Did you know?

1. There are 328,000,000 cubic miles of seawater on earth, covering approximately 71 percent of earth’s surface.
2. Earth’s ocean is made up of more than 20 seas and four oceans: Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Pacific.
3. The oceans provide 99 percent of the Earth’s living space – the largest in our universe known to be inhabited by living organisms
4. More than 90 percent of this habitat exists in the deep sea known as the abyss
5. A swallow of sea water may contain millions of bacterial cells, hundreds of thousands of phytoplankton and tens of thousands of zooplankton

In New Zealand we are surrounded by the sea.  There are only 36 other island countries like us.  On the Kapiti Coast we have the luxury of having the sea side right on our doorstep (or a reasonably short drive to it anyway) and so we should take the opportunity to learn all that we can and teach our children the importance of doing their bit to protect the ocean and it’s inhabitants.

This week 7th – 14th March is Sea Week.  Sea Week is an annual event run by the NZ Association for Environmental Education that allows New Zealanders to come together and, celebrate the sea.

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.

The theme for Seaweek 2010 is – Fish for the Future!  To celebrate Sea Week the Otaki and Waikanae Libraries will have craft tables for children to make ocean creatures.

So as you walk along the beach or play in the sea this week, take a moment to talk with your children to celebrate this amazing part of our planet.