Students at the Lucy Maud Montgomery Consolidated School will be learning more about the importance of the waters that surround Prince Edward Island during the World Ocean Day celebration this week. June 8 was designated as World Ocean Day at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to raise awareness of the importance of oceans.
Starting this year, Oceans Day (June 8) and Canadian Rivers Day (second Sunday in June) will be celebrated together in one of Canada’s newest celebratory “weeks” — Rivers to Oceans Week — from June 8 to 14. This special week focuses on creating an understanding of Canada’s watersheds, our connection to fresh and saltwater environments, and what we can do to protect them.
On Friday, June 8, students at the Lucy Maud school will take part in a beach seine to collect marine specimens and learn more about what species are in Island waters. There will also be a “Dress in Blue” day for students and staff, contests, displays, seafood samples and prizes and giveaways. The activities are organized by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
This is the third year that events have been organized in Island schools to celebrate World Ocean Day. Last year, activities took place at Rollo Bay Consolidated School.
“Our hope is that a World Ocean Day event may become an annual activity at as many Island schools as possible over the next few years. World Oceans Day is about celebrating the ocean and planning for a healthy ocean into the future,” said Kelly Cantelo, organizer of the event for Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture. “This will be a great way for students to learn more about what the oceans mean to them and why they should care for them.”