World Oceans Day event at the StFX Biology dept.

The StFX Biology Dept. was delighted to welcome more than 400 people to the World Oceans Day event held on June 11.

This year’s World Oceans Day theme was ‘Our Oceans, Our Future’ with an action focus of

“Encouraging solutions to plastic pollution and preventing marine litter for a healthier ocean and a better future”

Events were organized all over the world, with a high concentration in the Atlantic regions.

So let’s talk about the event…

First I would like to thank ALL the amazing volunteers who made it happen!

A HUGE THANK YOU to Leah Rogers for helping organize the event and the numerous displays.

Leah Rogers, Senior Lab Instructor in Biology

Lab instructor Katelyn MacNeil for looking after all the live organisms and organizing the seaweed collection.

Katelyn MacNeil collecting Chondrus crispus, commonly called Irish moss (Tor Bay, NS, photo by Maryann Burbidge)

Katelyn MacNeil sharing her knowledge on sea urchins

Meredith Karcz and lab instructor Maryann Burbidge for also helping with the seaweed collection.

Meredith Karcz collecting seaweed in Tor Bay, NS (photo by Maryann Burbidge)

(photo by Maryann Burbidge)

Maryann Burbidge talking about the importance of corals (photo by Leah Rogers)

Katelyn MacNeil and Meredith Karcz

Guest participants included Northern NS Coastal Stewardship Biologist with Bird Studies Canada, Rielle Hoeg, who talked about the importance of the Piping Plover Conservation Program.

StFX Co-op student Sam Gan from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO, Gulf of NS) shared information about the DFO and its role in the Atlantic provinces.

Nicole Haverkort from the Eastern Region Solid Waste Management representing the Antigonish and Guysborough Counties talked about litter prevention.

Alyssa Armstrong, student intern with the Canadian Coast Guard College spoke about the role of the Sydney Coast Guard in keeping the waterways safe.