Seaweek splashes off with events around the country

By PHILIP ENGLISH

Seaweek, a national programme of events to increase awareness of the value of New Zealand's coastal and marine environment, begins on Saturday and runs until March 18.

The first Seaweek was held in Australia in 1987 as an art competition. The first Seaweek in New Zealand was held in 1992.

This year's Seaweek is organised by the Marine Education Society of Aotearoa, which is part of the Association for Environmental Education. Events include:

Northland


* Project Jonah is presenting a marine mammal medic course at Opua, Bay of Islands, on Saturday for people wanting to learn how to rescue stranded whales. Time 9 am to 3.30 pm.

Venue: Opua Cruising Club.

Cost: $45 a person (includes training manual, certificate, badge and a donation to Project Jonah).

Contact: Jo Halliday for registration on (09) 402-7538 or 025 204-7244.

* The Department of Conservation is organising two public talks by Clinton Duffy on New Zealand shark biodiversity.

The first will be in the Mangonui Primary School at 6.15 pm on Tuesday, and the second at the Tikipunga High School auditorium, Whangarei, at 7 pm next Thursday.

Auckland


Whale researchers Dirk Neumann and Mike Donoghue will talk about their work in the Apec Room of the Auckland Museum on Wednesday at 7.30 pm (entry through the east door).

Tickets cost $10 an adult, $20 for a family of four and $8 for students.

Proceeds go to the organising group, the Whale and Dolphin Adoption Project, which finances research projects on whales and dolphins.

Bookings on 528-3999.

Waikato


Help Environment Waikato staff to clean the banks of the Waikato River on Saturday from 10 am to noon. Environment Waikato will provide information on habitat restoration and biodiversity enhancement.

The work will end with a barbecue and volunteers will receive free T-shirts.

Meet at the Environment Waikato car park at 3 Cook St, Hamilton East. Register on 0800 800 401.

If wet, the event will be held on Saturday week.

Rotorua


Department of Conservation staff are organising guided shoreline tours around Rotorua lakes on Sunday week, focusing on the biology of native dabchicks and other waterbirds - and the threats they face. For details telephone (07) 349-8228.

Tauranga


The Tauranga branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society wants people to explore the Matua saltmarsh and try out the new walkway on Saturday at 1 pm. Old shoes or gumboots will be useful.

Meet at the Matua Wetland car park on Sylvania Drive, off Levers Rd.

For details telephone (07) 576-5593.

More information on the Seaweek events

Herald Online Marine News