Student champions coral protection

An 11-year-old student used the Veivueti Ocean Conference to raise awareness about the growing threats facing coral reefs.

Harriet Nightingale, a Year 6 student at International School Suva (ISS) warns that future generations could lose the opportunity to experience them if urgent conservation action is not taken.

She said her project aimed to highlight the importance of protecting coral reef ecosystems and the challenges they currently face.

Harriet told conference participants on Wednesday that her exhibit featured a detailed coral reef diorama containing various marine animals and coral species, alongside educational posters designed to inform people about the threats facing reefs and actions that could help protect them.

"I also made some posters raising awareness about what is happening to coral reefs and how we can help," Harriet said.

She stressed that coral reefs were under increasing pressure and could disappear if conservation efforts were not strengthened.

"I want whoever comes to see what I created to realise that coral reefs are actually really endangered," she said.

As a message to students across Fiji, Harriet encouraged young people to take marine conservation seriously and recognise the consequences of inaction.

She warned that without collective efforts to protect marine ecosystems, coral reefs could become increasingly rare within the coming decades.

"Coral reefs might be gone soon and if we don't try to help, we won't be able to see them in about 20 years," she said.

Harriet described the two-day conference as an exciting learning experience that allowed students to share their research, explore environmental issues and gain a deeper understanding of ocean conservation.