Primary Enviroschools Hui, Aramoana

This year’s Primary Enviroschools Hui in Dunedin saw over 80 people, from 14 schools checking out what lives in the sandy/muddy marine environment, planting native trees and getting a great look at a magnificent Hookers Sea Lion at Aramoana.

 

Despite the horrific forecast the sun shone.  The jackets and hats were still needed for the chilly southerly wind, though the shelter of the Aramoana Arboretum and tree planting work had us all shedding layers.  The Aboretum protects the unique saltmarsh from the road to town.  The Aramoana Conservation Charitable Trust is regenerating the natives that are tough enough to handle the salt air and soil in this area.  Students learnt how and why to plant trees, so important to life on earth.

Looking for evidence of life!

 

The New Zealand Marine Studies Centre is soon to launch the sandy/muddy shore guide, along with the Marine Meter Squared (MM2) activity that allows us to monitor change over time in our local marine environment.  The MM2 requires the identification and counting of the animals and plants that live in this environment.  It is recorded on the MM2 website enabling us to see seasonal, climatic or human induced change over time.  With it we can truly be kaitiaki of our marine environment.

 

Male 7-8 years old Hooker Sea Lion on Aramoana Split

In Otago we are so fortunate to share our beaches with the endangered Hooker Sea Lion.  Coastal Otago is the other breeding ground of this magnificence animal.  Most of the breeding occurs in the Auckland Islands between here and Antarctica.  These beautiful animals are under threat from people’s dogs and a lack of harem structure they have during breeding and pup raising on the Auckland Islands.  The Auckland Island population are in decline due to net fishing for squid.  If you eat squid ensure that it has been caught with a jig or hook and not a net.  This will encourage more sustainable and sea lion friendly squid fishing techniques - a brighter future for the Hookers Sea Lion.  As consumers we have the power to make positive change!

 

It was an action packed day and I’m sure everyone had tired bodies and increased brain cells.  Look out for the 2014 Otago Enviroschools Primary Hui.  We’d love to have you along!