The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has begun establishing the Guiuan Marine Scientific Research Station (MSRS) in Barangay Baras, Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Once completed, the facility will serve as a dedicated center for marine research, training and scientific collaboration in Eastern Visayas, the DENR regional office here said on Monday.

The Guiuan MSRS is designed as a hub for the study of marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems, generating critical scientific data to support the protection, conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources.

The station will also host capacity-building activities, providing training opportunities for researchers, local government personnel, students, and coastal communities.

The facility is expected to support science-based policymaking, climate change resilience planning, and the sustainable development of fisheries and ecotourism, with direct benefits for local fisherfolk and nearby coastal communities.

“Once operational, the research station will strengthen collaboration among government agencies, academic institutions, and local stakeholders, serving as a venue for inter-agency cooperation, field research, and community engagement focused on marine conservation and resource management,” DENR Regional Executive Director Arturo Salazar said.

As part of a nationwide initiative, the Guiuan MSRS will rise on a 1,796-square-meter site and will represent one of the country’s six marine biogeographic regions. (PNA)