“Our main focus is to make the young people aware of the importance of the marine environment, how useful the fish and corals are and how they [the youth] can help preserve [marine life],” she said.
Over 200 high school students — not just over 40 as earlier reported — participated in the symposium.
Students learned about the importance of traditional fishing and how it is done.
“We [taught] them different fishing techniques because these were the techniques used by our ancestors,” fishery council on-site coordinator Jack Ogumoro said.
There were also presentations made by fishermen from Hawaii and some marine biologists.
Ogumoro and Spalding said they are hoping that the students were able to appreciate the fishing industry and the islands’ marine resources.
“We also hope that after the symposium, these young people will be encouraged to seek marine environment-related career options locally,” Spalding said.
