Sailing Order No. Dyca-03-2008 March 19 ? April 02, 2008
 
INTRODUCTION
 
Centered for Taxonomical and Morphological studies on the deep-sea benthic fauna of the Philippines, the ?LUMIWAN? (Lubang, Mindoro and Palawan) or the Cruise DY08 of M/V DA-BFAR was jointly undertaken by the Museum National d?Histoire Naturelle (MNHN) of Paris, France; the Smithsonian Institution of Washington DC, USA; the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) of the Philippines; and the University of San Carlos (USC) of Cebu City, Philippines. This is a continuation of the expedition series under the ?Census of Marine Life? project which started from Panglao Island, Bohol 2004; a land-based research/expedition and in 2005 onboard M/V DA-BFAR which then acclaimed the area of Panglao, Bohol, Cebu and Northern Mindanao triangle as the most intensively inventoried area in the tropics in terms of benthic fauna, and during CY 2007 in the Philippine Pacific Seaboard which covered the continental slope along Baler Bay and Casiguran Sound, Dingalan Bay, Polillo Strait, Lamon Bay and vicinities. A total of forty-one (41) local and foreign experts from various scientific and technical fields assembled in a common purpose to uncover lifeforms underneath the great depths around the areas of Lubang Island, Western Mindoro Area and Northern Palawan particularly off Busuanga Island. This gathering was represented by thirteen (13) academic and scientific/research institutions from eight (8) countries. Necessary funding was sourced from anonymous donor through Mr. Stephen Cairns of the Smithsonian Institution, a participant of the Cruise. The area covered which was identified by the investigators from numerous basis not just targets to broaden the deep-sea species catalogue of the country but as well somehow hasten the claim that the Philippines is the center of marine biodiversity in the world.
 
The Cruise is partly conducted for centenary commemoration of the intensive deep sea explorations conducted by the steamer USS Albatross from 28 November 1907 to 21 January 1910 in the country as ordered by the US Bureau of Fisheries. That was the first deep-sea fishery survey coupled with biological and oceanographic studies conducted in the country?s vast oceanic and coastal waters. The cruise paved in the discovery of a glypheid burrowing shrimp (Neoglyphea inopinata) which believed as a living fossil. It was during its fifth cruise on 17 July 1908 that the Albatross trawled up from 187 m deep at station D5278 off Malavatuan Island (14°00'00?N, 120°17'15?E) near Lubang Island that the said shrimp was discovered. The whole Expedition yielded a total 400,000 and 89,000 specimen of fish and mollusks respectively which are until now are subject of taxonomic and other related scientific studies in the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA. Since then it triggered a series of deep sea expeditions (MUSORSTOM Expedition) in the country from 1976, 1981 and 1985 lead by French scientists.
 
Previous studies resulted from the myriad of samples conveyed by the series of deep-sea expeditions undertaken in the country have already proved its value in medicine and other industrial applications. This deep-sea investigation has not only unraveled the deep-sea fauna in terms of presence, distribution patterns, biodiversity and morphological appearances shaped by time and evolution but as well for fishery potentials. In relation thereto, the Cruise was also in time for the Bureau?s proposed ?Deep Sea Fishery Resource Exploration? for this year to be conducted in collaboration with SEAFDEC-TD, Thailand in participation of representatives/fishery experts from other SEAFDEC Member Countries. Initial but vital data acquired in this Cruise will be much beneficial in the planned pilot undertaking by the Bureau for the formulation of future deep sea resource management and exploitation plans.
 
The ?LUMIWAN?/DY08 Cruise was conducted for the following objectives:
 
    To prepare an inventory of the deep-water benthic fauna of the South China Sea
    To continue the transfer of scientific and technological know-how for deep sea exploration to the staff of the University of San Carlos and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
    To provide a framework for the conservation and management of deep-sea fauna
    To evaluate the deep-water organisms for their ecological, scientific, economic and cultural values.
 
