2 March 2009

Celebrate Seaweek in Kapiti

Kapiti residents are invited to protect and enjoy their marine environment during Seaweek which runs from 1 to 9 March.

A beach clean up and guided tours of the Kapiti Marine Reserve are among activities on offer to the public in Kapiti to celebrate Seaweek, which this year highlights how our behaviour on land affects the health of our marine habitats and species. There are things we can all do to make a difference for marine protection.

New Zealand currently has 31 marine reserves which protect a range of environments, and Kapiti residents are fortunate to have one right on their doorstep. The public have a rare opportunity to experience the reserve up close and personal without getting wet. The Department of Conservation and Kapiti Tours are running guided boat tours on Saturday and Sunday, 7 and 8 March. An underwater camera and on board screen will allow people of all ages to view the marine environment. People may see curious blue cod, butterfish, soldier fish, and seahorses as well as sooty shearwaters, swimming little blue penguins, passing gannets and seals along the northern side of Kapiti Island. Marine scientists and guides will speak about marine reserves and show the public a variety of preserved marine birds and other specimens. The cost of the guided tours is $55 for adults and $30 for children (5-17 years). To book contact DOC’s community relations programme manager Lisa Clapcott on 04-296-1161.

The public also have the chance to help clear their local coastline of the rubbish which threatens our marine life, highlighted by the recent discovery of a dead penguin on Mana Island with a plastic offcut around its neck. Paraparaumu college students will be running a beach clean up from10am to 12 noon on Saturday 7 March at Maclean Park and are keen for the public to help on the day. They will be meeting at Maclean Park ponds, across from the Paraparaumu Beach shops at 10.am. Gloves and bags will be provided.

Meanwhile several Kapiti schools have again demonstrated their creative talent in entries for DOC’s primary and secondary school multimedia competitions, highlighting the Seaweek theme One ocean - it starts with me.
‘The quality and originality of the projects has been inspiring,” says Lisa Clapcott.
The entries will be displayed in the Paraparaumu and Otaki libraries over the next two weeks. Winners will receive a DOC guided day trip to Kapiti Island and the marine reserve, taking an improved awareness back to their schools.

ENDS

Find out more about Seaweek and events in the Kapiti and other parts of the country on the DOC website: http://www.doc.govt.nz/features-archive/seaweek-2009/

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