FIJI Institute of Technology students in the north organised a film night in a bid to inform the Labasa community on the importance of protecting their marine resources.
Organised by Sunil Prasad, the film night was held on Saturday at the Grand Eastern Hotel. It revealed overfishing and illegal fishing activities happening in the province's qoliqoli.
"The marine is a major source of income for the people in Macuata so it's important we highlight the significant role it plays and how we should protect it," Mr Prasad said.
"There have been reports of illegal fishing activities, overfishing or people destroying the environment by turning the qoliqoli into rubbish dumps so we thought that this awareness program through a film night will help put some thoughts into minds of the public here tonight."
He said the Marine Protected Area exercise by the Tui Macuata Ratu Aisea Katonivere had benefitted the people by increasing the fish population.
"With that in line, we also need to tell the people that we still have a role to play and that is protect our marine life by not turning it into a rubbish dump or stop over fishing and illegal activities.