PARTICIPANTS
Officers and Crew of M/V DA-BFAR
 
No. Name Position
1. Ernaldo T. Cawaling Captain
2. Crisaldo B. Pagliawan Chief Mate
3. Renato Bacordo 2nd Mate
4. Jerome Rodriguez Radio Operator
5. Cleto B. Rafer, Jr. Elect. Comm. Eqpt. Tech. II
6. Adorado C. Cainglit Chief Engineer
7. Loida Cainglit Cruise Coordinator
8. Florencio Seranillo 2nd Asst. Engineer
9. Armilo B. Pagliawan 2nd Asst. Engineer
10. Eduardo Butac Boatswain
11. Mariano Odhoy Boatswain
12. Domingo Asuncion Masterfisherman Purse Seine
13. Remar Asuncion Masterfisherman Tuna Longline/Trawl
14. Sulverio Rico Quartermaster
15. Elpidio Mendoza Fisherman
16. Victorino Sulla Fisherman
17. Armando Laguidao Fisherman
18 Domingo Miguel Skiffman
19. Donato Llenarez Skiffman
20. Joseph Bandala Seaman
21. Cesar Amines Seaman
22. Glenn Hallado Lightboatman
23. Fel G. Maata Marine Engineman I
24. Benigno Magno Consultant (Trawl)
25. Rufino Pagao Skilled Laborer, Masterfisherman
26. Servillano Mendoza Skilled Laborer, Masterfisherman
27. Randy Cawaling Skilled Laborer, Fisherman
28. Ronald Villafuerte Skilled Laborer, Fisherman
29. Eduardo Tuzon Skilled Laborer, Fisherman
30. Anthony Gonzales Skilled Laborer, Fisherman
31. Nelor A. Sualog, Jr. Skilled Laborer, Project Assistant
32. Fred Cabello Skilled Laborer, Cook
33. Niel Mendoza Apprentice, Deck Department
34. Arnel Santiago Apprentice, Deck Department
35. Ryan Pida Apprentice, Deck Department
36. Ramon Ramirez Jr. Apprentice, Engine Department
 
M/V DA-BFAR Scientific Group:
No. Name Position
1. Rafael V. Ramiscal Chief Scientist
2. Pierre Easter Velasco Researcher
3. Joeren Yleaña Researcher, Fishing Technology
4. Jennifer Viron Researcher, Chemical Oceanography
5. Rhoda Servid Researcher, Biological Oceanography
6. Riczyneth Ampoyos Researcher, Physical Oceanography
7. Roger Fortaliza Research Assistant
8. Che Che Salcepuedes Research Assistant
9. Marlo Demo-os Research Assistant
10. Robin Escriba Research Assistant
11. Rio Gene Alzuelo Research Assistant
12. Shiela Manero Research Assistant
 
Other Participants (Local and Foreign Scientists)
Belgium
Dr Laure CORBARI, University of Liège
 
France
Mr Jean-François BARAZER, fishing master
Dr Philippe BOUCHET, MNHN
Ms Barbara BUGE, MNHN
Dr Rudo van COSEL, MNHN
Dr Simon TILLIER, MNHN
 
New Caledonia
Dr Bertrand RICHER DE FORGES, IRD, Nouméa
 
Philippines
Mr. Andres ANDALIS, NMP
Mr Jo ARBASTO, fisherman, Panglao Island, Bohol
Mr William BAUTISTA, NMP
Mr Richard PARILLA, University of San Carlos
Mr. Rod REYES, FishBase
Mr. Noel SAGUIL, USC Associate
Mr. Dave VALLES, University San Carlos
Mr Nenito OTERO II, University San Carlos
Dr. Teodora Bagarinao, SEAFDEC-AQD, Tigbauan, Iloilo
 
Russia
Dr Sonya PYATAEVA, Lomonosov State University, Moscow
 
Singapore
Mr Jose Christopher E. MENDOZA, National University, Singapore
Dr Peter NG, National University, Singapore
Dr TAN Swee Hee, National University, Singapore
T. Naruse, National University, Singapore
Taiwan
Dr Tin-Yam CHAN, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung
Mao-Yin LEE, Academia Sinica, Taipei
Dr Yunn-Chih LIAO, Academia Sinica, Taipei
Dr Cia-Wei LIN, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung
 
USA
Dr Stephen CAIRNS, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
Dr Chris MEYER, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
Mr John STARMER; University of Florida, Gainesville
Dr Ellen STRONG, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
 
