A faculty member of the Institute of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas gave a plenary talk at the recently concluded 2024 National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) Annual Scientific Conference and 21st Visayas Regional Assembly in Bacolod City.
Themed “Artificial Intelligence for Responsive Transdisciplinary Research Towards a Sustainable Scientific Future,” the gathering was held at L’Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental on July 23, 2024.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Cherry P. Añasco was one of three plenary speakers at the scientific conference, which brought together around 200 NRCP member-participants of highly-trained scientists and researchers from Visayas and other regions of the country to share and exchange knowledge on the role of Artificial Intelligence in transdisciplinary research.
Titled “Artificial Intelligence in Fisheries and Aquaculture for Enhanced Sustainability and Productivity: Status and Prospects,” Añasco’s talk presented the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) application in the development and intensification of fisheries and aquaculture considering the constantly growing demand of protein from the aquatic products due to the increasing human population.
She underscored that if properly used, AI can address overfishing as well as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
A professor in biostatistics and experimental designs, she added that management and maintenance of AI aquaculture farms are easier and production of aquaculture goods can increase rapidly.
“Artificial intelligence will have a big role in fisheries and aquaculture for enhanced productivity and sustainability. For developing country, which still belongs to fisheries data-deficient such as ours, it would be a steep uphill journey to fully realize the application of AI in our fisheries and aquaculture sector but it is not impossible,” Añasco concluded.
NRCP is a collegial body of the country’s bright minds of researchers, scientists, experts, and artists mandated to promote and support the fundamental or basic research for the continuing improvement of the research capability of individual or group scientists; foster linkages with local and international scientific organizations for enhanced cooperation in the development and sharing of scientific information; provide advice on problems and issues of national interests; and promote the scientific and technological culture to all sectors of the society to build a brighter future for every Filipino.
The event was organized in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Office VI. (With sources from Dr. Cherry P. Añasco)