Teen charts future in fishing industry

At just 19, Marika Raloga from Makadru Village in Matuku, Lau, has taken a bold step towards securing his future.

Yesterday, Mr Raloga was one of 18 graduates of the Deckhand Fishing Mini Programme, hosted by the Pacific Centre for Marine Studies (PCMS) at its Nasese Campus in Suva.

The programme equips young Fijians with essential skills to enter the fishing and marine industries- sectors vital to the country's economy and food security.

For Mr Raloga, the journey to graduation was far from easy.

"I faced a lot of challenges during my education, but God's plan is always the best plan," he said.

Coming from a remote island, access to training and resources was limited. However, with the support of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), which covered transportation, food, and other expenses,

Mr Raloga and his peers were able to complete the programme.

"They provided for us. Without them, I wouldn't have made it here," he said.

The graduation ceremony marked a milestone not only for the students but also for broader efforts to develop skilled, sustainable marine workers.

With certificate in hand and hope in his heart, Mr Raloga now sets his sights on the open sea.

"That's where I want to be-working, learning more, and supporting my family," he said.

For Mr Raloga and the other graduates, the ceremony is not an end but the beginning of a journey shaped by determination, opportunity, and the promise of the deep blue horizon ahead.

Feedback: rariqi.turner@fijisun.com.fj