METHODOLOGY
 
Suitability of M/V DA-BFAR
 
Designed to undertake oceanographic and fisheries research, training, and management programs for the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone and the high seas beyond, the M/V DA-BFAR once again proved its vitality and versatility in the conduct of deep-sea resource explorations. It has state of the art scientific, technical, and mechanical equipment for navigation, hydro-acoustics, communications, oceanography, fishing, and post-harvest handling. For LUMIWAN 2008, the vessel was used to collect benthic fauna mainly by means of beam trawls and Waren?s dredge that were brought on board by the expedition team. It is fitted with trawl drums/windlass capable of holding a 24mm cable wire of length reaching down to 2,000 (plus) meters. Its various sounding and bottom detection equipments onboard (Fathometers and Scientific echo-sounders) were the determinants of the success of every operation.
 
Gears and Deployment
 
In order collect benthic organisms at various depths of soft, muddy, coral bounded to rock bottoms, M/V DA-BFAR was fitted with otter-trawl, beam-trawl and dredge (Table 1 and Figure1). The dredge which target to sample harder and more irregular topography, towing duration lasts only from 15 to 25 minutes during the cruise. Beam trawl towing period ranged from 20 min to 1 hour depending on bottom topography and other unforeseen mechanical malfunction. On the other hand, the otter trawl which was only used on the last day of the cruise; towing or drag duration was only from 30 ? 35 minutes. Prior every setting of gears, topographic survey using sounding and acoustic systems/equipments onboard was conducted. Through this, the type of substrate is determined to suit to the gear to be deployed.
 
Table 1. Gears' Specifications.
 
Gear Dimensions General Specifications
Dredge

0.7 m (Horinzontal opening) X 0.30 m (Vertical Opening)

1 m wide and 0.75 m long
  • Bag 3-ply netting, 1.5 meters in length encased by strong iron net
  • Made of very strong and sturdy metal of about 1cm thick
  • With chains attached with ground rope to steadily hold the gear on
    substrate while dragging.
  • Named after its Swedish inventor Anders Waren.
  • Deployed at seafloor for about 15 minutes depending on topography

    		•
    Beam-Trawl 4 m (Beam) X 0.35 m (Height of shoe)
  • Kept open by 6'X 6' heavy duty wooden Beam attached to iron runners at both ends
  • Fine-meshed end capable of holding muddy substrates.
  • Lead-line/sinkerline is also of chain to allow digging in the substrate.
  • Towed for 30-60 min on the seafloor depending on the topography
    		•
    Otter Trawl 15 m. Lead line  
     
    Onboard Catch Treatments
      Sieving and Fractioning
      Upon hauling of the gear, the catch is empted into plastic containers and sieved successively in 10, 5, 2.5, 1, and 0.5 mm sieve mesh sizes. This is aided by constantly running seawater (vessel?s fire hydrant) to easily clean and remove mud and other unwanted debris. Floating and soft tissue macro organisms such as fishes, echinoderms, crustaceans and were removed first and cleaned in order to retain their forms. Fractions of last sieve were also kept microscopic specimens.
     
      Sorting
      Sorting was done on white wooden table placed at portside of the vessels main deck. Upon washing and sieving with various mesh sized sieves, the collected macro benthic organisms were carefully separated by hand or by forceps from stones and other unwanted debris. Temperature was kept low by provision of ice in each of the sorting trays. This is to ensure near natural form/structure and appearance of specimens for photographs and tissue sampling. Specimens were sorted according to the following different taxa represented in the collections (responsible personnel):
     
    • Molluscs and brachiopods (P Bouchet, R von Cosel, B Buge, D Valles, N Otero)
    • Wood and wood-associated animals (S Tillier, L Corbari, C Salcepuedes, S Manero)
    • Scleractinians, octocorals, and anemones (S Cairns, T Bagarinao, RG Alzuelo, R Fortaliza)
      • Hydroids, medusae, sponges (S Pyataeva, RG Alzuelo)
    • Echinoderms and associates (J Starmer, R Ampoyos, R Servidad, J. Viron)
    • Fishes (YC Liao, MY Li, R Reyes, R Parilla, R Ramiscal, J Yleana)
    • Crabs and hermit crabs (SW Tan, T Naruse, JC Mendoza)
    • Shrimps, lobsters, pycnogonids (TY Chan, CW Lin, R Ramiscal, R Escriba) Multiple phyla (B du Forges, T Bagarinao)
     
