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Posted on Friday February 26th 2010 at 10:20 a.m.
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Seaweek is about exciting and inspiring all New Zealanders to renew their connection with the sea. It's not just for children or those involved with formal education - it's a time for all of us to get to know our ocean, its habits, characteristics and inhabitants.
A series of themes has been developed for Seaweek over the next five years, starting with 2010 - Fish for the Future!
One of the many highlights of the week.... Beach clean-ups!
Dates: 8-19 March
Each year more than 7 billion tonnes of rubbish makes its way into the sea. On its journey it kills, maims and injures wildlife and pollutes the ecosystems that they depend on for food, shelter, and to raise their young. Thousands of animals die each year becoming trapped in or choke on the rubbish that we throw away.
Litter can travel to the ocean from many kilometres inland, blown on the wind or carried along by rivers and streams.
In response to this major issue, Environment Waikato is working with schools around the Waikato region to run beach clean-ups and help make our beaches not only safer for our marine species but also restore the natural character of these special places.
Beach clean-ups will be happening for two weeks, starting Monday 8 March. Beaches being cleaned include Buffalo and Whangapoua in the Coromandel, and Kawhia, Ruapuke, Raglan, and Kariotahi on the west coast.