity between seagrass and coral reef systems in the Philippines, with the hope of using this information to inform future marine reserve planning. Visual census belt surveys were conducted across Seagrass, Seagrass-Reef Interface, and Reef zones within three sites (i.e., two MPAs, one non-MPA) in Zamboanguita. Fish and invertebrate communities were characterised and compared across zones to determine how closely connected the ecosystems are.

Results varied by site. In Maluay, Malatapay and Lutoban North MPA, fish assemblages did not differ significantly across zones. Around 20% of fish species were found in both the Seagrass and Reef zones, suggesting strong connectivity. Observed habitat use by fish included foraging, nursery use, and potential breeding activity.

In contrast, Dalakit MPA displayed much lower connectivity: fish communities were significantly different between zones, and only 8% of fish species were shared between Seagrass and Reef areas. This may be due to the layout of the site itself, which lacks a Seagrass-Reef Interface zone and has a relatively small reef area.

Invertebrate communities also showed distinct patterns. Community composition differed significantly between zones at all sites, most likely due to specific ecological niche requirements. However, between 17% and 30% of invertebrate species were shared between Seagrass and Reef zones, suggesting that gene flow may still occur across these habitats.

Overall, these findings support the idea that ecosystem connectivity between seagrass and reef habitats is highly site-specific and can be influenced by MPA design. It is also recommended that seagrass meadows be formally incorporated into additional MPAs across Negros Oriental. Protecting commercially important fish species that move between habitats during critical life stages, preserving distinct invertebrate communities, and supporting gene flow will allow for both greater food security, and greater conservation of overall diversity and ecosystem health within the region.

This project explores how we can communicate with the local fisherfolk about the benefits thats MPAs (marine protected areas) can provide for them– namely providing them with a larger catch outside the boundaries of the MPAs. The overall hypothesis is that MPAs can restore fish populations that have been depleted due to overfishing and can start a spillover effect. A spillover effect occurs when fish levels rise within an area and forces them to expand their area, thus providing larger fish catches outside the MPAs. At the same time this project examines the effectiveness of MPAs by exploring how well enforced they are. For example if they have a coast guard (banday dagat) at the MPA, if there is a boat patrolling, if there is a local fisheries association to look after the local MPA etc. Furthermore, this project looks for differences in fish abundance, diversity and biomass between fish catches and underwater transect surveys.

MCP is investigating this by interviewing fisherfolk about gear, where they fish, time spent on fishing, fish species and catch size. This project is based on fish catch monitoring and CPUE (catch per unit effort – fishing effort), which will give an idea of where they get the biggest catches. We also use underwater fish surveys to compare the fish catch diversity on land with the diversity found through underwater surveys.

It is vitally important to explore and understand how to establish effective MPAs. If one wants to have effective MPAs it is necessary to understand what gear is used, what species are fished, what fish exists in the area and so forth. By undertaking regular monitoring of fisheries, we can find signs of any overfishing that occurs. Constant and continuous underwater monitoring provides an idea of how well the MPA is functioning.