    Preservation/Fixation
     
    Collected and sorted samples were fixed/preserved either by 70% ethanol or 10% formaldehyde solution. By species, fish samples were preserved/sank in a plastic container with 10% formaldehyde solution with proper labeling in it. On the other hand, crustaceans were sealed in a plastic with 70% ethanol. Other taxa specimens were treated appropriately the same. Same working group as above (sorting) were in charged per taxa in preservation/fixation.
     
    For tissue sampling for DNA analysis and barcoding, live specimens of gastropods, bivalves, cnidarians, echinoderms, and sponges were kept on ice and treated with cold 5?8% magnesium chloride to relax them for tissue sampling and photography. Tissue samples were immersed in absolute ethanol for DNA analysis and barcoding at the Smithsonian Institution (E Strong, C Meyer, J Starmer).
     
    Documentation
    To ensure that no data was taken for granted, a database was devised to record actual positions of stations by Global Position System (PGS) readings, minimum and maximum depth of the area of collection, station number, date of collection and method or the type of implement used of collection. A group recorded the station data and collections, took pictures of the specimens, working area, and the participants, and other necessary documentations for the records and reports use. The MUSORSTOM coding series was followed during gear operations. A water/reagent proof paper and carbon pencils were used for labeling of specimens with the following information (Figure 2.):
     
    Figure 2. Format of Label used During LUMIWAN 2008 Cruise
     
    RESULTS
    Coverage
    The deep sea expedition covered the areas from north to eastern Lubang Island side, Verde Island Passage, Balayan Bay, Northern and western Mindoro side and along northeast and northwestern part of Busuanga Island (Figure3) covered from March 19 to April 02, 2008. A total of 68 dragging stations were sampled comprised of 59 beam trawls CP, five Waren dredges DW, and four otter trawls CC (Appendix 2). Stations? depth ranged from the shallowest of 105 meters (DW2861) to the deepest of 2,249 meters (CP2910). Deeper stations were observed off Northwestern Busuanga which ranged from LUMIWAN 2008 CP 2861 105-110M 23/03/2008 Cruise Name Station Number Depth Range Date Figure 2. Format of Label used During LUMIWAN 2008 Cruise DY08/LUMIWAN_CFD/Desktop/Joeren/DY08/Cruise_rep 9 1,567 meters (CP2908 setting) to 2,249 meters (CP2910 Dragging). To extract further as to depth range of sampled stations, it is presented as:
     
    <250 m = 20 stations
    251-800 m = 28 stations
    801-1500 = 11 stations
    1,501-2,000+ = 9 stations
     
    Since the MUSORSTOM coding system was followed during this expedition, the number series started with 2861 and ended at 2928. Some of the stations were unsuccessful due to a number of mechanical and topographic irregularities. There were also noteworthy ?garbage stations? (e.g. station CP2914) wherein almost all of the catch were garbage of terrestrial origin such plastic bags, rubbers and other non-biodegradable substances. It imposed such impacts that these stations collected a least or almost nothing of life forms.
     
    Figure 3. LUMIWAN 2008/DY08 Cruise Coverage Area
    Catch Results (Initial)
    Scleractinians, octocorals, and Anemones
    By: Dr. Stephen Cairns, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA
     
