Terry Gosliner is still exploring the rich coastlines of the Philippines after 23 years of professional peaks and valleys in the region. From marveling at the resiliency of dynamited reefs rebounding in Marine Protected Areas to grappling with devastating after-effects of typhoons, Gosliner has packed several lifetimes’ worth of scientifically significant moments into little more than two decades. With an eye on preserving these priceless—and threatened—marine ecosystems for future generations, he says Academy researchers and Filipino partners are just getting started.
“The results are in—these are the most biologically diverse waters in the world,” says Gosliner of the Philippines’ Verde Island Passage—the focus of multiple Academy expeditions. “We also know that protecting these coral reefs is absolutely critical to human survival. We’re continuously learning how to better support Filipino efforts to fortify their coastal ecosystems, feed their families, and train the next generation of environmental stewards.”