World Ocean Day 2022 at St Mary's School
Photos from Emil Pirzenthal
Tristan da Cunha is proud of its pristine seas and the recently declared Marine Protection Zone. It was natural therefore that World Ocean Day 2022 was celebrated on the island, while in London, the Chief Islander and other Tristanians and officials marked the day at a special 'Blue Belt' event. Marine biologist Jess Escobar Porras assisted by Janine Lavarello from the Conservation Dept joined teachers Maria Swain and Renee Green at St Mary's School to talk about conservation issues with the students, and to organise a some fun activities to help drive the point home.
Students on stage celebrating World Ocean Day 2022
Jess Escobar Porras asks the students a question
Posters and artwork created for the day
Posters showing whale species seen around Tristan
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| Above and below: Drawings and paintings for World Ocean Day | |
The children were asked to write their thoughts about the ocean on pieces of coloured paper shaped like sea creatures, which were then strung over a 'Happy World Ocean Day' banner.
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The Fishing Game
One of the day's fun activities was a game where the students fished for cardboard Five Finger - one of Tristan's favourite food fish, especially when served with chips.
Above: Explaining... and Below: Playing the fishing game
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A school of Five Finger pictured in Tristan waters
A Six Gill Shark pictured in Tristan's kelp forests
Eco Bricks
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Above: Sacks of plastic fizzy drink bottles stuffed with snack wrappers, to be used as ecobricks. Students had collected empty plastic soda bottles stuffed with used snack wrappers to make eco bricks. The bottles and wrappers are the sort of waste that can end up in the world's oceans, causing pollution and problems for marine life. Instead, these eco bricks, which have good insulating properties, can used to build something useful. Among the ideas the kids came up with were dog house or a bench. Right: An example of a bench made from eco bricks in Johannesburg, such as might be built on Tristan. |
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