SHARK conservationist Manoa Rasigatale is encouraging young people to get involved in the cause and be champions of shark conservation in Fiji.
Mr Rasigatale made this comment when he was awarding the three winners of the Protect Fiji Shark's art competition at The Fiji Times Limited boardroom yesterday.
"I was deeply encouraged to see such tremendous response from children from as young as five years old entering the competition," he said.
"Young people have a big role to play in this cause and I encourage them to keep up their interest and passion for sharks and their conservation."
Suva Primary School Class Four students, brothers Zarif and Zaafir Khan were ecstatic after they received their prizes for the art competition.
Their mother, Nazia Sheik said Zarif, the older of the two was always passionate about sharks.
"It started when he first saw a shark documentary when he was just seven years old," she said.
"Ever since then he's been addicted to shark documentaries, books and movies.
"He even tells me things that I didn't even know about sharks.
"This was a great competition because it allowed my children, especially Zarif, to express himself about something he is so passionate about."
Nasinu Sangam School Class Seven student Sandeep Nand also walked away with a prize for his artwork.