    The LUMIWAN 2008 expedition must be considered as a complete success regarding the collection of benthic Anthozoa, otherwise known as ?corals?. 1008 deep-water scleractinian (stony corals) specimens were collected representing 65 species, slightly over 40% of the known fauna of this region. Although most of these species are described (perhaps 2-3 are new), the value of the collection rests in the fact that all species were subsampled for subsequent DNA analysis, which will facilitate future identification and phylogenetic analyses. Graduate student Marcelo Kitahara (James Cook University) and Nancy Knowlton (Smithsonian) are eagerly awaiting these samples for molecular analysis. S. Cairns will work on the morphological component. It was also gratifying to collect one sample of Lophelia pertusa, one of the few cosmopolitan species of stony corals and the key species constituting deep-water coral reefs, but heretofore unknown from the Philippines. Thirteen specimens of Antipatharia (black corals) were collected and subsampled for DNA. This group is poorly known from the Philippines and thus most of these may be new to science. Dennis Opresko (Oak Ridge National Lab) and Mercer Brugler (University of Louisiana) will be particularly interested in these specimens. Approximately 150 specimens of Octocorallia (sea fans) were collected, almost half of these sea pens. Of the remaining half, many were of the family Primnoidae, which will be studied by co-PI Stephen Cairns and Scott France (University of Louisiana). Of particular interest was a single collection of the precious coral Corallium, a first for the Philippines, and an indication that this exotic genus, which has spawned commercial industries in the Mediterranean, Hawaiian Islands, and Japan, also occurs in this region.
     
    Fishes
    A total of 1,787 tails of deep fish were collected during the entire expedition which weighed a sum of 94.776 kilograms. On an average, 7.764 species of fish were collected at 68 stations. Out of the sixty one (61) station preliminary analyzed (68 stations total covered), there was already a total representative of eighty-four (84) families comprised of one hundred ninety-seven (197) species of deep sea fish species. Collected specimens from the expedition were divided into for FishBase Philippines (c/o Mr. Rudy Reyes) and Academia Sinica, Taipei for further taxonomical, documentary and DNA treatments.
     
    Crustaceans (Crabs, Lobsters and Shrimps)
    Indications of deep sea shrimps and lobsters were profound of fishery potentials. Further analysis of their distribution and density studies will be processed in a separate paper to be later presented. The presence of deep sea shrimp and lobsters such as species which belong to the genera Heterocarpus, Plesionika, Metanephrops (lobster) and Metapeneneaus poses its vitality for exploitation ground.
     
    Other Taxa
    The expedition yielded a total of fifty-one (51) tubs of collected deep sea specimens. These are also to be subjected for further treatments to be really assessed their diversity index and other studies related thereto. Other collected life forms such as representative of taxa including, molluscs and brachiopods, hydroids, medusae, sponges, echinoderms and associates and other belonging to a multiple phyla will sent to partipant?s laboratories both locally and abroad for close investigation in order to describe their taxonomical and morphological features. At present it will be uncertain to estimate the actual count of species collected as represented by the each of the taxa group. The multitude of the collection is yet to be examined carefully. Thus, it will be provided by every lead investigator and be printed accordingly later.
    disembark
    Appendix 1
     
    DY08 CRUISE LOG
     
    Census of Philippines Deep-Sea Biodiversity
    M/V DA-BFAR LUMIWAN 2008 Cruise
     
    “Survey of the deep-water benthic fauna of the South China Sea and adjacent waters
    on board the M/V DA-BFAR”
     
    Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippines
    Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
    University of San Carlos, Cebu, Philippines
     
