Beach clean-ups, open days, and talks among Wellington Seaweek events

Date:  02 March 2010

Beach and underwater clean-ups, open days, talks and a photo competition are among activities on offer in Wellington during Seaweek (March 7-14), which this year challenges people to think about their contribution to sustainable fishing.

The theme Fish for the future (tiakina nga tupuranga whakaheke) has been chosen to raise awareness of the role of fish in healthy oceans and is already attracting debate, says regional Seaweek co-ordinator Matt Barnett, from the Department of Conservation.

Blue cod, Wellington's south coast

“It has drawn out a range of views about what sustainable fishing means and wider issues about marine conservation, which is what we hoped would happen.”

Seaweek’s host organisation, the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE), has opted for a more challenging series of themes over the next five years to facilitate greater learning about the marine environment.

“The idea of the week isn’t to preach about what’s right or wrong, but to provide a forum for discussion by offering information and opportunities at local and national levels,” says Mr Barnett.

“Wellington’s Taputeranga Marine Reserve has helped to raise awareness about marine conservation and this year there are several activities around the marine reserve area.”

Wellington events include:

• NZ Film premiere: The End of the Line, about sustainable fishing
• Island Bay marine Education Centre open days
• Beach and underwater clean ups at Island Bay, Taputeranga Island and Palliser Bay
• Ministry of Fisheries talks at Te Papa and Victoria University Coastal Ecology Lab
• Victoria University Coastal Ecology Lab open day
• Dunes and the Sea talk with Island Bay Coast Care Group
• Forest and Bird’s Blue Wellington photo competition
• Forest and Bird’s Blue Wellington hosting a series of marine scientist talks

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