Kapiti - thinking globally, acting locally!
Date: 26 February 2008
Kapiti's businesses, schools and residents are geared up to connect and protect their local beaches during Seaweek, March 2 - 9.
Business sponsor Eddie Winkel, from Professionals Real Estate, says Seaweek is a "fantastic" opportunity to raise awareness and appreciation of our marine and coastal environment, encourage people to connect with our beaches, and make a positive difference locally.
"Each year hundreds of people turn out for the community beach clean-up. Many individuals now realise that what we do here on land has an impact on the health of our oceans and there are small steps we can take to protect our oceans for the future."
Last year household furniture, plastic bottles, and discarded fishing nets were removed out of harms way. Anyone participating in the beach clean-up is in to win free trips to Kapiti Island.
The annual Community Beach Clean-up on Sunday 9 March runs from 9am to 11am and includes a free sausage sizzle followed by beach games and marine quizzes, music and a Big Dig at Maclean Park, Paraparaumu. Bags and gloves are provided at these sites: Otaki: Otaki Surf club; Te Horo Beach: end of Te Horo Road; Waikanae Beach: Waikanae Boating Club; Waikanae Estuary: Manly St. opposite Hadfield Place; Paraparaumu Beach: Maclean Park; Raumati Beach: Esplanade Rd; Queen Elizabeth Park Raumati, Paekakariki: Memorial Hall on The Parade.
New Zealand currently has 31 marine reserves which protect a range of environments.
"Kapiti residents are fortunate to have Kapiti Marine Reserve right on their doorstep," says Department of Conservation community relations programme manager Stacy Moore.
On Sunday 9 March the public will have a rare opportunity to experience guided boat tours of the Kapiti Marine Reserve. A new 32" widescreen and underwater camera plus an ocean going Remote Operating Vehicle will allow people of all ages to view marine life that humans seldom get to witness.
"It's an eye-opening experience because you get to observe what is living under the waves without getting wet," says Mrs Moore.
Tour participants may see curious blue cod, butterfish, soldier fish, and seahorses as well as sooty shearwaters, swimming little blue penguins, passing gannets and seals along the northern side of Kapiti Island. Marine biologists on Kapiti Tours and Kapiti Marine Charter boats will speak about marine reserves and show the public a variety of preserved marine birds and other specimens. Cost for the guided tours is $45 adults, $20 children. Contact Stacy Moore for bookings: +64 4 296 1161.
Students are currently busily preparing their artwork or Seaweek projects for the schools multimedia competition. Projects will be displayed in the Paraparaumu library during the week and winners will receive trips to Kapiti Island and the Marine Reserve.
"Each year local residents look forward to opportunities to get involved in making a positive difference to our beautiful marine environment," says Mrs Moore. ENDS