In recognition of European Maritime Day and World Oceans Day, the Marine Institute and partners are celebrating our seas, our world’s shared ocean and our connection to the sea through their Oceans of Learning series. Over 10 weeks, the Marine Institute and partners are coming together virtually to share news and offer online activities and resources on a range of marine topics to make it easier for those of all ages to engage with our ocean from home.
Minster for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed said that while we regret that this year’s European Maritime day events in Cork had to be cancelled, public health concerns must take priority at this time.
“Following a period during which the marine sector had been enjoying a period of increased growth, the main challenge facing the sector for the foreseeable future will be recovery from the economic impacts of the current public health crisis. This will require all relevant stakeholders to work together to ensure that the momentum for sustainable growth is maintained over timem” said the Minister.
The Oceans of Learning 2020 Campaign - One Shared Ocean - One Shared Future will showcase some of the positive developments across the marine sector in recent years which we will need to build on as we face these new and unexpected challenges.
Dr Paul Connolly CEO of the Marine Institute said they want to take this opportunity to come together to celebrate our seas and look at the enormous opportunities presented by our coast and ocean.
“Through our Oceans of Learning series, the Marine Institute with our partners, will offer a host of resources on our shared ocean and the major role it plays in our everyday lives. Our ocean has sustained us in good times and in bad. Now more than ever we must come together and empower Ireland and its people to safeguard and harness our ocean wealth,” he said.
Ireland’s marine resource is ten times the size of its land territory, supports diverse ecosystems, is a source of food, and influences our climate, weather and our wellbeing. Our ocean has an important role in Ireland’s economy, providing employment in a number of areas of the marine sector – fisheries, aquaculture, ports and shipping, technology, tourism and seafaring.
Each week through the Oceans of Learning series, they will share a new marine topic - from the food we take from our ocean, and our rich marine biodiversity, to our changing ocean climate, and ports and shipping. The Marine Institute will work with Government Departments and partners such as Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Bord Bia, National Maritime College Ireland, The Commissioners of Irish Lights, Met Éireann, Marine and Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI ) and coastal communities and organisations across Ireland to enable everyone to engage with our ocean from anywhere.
Sea To Me CompetitionOn World Oceans Day, Monday 8th June, the Marine Institute is celebrating our connection to the sea, and its importance to our lives with the launch of the social media competition ‘Sea to Me’, offering fantastic, ocean inspired weekly prizes.
From sailors, surfers, scientists and seafarers, to those who prefer to wade in the shallows or watch the wildlife, our sea means so many different things to different people. The Marine Institute and partners are celebrating the many different relationships that you, our community, have with the sea.
Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute said that with 1.9 million people in Ireland living close to the coast, the sea has an impact on all of our lives every day.
“Many people also rely on the sea for their livelihood, from fishing, tourism and transport to our seafood industry. To celebrate our connection to the sea, we are asking you to share what the sea means to you.
“Together, we can celebrate our seas and oceans and Ireland’s valuable marine resource.”To enter the ‘Sea to Me’ competition, simply share ‘what the sea means to you’ on social media using the hashtag #SeaToMe.
Draw a picture, take a photo, upload a video, share a photo from a past holiday by the sea or favourite place along Ireland’s coast, or be inspired to write a poem or quote. It may be a walk along the shore, a swim in the ocean or enjoying fish and chips by the sea. Every week, the Marine Institute and partners will be offering some great prizes inspired by our seas.
Follow #SeaToMe and #OceansofLearning on the Marine Institute Facebook page @marineinstituteireland, Twitter @MarineInst and Instagram @marineinstiuteireland
For more information on Oceans of Learning and the ‘Sea to Me’ competition, visit www.marine.ie
