[Photos of Youth event in Dandong]

[Videos of Youth event in Dandong]

In the second youth programme to be held under the Project, the Liaoning Fisheries Research Institute, Dandong Ocean & Fisheries Bureau, and Liaoning Province Ocean & Fisheries Bureau jointly organised a youth environmental awareness programme in Dandong, China for middle school students.

About 50 students (aged 12-16) from Dandong #6 Middle School and their two teachers participated in the activity to broaden their knowledge on importance of marine environment protection.

The event was co-sponsored by the private sector. Amway International and Amway Dandong Office sponsored the hands-on activities and visit to Dongang Nature Reserve in Yalu River estuary. Over 30 Amway staff participated in the event, as they also wished to improve their understanding on marine environmental problems and potential solutions.

The first day consisted of indoor lectures touching upon:
• Oceans in the context of the earth’s ecosystem
• Why the Yellow Sea should be protected?
• Example of international work in saving the Yellow Sea (YSLME Project)
• Spotted seal in the Yellow Sea and why the sea needs to be protected for biodiversity

After all lectures were given, students were allowed to ask questions to all speakers. The students’ questions showed their vast knowledge gained from the lectures and other sources. Students were able to ask quite profound questions which at times, were difficult for lecturers to answer. For example, one student asked how to predict red tides and whether red tides will become more frequent and worse around the Yellow Sea.

Students were also given a questionnaire to complete and submit to their teachers and event organisers. The questionnaire will illustrate how much the students learned from this event and indicate whether more activities are needed to improve the youth’s knowledge on marine environment protection.

Day 2 consisted of hands-on activities. Despite the pouring rain, all participants actively participated outdoors. The first event was the release of juvenile puffer fish stocks into the sea in the hope that the fish may mature in the wild and increase catch for fishermen. The second event was marine litter clean-up. Finally, the third event was a visit the Dongang National Nature Reserve located in Yalu River estuary. Here, participants were introduced to the nature reserve zones, management plans, and the various bird and plant species found in the estuary. Participants were also informed about the importance of the area as a stopover place for migratory birds of the Asian-Australia flyway.

Two reporters were present to report on the activity. China Central Television’s main station, CCTV-1, reported the event during one of the main news broadcasts - the 7PM news. China Ocean News also wrote an article about the event.