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By Rolynda Jonathan
A young Palauan man has successfully completed a regional observer training held in the Marshall Islands’ capital of Majuro.
Jerrel Temengil Johnsrud came out on top in a group of 25 during the recent 5-week intensive training course. Johnsrud along with participants from the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia went through a series of classroom and practical sessions throughout the training.
Johnsrud told Tia Belau, medicine Palau’s local newspaper that participants learned to identify different species of marine mammals, body parts, lengths and sizes.
He also explained that as part of the training, participants also learned to take notes of the fishing vessel’s activities including the types of methods used in catching fish.
The training program was put in place by the members of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) with aim to place an observer on board each fishing vessel licensed to fish in PNA waters.
The observer is tasked to report information back to the national governments and the Forum Fisheries Agency in ensuring that the vessels comply with conservation and management regulations.
