PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release, 25 January 2012

Seaweek 2012 Asks - Do We Love Our Ocean Too Much?

Seaweeek, 3-11 March - “One Ocean - Too Much Love? Turning the Tide” - will explore the many uses of the seas around New Zealand, and the challenges of working sustainably with New Zealand's vast oceanic resource - the 5th largest in the world.

Seaweek 2012 National Coordinator Dr Mels Barton says:
“As an island nation we rely on the sea for food, trade, transport, sport and recreation, tourism, and many intangible benefits. Our tourism economy depends on the perception of New Zealand's environment as clean and unspoilt. Many of our special places are beside the sea. Yet the quality of our marine environment is under serious threat - and we may lose what we most treasure if we don’t change our behaviour.

"Worldwide, oceans are affected by pollution, oil spills, resource depletion, over-fishing, climate change and many other threats. in New Zealand, our seas are home to amazing marine wildlife that tourists come thousands of miles to see, and the sparkling blue waters are our playground - but for how long?

“Seaweek is all about learning from each other and sharing experiences about and around the sea. This year’s theme will encourage us to explore our many uses of the sea, the conflicts between them, how what we do on the land affects the sea, and ways to improve the quality of our marine environment. No one agency or organization in New Zealand manages the sea. It is something we all contribute to and must take responsibility for.”

Seaweek takes place from March 3-11 2012, but hooks in events and competitions happening throughout January, February and March across the whole country. Mels encourages everyone get involved:

“If you, your organization, school, class, group, company, family or community would like to hold an event, run a competition or host any other kind of activity during Seaweek we will publicise it for you. Contact me on mels@subliminal.co.nz or 021 213 7779 with your ideas or download the event template from our website at www.seaweek.org.nz where you can also find heaps of useful resources to use. You can also follow Seaweek on Facebook and Twitter and view videos from Seaweek 2011 on our YouTube channel.”

Seaweek www.seaweek.org.nz is an annual, national celebration of the sea coordinated by the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education www.nzaee.org.nz. It provides special opportunities to experience the beauty and mysteries of, and learn more about, the diversity and significance of our marine environment. Seaweek is the only nationwide event dedicated to learning from the sea and developing a better understanding of what sustainability might mean in the marine world. Seaweek is the NZAEE’s flagship event and has been run annually for 20 years.

Seaweek’s patron is Greenpeace NZ Executive Director Bunny McDiarmid.
Seaweek 2012 is sponsored by the ASB Community Trust, Department of Conservation, Ministry of Fisheries, New Zealand Marine Studies Centre, Auckland Council and DSP Print Group.

Links:
Facebook: Sea Week and Seaweek 2012
Twitter: @Seaweek2012
YouTube: NZAEESeaweek
Web: www.seaweek.org.nz

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