    Day Activities
    March 19, 2008 Wednesday Departed Pier 4 North Harbor, Metro Manila for DY08 Cruise (?LUMIWAN?_2008) at around 1100H. A short opening program was held at the vessel?s classroom welcoming the foreign and local participants of the expedition. Prior to that, 26 foreign and local participants from various scientific and academic institutions started to board the vessel at around 0900H. Gears (Beam Trawl, Dredge and Otter Trawl) were arranged and prepared for deployment. Mr. Philippe Bouchet of Muséum National d?Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France conducted a cruise briefing at around 1330H regarding the general plan, survey area, working groups/assignments to work with different animal taxa. Vessel proceeded to Sangley Point to unload and leave skiffboat to moor at ?Baradero de Manila?. Deck and gear preparations continued until around 2200H.
    March 20, 2008 Thursday Departed Sangley Point Cavite at around 0800H after vessel?s crew and engineers successfully unloaded the skiffboat and endorsed to M/V Maya-Maya duty officers for temporary custody. Deck preparations were undertaken while underway for target DY08/LUMIWAN_CFD/Desktop/Joeren/DY08/Cruise_rep 12 survey areas north and northeastern side of Mindoro. The activities include gear preparations as well as deck machineries conditioning. Laboratories were prepared and arranged as per taxa working group. Arrived target site and started tracking at around 1900H.
    March 21, 2008 Friday Vessel still opted tracking of targeted stations around North and Northwestern side of Lubang Island. Topographic data acquired at each of the tracks sounded is vital in determining the success and failure of the succeeding trawl operations. Only minor deck works were undertaken during the day due to the observance of Good Friday among Christians onboard.
    March 22, 2008 Saturday For the whole day vessel still tracks the areas to be operated around Balayan Bay, Verde Island Passage and Northern waters of Mindoro. During Tracking operations, Vessel speed was maintained only around 3-5 knots to have a lesser topographic sounding errors. Late night, vessel safely anchored at NW of Lubang Island.
    March 23, 2008 Sunday Vessel arrived and started tracking for drag route from 0140H (end 1st track/Position Lat 14_3.4?N Long 120_23.4?E) until 0233H (end 3rd Track/Position Lat 14_03.8N Long 120_22.4?E) and adrift at 0400H (Lat 14_04.03N Long 120_25.23). Work for the day started early at 0430H; all deckhands, researchers and scientists were alerted for succeeding drags. Eight (8) beam trawl drags and a dredge operation were conducted until 1750H (DW_2861 and CP_2862 to CP_2869). Out of the nine operations, only seven (7) were noted successful; two sets failed due to broken beam (CP_2866) and torn net (CP_2869). In addition, three payaos were accidentally entangled with the beam trawl (1 unit in CP_2865 and 2 units in CP_2866) which damaged the gear. Sampling depth ranged from 105 to 640 meters.
       
      Catch were considered low in volume and in composition (?). Important species of shrimps for fisheries were nil/ insignificant in terms of volume. Fish species composition averaged at seventeen (17) per station. Notable catch with commercial value was two tails of scorpion fish caught at about 600 and 900 grams apiece at station No. CP_2867. At 2100H, vessel anchored safely at position Lat. 14_03.96? Long 120_16.53? (17.6 NM North of Lubang Island).
    March 24, 2008 Monday At 0415H, vessel started to heave anchor at Simo Bank (Lat 14_03.9N Long 120_16.5E) and proceeded to drag station CP_2870 at 0440H. Trawl drag depths this day ranged from 183 m (CP_2870) to 627 meters (CP_2877) which was deeper than the previous day. At around 1200H, only three drags were accomplished due to repeated main engine malfunctions which shortened the drag durations. Still a total of eight (8) beam trawl DY08/LUMIWAN_CFD/Desktop/Joeren/DY08/Cruise_rep 13 drags was accomplished at the end of the day. Main deck activities ended at 1820H after hauling station CP_2877. Tree (3) operations (CP_2871, CP_2874 and CP_2877) accidentally (again) entwined with the payaos? mooring lines.
       
      In station No. CP_2874 (Lat 13_55.0 N Long 120_27.5/10.5 NM from Batangas shore b/w Lubang Island), significant catch of deep sea shrimps was observed. At only ten minutes of dragging time, it yielded 2.07 kilograms, comprised of eight (8) species with 60% (1.25 kg) of the total weight of which was of Plesionika semilaevis.
       
      At 2000H, the vessel dropped anchor (2 shackles) 1 mile from the shore of Calatagan, Batangas (Lat 13_48.3N Long 120_36.6E) at depth of 28.1 meters.
       
    March 25, 2008 Tuesday Vessel, left anchorage at 0405H to start dragging at target deployment sites. Seven (7) stations (CP_2878 to CP_2884) were accomplished located in the vicinity of Verde Is. Passage and Balayan Bay (about 4.5 NM from shoreline) from 0525H to 1815H. Depth of operation ranged from the shallowest of 242 meters to 873 meters.
       
