Fourth year Fisheries students begin research proposals

-
Bernita Watt interviewing a Vurar Islander.
FOURTH-YEAR Fisheries students are presently collecting and compiling data that will be used to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PNG UNRE and the people of Vurar Island. 
This will be part of their research proposal that they will be assessed on. 
The island has hosted students in the past for marine and fisheries field practicals. 
Vuvar Island is a ten-minute boat ride from Tokunar Transit Lodge in Lungalunga, East New Britain. 
Its surrounding pristine marine environment is an incredible natural living laboratory that Fisheries and Marine Resources students are privileged to use.
Fisheries lecturer Job Opu said the MoU will allow the students to continue studying there and to enable the University to assist the islanders with any training needs it can assist with. 
Mr Opu said there are plans to submit the MoU to the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) so that Vurar Island is made a Marine Protected Area (MPA) to protect its rich marine biodiversity.
He said this is important because there have been cases of poaching of marine resources in the area by people from the mainland.
Nine students went to Vurar Island last Sunday (April 28) for the initial reconnaissance visit to develop sampling methodologies. They will conduct research on:
   • Coral Reefs;
   • Sea Grass;
   • Mangroves; and the
   • Socio-Ecological impacts of the use of marine resources.
Marzena Marinjembi, who did a preliminary assessment of marine species in mangroves, said the group checked coral growth, seagrass, starfish and species of fish at six different sites before going to the island.
Her peer, Bernita Watt, who is conducting the socio-ecological study, interviewed a number of people on Vurar to find out how they use the marine resources; what benefits they get from the marine resources; challenges they face; whether or not mangroves have declined or coral have died out.
Miss Watt is presently working on a survey questionnaire that will assist her with her research. Her survey will also find out the exact number of people living in the small island community.
There are several other interesting research proposals being developed by other fourth-year students. One is looking at Leatherback Turtle Nesting and another is working with tourist dive boat operators in Kokopo to find out the different species of dolphins around the vicinity of the newly built sewerage plant and to review its environmental plan.



Popular posts from this blog

PNG UNRE to offer five new undergraduate programs

-
Image
Professor Dan Orcherton. PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment through the School of Environment and Climate Change will begin offering five new undergraduate programs in 2021. The five programs are: Degree in Environment and Climate Change; and Advanced Diploma in Environmental Health under the Department of Climate Change, Health and Development; and Degree in Renewable Energy and Environmental Engineering; Advanced Diploma in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation; and Advanced Diploma in Environmental Engineering under the Department of Environmental Engineering. The School of Environment and Climate Change (SECC) will establish its other two departments – Department of GeoSciences and Geohazards and Department of Environmental Law - and their academic programs in the near future. For now though, SECC has been marketing its new programs to students in secondary schools in the province.  The first awareness session was conducted at Kerevat National High School on Wed
Read more

UNRE takes back UNRE Popondetta

-
Image
Oro Provincial Administration staff with UNRE officers. PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment will resume offering its Academic Programs at PNG UNRE Popondetta Campus in Oro Province next year (2021). This follows a decision by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST). Last week UNRE Chancellor Professor Kenneth Sumbuk and acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor Planning and Development Dr Francis Essacu, with senior staff from UNRE Popondetta Campus met with Oro Provincial Administrator Trevor Magei and executive members from the Office of Governor Garry Juffa to discuss the latest development of Popondetta Campus. In a recent interview, Dr Essacu said that a team of staff members from UNRE main Campus and Chancellor Professor Sumbuk visited the campus to see the facilities as well as to hold discussions with the Provincial Government and Popondetta campus staff on the DHERST decision.  He explained that DHERST had made a decision for UNRE to resu
Read more

UNRE launches Cocoa and Goat Integration Manual

-
Image
NARI Kerevat Research Leader Godfrey Hannet launches the new Goat training manual as Acting PVC Academic & Research Peter Navus (right) looks on.  PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment through its farmer training centre has launched the Cocoa and Goat Integration Training Manual and opened a Goat Breeding Centre. The event, which was held last month was attended by university staff; representatives from NARI, NAQIA and PNG Cocoa Board; James Butubu Area Manager ACIAR Bougainville; and acting Pro Vice Chancellor Academic and Research Mr Peter Navus. Speaking on behalf of the University, Mr Navus thanked the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) for having confidence in UNRE as one of its partners, the University Farmer Training Centre, Kairak Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (KCfSRD) for the implementation of the project objectives and the other collaborating partners. Mr Navus is confident that the Centre has achieved its objective
Read more