A BS in Fisheries (BSF) student from the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas participated in the Regional Workshop of the Youth Ambassadors Program for Sustainable Fisheries Management on September 11 – 13, 2024, Bangkok, Thailand.
Fourth year BSF student, Thony Steven R. Buriel, attended the three-day regional workshop organized by the United States Agency International Development Sustainable Fish Asia Technical Support (USAID SuFiA TS) in collaboration with Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF).
The regional workshop was participated by youth and youth professionals from CTI-CFF six member countries working together to sustain extraordinary marine and coastal resources by addressing crucial issues such as food security, climate change, and marine biodiversity, namely the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands as well as from Thailand and Vietnam.
The program sought to provide capacity building in coastal marine ecosystems, climate change, unsustainable fisheries, illegal, unreported or unregulated (IUU) fishing, coastal livelihoods, and fair labor.
It also served as an avenue for participants to establish regional networks, share stories and experiences, and discuss plans and strategies in confronting various issues related to marine fisheries management.
Representing the youth from the Philippines, Buriel said that the experience provided him innovative ideas and collaborative solutions towards sustainable fisheries management.
“The mentorship and series of lectures greatly influenced my perspective on fisheries management. I felt empowered and equipped to advocate for and manage marine biodiversity and fisheries with gender equality and social inclusion and leadership skills hoping to create positive contributions to the communities,” Buriel stated. “Meeting people from various backgrounds who shared the same goal of sustainable fisheries inspired me to pursue my passion for sustainability.”
Buriel also participated in the CTI-CFF Youth Ambassadors Program Online Capacity Building Series via Zoom Meeting on August 23, 27, and 30, 2024. (With sources from Thony Steven R. Buriel)