      An uncommon species of shell scientifically known as Acharax
    bartchii(large, dark and “purse-like” as jenny described) was
    among the interesting catch of the day. At around 1515H, vessel
    approached nearshore of Calatagan, Batangas and lowered utility
    boat to service Noel Saguil to pick up chemical and other much
    needed laboratory materials at local PCG station
       
      Two target tracks near the central coastline of Balayan Bay were not pursued. At 1915H, Mr. Saguil and company were then picked-up. Sampling using bongo net was done on the way to anchorage near Maricaban island. From 1948H to 2015, two 10-15 minute surface tows were accomplished collecting interesting samples of Cnidarians and other organisms. At 2205H, vessel was safely anchored at Masasa Point (Lat13_38.4N Long120_51.7).
       
    March 26, 2008 Wednesday

    Two main engine shut-off due to air system malfunctions, overturned beam, lost beam trawl and two cancelled stations were all of the setbacks of the day.

       
      The first set early in the morning (CP_2885) after 30 minutes dragging resulted to nothing when the gear oveturned possibly due to faulty towing line setting speed (too fast). Another setback occurred after hauling operation No. CP_2888 (Lat 13_33.616 Long 120_27.973) at around 1210H. A complete unit of beam trawl including anchor chain and cylindrical swivel was lost when cable wire was cut likely due to bottom snag. Main engine shut offs at around 1300H and 1637H due to fuel supply failures wich DY08/LUMIWAN_CFD/Desktop/Joeren/DY08/Cruise_rep 14 caused delays in operations of the day. Six (6) operations were conducted but only 3 were successful (CP_2886, CP_2887 and DW_2889). At 2100H (Lat13_05.3N Long120_33.1E), a 10- minute plankton net tow was done. The rest of the night was spent tracking the target drag stations at the western side of Mindoro.
       
    March 27, 2008 Thursday Since day one of the expedition, the challenge among personnel onboard starts at dawn and ends late at night. As usual, from drifting position the operation started at 0500H with CP_2891 (Lat. 12_27.106 Long 120_35.819). Intense anticipation was felt as early as the first haul but it was immediately changed into disappointment when the haul collected nothing. The net was severely damaged maybe due to heavy loads or obstruction to the beam. Succeeding two stations (CP_2892 and CP_2893) were successfully deployed and hauled but collection was not significant.
       
      At CP_2895 (Lat 12_15.276 Long 120_34.216/1215H), a muddy bunt seemed worthless not until an alien looking Isopod of about 10 inches in total length was washed out of the dirt by the sieve group. It was the catch of the day. Everybody had their most treasured glance and photo taken with the thing. It was then rushed to the laboratory for documentation and preservation treatments. This is also considered as the drag of the day because of the collection of one of the rarest deep-sea fish species (overshadowed by the Isopod) which belong to the family Opiphidae and an albino blind fish (Barathronus sp.). Mr. Li, the Taiwanese taxonomist onboard, explained that the species caught (referred to the albino blind fish) has a strange key for its identification which is the presence of a penis (if male) inside its belly. The first and only holo type of such species was collected in the Indian Ocean in the year 1917, he added.
       
      As night falls, after a long wait and high anticipation among scientists, since the drags were too deep, in hauling CP_2895, the towing cable tension was strangely too taut thus everybody were alerted away from danger. Anytime the cable may snap and injure anybody on its path. Hence, during the whole haul the siren was rang and as believed the beam trawl bag/bunt was gone in the darkness of the deep bringing with it what may have been the most interesting catch of the day.
       
      A total of six deep stations (CP_2891 ? CP_2896) at the areas just 4 to 9 nautical miles off western side of Mindoro which ranged from 778 to 1677 meters ( so far the deepest for the cruise). At around 2230H, silence was felt in the vessel as the call for finish engine was ringed.
       
    March 28, 2008 Friday A series of damages to the net caused by unknown factors of the depth really hampered the targeted number of drags of the day. DY08/LUMIWAN_CFD/Desktop/Joeren/DY08/Cruise_rep 15 Just at the second haul of the day (CP_2898) at around 0825H, the beam was literally detached from both of its shoes which subsequently damaged the net. After hauling CP_2899, vessel engineers decided to change the fuel (biodiesel) which may has some impurities and was the suspected cause of series of main engine shut offs, thus she stayed adrift near to next target station. The trawling resumed at 1610H at station CP_2900 (Lat. 12_19.797? Long 120_41.467?). The tedious deck works continued until 2320H, after hauling station CP_2902 (Lat. 12_22.871? long 120_24.912?). Six stations were accomplished until late night (2320H). Deepest station sampled was at CP_2901 which registered down to 1,229 meters. Catch were non- interesting find.
       
