In March 2011, ecodiver training was conducted for 6 partners of Conservation International – Philippines (CIP). Three partners were from the Local Government of Occidental Mindoro, and the other three were university partners of CIP. The group was joined by 2 trainees from the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute.
The training was conducted by Dr. Wilfredo Licuanan (Course Director of Reef Check Philippines) and Ms. Carina Escudero (Reef Check Instructor). The training venue was the Brother Alfred Shields Marine Station of the De La Salle University in Sitio Matuod, Lian, Batangas.
 The ecodiver trainees enroute to one of the dive sites of Talim Bay.  Using the plumb line for the substrate survey  Outbreaks in the population of Crown-of-Thorns starfish have caused much damage to Philippine reefs.  Talim Bay has plenty of interesting marine life, such as this nudibranch.  This flower sea urchin is not counted in the Reef Check survey, but you have to watch out for it because its spines are extremely venomous!  Close-up shot of moon coral  Two ecodivers from the Local Government of Occidental Mindoro  Recording the survey results |
