Annual Seaweek Expo on show for South West educators

The Department of Fisheries annual Seaweek Educators’ Expo, one of the many events in a national celebration of the marine environment in March, will head for regional areas of WA for the first time.

Community Education Officer Michelle Dyer said expos would be held in Bunbury and Albany as well as Hillarys this year.

“The Seaweek Educators’ Expo has become very popular over recent years. The 2007 theme is ‘Marine Bycatch Matters’ and the programs at all three venues will include a range of activities covering various aspects of marine education,” Ms Dyer said.

“We will have information on how teachers can develop interesting marine studies for their classes and the regional expos interactive program will be designed to attract the interest of educators in the South West and the Great Southern.

“At Hillarys educators can submerse themselves in snorkelling, boating and fishing, get up close to marine creatures in a touch pool or get their hands dirty in a fish dissection, see science in action and be amongst the first to experience our new exhibition hall at the Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre.”

Ms Dyer said primary and secondary teachers and environmental educators would have a valuable learning and professional development opportunity through the variety and inspiration in this year’s expo programs.

“The knowledge teachers and other educators take back to their classrooms from our expos will be valuable for future generations to understand the need to manage marine resources in a sustainable way to preserve and protect our environment,” she said.

“We will also show educators innovative technologies to reduce bycatch and highlight what research and new technologies are being incorporated into both professional and recreational fishing practices.”

The Seaweek Educators' Expos will be held at:
Hillarys Boat Harbour – Friday 2 March 2007 – Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre.
Albany – Tuesday 6 March 2007 – Camp Quaranup.
Bunbury – Friday 9 March 2007 – Koombana Bay Sailing Club.

More details about the Seaweek Educators’ Expo are available on the Department of Fisheries website at www.fish.wa.gov.au. Click on the expo icon on the home page.

Source: Recfishwest