Nuku’alofa – October 14, 2019: 3.45pm (Enviro News): Students from the Sea Education Association of America visited mangrove nurseries around Tongatapu and planted trees at the Alonga Centre today.
The group of students, who arrived on Saturday on board the SSV Robert C Seamans vessel, took in the day learning about the work the Department of Environment here in Tonga does.
They were hosted by the Acting Director Ms Mafile’o Ongosia Masi.
Presentations were done on the different programs being implemented by the department in managing Tonga’s environment.
Then they went for a field visit to the Popua Mangrove Nursery and the Kolovai Mangrove Nursery in Hihifo.
They later planted trees at the Alonga Centre in Pea.
The SSV Robert C. Seamans is one of two tall ship research vessels operated by Sea Education Association, an internationally recognized leader in ocean education.
Throughout the year, the ship hosts semester and summer voyages throughout the Pacific Ocean, including ports of call in Polynesia, Fiji, American Samoa, and New Zealand.
This current trip has taken the students through American Samoa, Vava’u, Ha’apai and Tongatapu.
They leave tomorrow for Fiji.
