(BFAR-8 photo)
TACLOBAN CITY — Eighty senior high school students from Samar and Biliran are being encouraged to become advocates for responsible fishing and marine conservation after taking part in fisheries and environmental education sessions conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 8.
The students came from San Isidro National High School in Zumarraga, Samar, and Naval School of Fisheries in Naval, Biliran.
The sessions covered fisheries management, the status of fisheries in Fisheries Management Area 7, illegal fishing practices, coastal and marine habitats, harmful algal blooms, the BFAR Fisheries Scholarship Program and the West Philippine Sea.
BFAR-8 said the activity was designed to give young people a better understanding of fisheries and environmental issues affecting their communities and encourage them to promote responsible fishing and conservation.
The students were also encouraged to share what they learned with their families and communities, particularly on proper fishing practices and the protection of aquatic resources.
Recel Ann Sacedor of Naval School of Fisheries said the sessions could help young people, particularly those from fishing families, better understand proper fishing practices and encourage them to speak up against activities that harm fisheries resources.
Kyra Nicole Puyat of San Isidro National High School emphasized the responsibility of young people to be aware of illegal and harmful activities that could affect their communities.
Lyra Tejeresas, senior high department head of San Isidro National High School, said the program complemented classroom learning by linking lessons to actual fisheries and environmental concerns in the community.
The sessions were conducted by BFAR-8 through its Provincial Fisheries Offices in Samar and Biliran, Information, Education and Communication Unit, Enforcement and Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Operations Center, Regional Fisheries Laboratory and National Stock Assessment Program.
The activity was carried out in coordination with the local government units of Zumarraga and Naval and the participating schools.
The sessions form part of BFAR-8’s targeted information, education and communication activities under its Sustainable Fisheries Management with the Youth in Eastern Visayas program, which seeks to develop young people as partners in protecting fisheries resources and aquatic ecosystems.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