    March 29, 2008 Saturday At 0335H, the main engine was awakened and anchor was then heaved up for CP_2903 at 32 NM Northwest of Busuanga. The hauls brought up few specimens of different animal taxa and still considered not fascinating for the group. Added to the damages caused to the nets the past few days, at around 1615H at station No. DW_2907 (Lat 12_09.371? Long 25.002?) and barely 500 meters left of cable to haul; the vessel was seemed to move unusually astern caused by sudden terrain irregularities. Immediately cable became too taut and suddenly snapped. The problem on long delay was immediately attended in by all working hands onboard. While the crew was busy fixing and connecting the wire cable to replace the snapped/lost one, the vessel proceeded to NW side of Busuanga for the target drags of the next day. Only five (5) stations were dragged for the day (2-Dredge and 3-Beam Trawl).
       
      This has been another one of the not so lucky day of the ?LUMIWAN 2008? Cruise. Hauls were found insignificant and other mechanical malfunctions continually hamper the cruise objectives.
       
    March 30, 2008 Sunday Seems that a long wait of every drag for this day were worthwhile. A big log (suspected as that of mangrove tree) on which attached were interesting minute univalves and other mollusk at station CP_2010, an albino crab at same station, planktonic Ascidians which appear like a mixed jelly and shrimps comprised almost 50% of the catch at station CP_2911 and at station CP_2912 a tripod fish and a big deep sea crab (Pavalomis sp.- same as what was caught by deep sea traps operation during Cruise DY05 in SE of Sarangani Island) were among just visibly worthy to note for this day?s high spirited expectation.
       
      From 0440H until 1825H, six deep drags were accomplished at NW off Busuanga Islands with a mean depth of 1,905.8 meters with the deepest was registered at Station No. CP_2911 (2,096 - 2,222 meters). It took 50-55 minutes to set and and same time to DY08/LUMIWAN_CFD/Desktop/Joeren/DY08/Cruise_rep 16 haul at these depths, thus dragging time was also prolonged to increase the probability of collection. Lead rope/chain was added of weight to make sure that the net?s mouth is in constant contact with the substrate.
       
      At 1835H, vessel steamed back and headed 24 to 25 degrees (True North) to areas North of Lubang Island for the next day?s tracks and drags which is about 118 Nautical Miles from the last drag position.
       
    March 31, 2008 Monday A bit of bottom water clean-up sure made our day. Small catches were consistent in almost all stations, however an unexpected catch was taken in CP2914 at lat 14_01.481 and long 120_00.374 with depths 2005-1980m. A massive collection of garbage made up mainly of plastic filled up the whole beam trawl such that it was decided that the catch be sprawled in the deck be cleaned up first before sieving. The result was due to proximity of a deep sea dumping site located West off Corregidor Island (See NAMRIA Maps). The total garbage catch along with mud filled up almost nine tubs which made the job of sieving guys extra exhausting. Sieving jobs seemed worthless since no animal was found hence all tubs were dumped empty.
       
      The day rolled on with small catches taken from CP2915 at lat 14_05.035 and lat 120_02.784, and a close-to-nothing catch in DW_2917. The final operation, before we finally called it a day, had a small yet satisfying catch. It contained small numbers for each group which kept everyone busy for the night. The day went off at anchorage at position Lat 14_04.072 Long 120_16.501 at deep of 14 meters.
       
    April 01, 2008 Tuesday Trawled around the areas of outer manila bay, off Neast of Luband Island and along northwest side of Verde Island Passage. For a day a total of ten operations (CP2919 ? CC2928) were accomplished comprising of six beam trawl drags and four otter trawls. The last four operations were of otter trawls.
       
      Catches at each drag were relatively high due to shallower stations sampled. The tedious deck works ended at 2110H after hauling in the last otter trawl drag.
     
    April 02, 2008 Wednesday Departure for Sangley Point Cavite to load the Skiff Boat. Arrival - Manila
     
    Appendix 2
    DY08 / LUMIWAN 2008 Drag Details