The students’ enthusiasm was “awesome,” according to DEQ marine biologist Peter Houk, who made similar presentations at other schools.
At SIS, he talked about the seismic plate where the CNMI is located and explained to the students the status of the islands’ marine environment and how its deterioration can affect the commonwealth’s population.
The students also learned about the northern islands of Maug, Asuncion and Uracas and the different types of reefs where the common marine habitats of the CNMI are found.
Houk discussed the natural disturbances affecting the CNMI’s reefs — typhoons and large storms, the outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfish, coral diseases and global climate change.
The anthropogenic or man-made disturbances include overfishing, pollution and land clearing.
Houk asked the students to imagine marine environment scenarios and how to address them. The students, he said made smart decisions.
Houk believes that people from all walks of life can be environmentally conscious.
He will conduct another presentation at Garapan Elementary school on Tuesday.
