If no changes are made to how oceans are currently being fished, there will be no commercial fishing by 2048, two renowned ocean experts said yesterday on the first day of the 2008 Hawaii Conservation Conference.

"Our ocean life is rapidly deteriorating," said Dr. Sylvia Earle, also referred as "Her Deepness" because of the body of work she's compiled as an oceanographer and explorer. Earle has logged more than 6,000 hours of undersea research and led more than 60 expeditions.

Earle, however, said she remains hopeful about the ability to ensure healthy oceans and lifestyles.

"Ten years ago my outlook would have been much more bleak about our future. But for the first time scientists, politicians, conservationists — everyone is working together and communicating," Earle said. "You can now find out what someone is doing on the other side of the world through conferences like this and just learn more through Google Earth and other online sites. People are more aware today of the problems at hand.."

Nearly 1,000 conservationists are gathering through Friday at the Hawaii Convention Center at the conference, which features workshops, field trips, exhibits and lectures.

"I came here more to see what others are doing and try to find new ideas," said Todd Russell, a wildlife biologist. "Scientists work in bubbles so even though this is a small island, you don't get a chance to see and hear what others are doing unless you get a conference like this. It's a good way to share ideas."

Russell moved to O'ahu from South Dakota in February to work with invasive species. He spent extra time today looking at an exhibit by marine biologists on the Big Island. "It's about methodology and new techniques," Russell said.

Valorie Owen of Kaua'i and her daughter, 14-year-old Mikaeala, were guests of the Hawaiian Conservation Alliance, which brought together 25 middle school students whose stories and poems about Hawai'i's environments were made into a book.

More than 400 middle schoolers competed in the My Hawai'i Story Project 2008. The winners, including Mikaeala, gathered today and performed a song about conservation that they wrote together on Monday night.

"We need to get more young kids involved in conserving the ocean and land," Valorie Owen said. "They use the ocean and will be protecting it in the future. I had no idea no idea this conference would be so big."

The Hawaiian Conservation Alliance is a cooperative partnership of 16 agencies, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations that promotes effective longterm management of Hawai'i's native ecosystems through research, training and outreach programs.

To learn more, go to hawaiiconservation.org.