BSMB students dive for Coral Observation
By Christopher R. Balaba & Charlemagne P. Recente, USTP Panaon Faculty
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Students from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) in Panaon, Misamis Occidental, taking Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology (BSMB), conducted a Coral Observation at the coastal waters of Barangay Punta, Panaon last March 21, 2023.
![Student Divers](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Student-Divers.jpg)
Mr. Charlemagne P. Recente, Marine Biology Faculty, and other licensed student-divers joined the thirty-four 3rd year Marine Biology students for the field observation. This activity aims to familiarize students with various coral species as well as the sexual behaviors of corals at night.
![Student Divers taking selfie pictures](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Student-Divers-taking-selfie-pictures.jpg)
Before going diving, the students made sure the Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) gear was in good shape and had enough compressed air. Students were advised to dive with a buddy as a general rule in SCUBA diving so that someone could look after them during the activity, especially since it is a night diving activity.
![Underwater Activity](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Underwater-Activity-1.png)
![Underwater Activity](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Underwater-Activity-2.png)
Corals are more active at night compared to daytime since most species and other lifeforms were observed with polyps actively collecting suspended particles. A total of thirty-four coral species were identified, and most were massive corals. It was further observed that some species of branching corals are partially spawning under the genus Acropora.
![Coral Shot](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-Shot-7.jpg)
![Coral Shot](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-Shot-3.png)
![Coral Shot](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-Shot-5.png)
![Coral Shot](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-Shot-8.jpg)
![Coral Shot](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-Shot-4.png)
![Coral Shot](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-Shot-9.png)
![Coral Shot](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-Shot-1.jpg)
![Coral Shot](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-Shot-2.jpg)
![Coral Shot](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-Shot-10.png)
![Coral Shot](https://www.ustp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-Shot-6.png)