Sea Week

Seaweek is an annual marine education, action and awareness event coordinated by the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE).  This year in Marlborough, the Waikawa Dive Centre, sponsored by Port Marlborough hosted a number of Sea Week events on and in the water of the Marlborough Sounds for kids and adults alike.

As an avid Boatie, you will probably already understand that New Zealand’s seascape is particularly rich and complex due to its range and scope (sub-tropic to sub-antarctic) and its geographic position across active plates, major water masses and current systems. Our marine area is over 15 times larger than our land area and our exclusive economic zone is the fourth largest in the world.  This amazing environment is home to more than 15,000 known species, many of which are not found anywhere else in the world. 

Seaweek across New Zealand, facilitates learning from and celebrating the spectacular sea that surrounds us, and aims to strengthen our sense of connection with and responsibility towards the marine environment. As part of the Port Marlborough Sounds Discovery Fund, Port Marlborough sponsored the Seaweek events in partnership with the Waikawa Dive Centre to get keen kids (and their parents!) out into the Sounds to learn about our unique underwater environment.

The theme for this year’s Seaweek – Kaupapa Moana was: “Tiakina o Tātou Mōana – Care for our Seas” highlighting the impact of plastic, litter and other pollutants on our coasts and seas.

Earth Day

In addition to Seaweek which has now finished for this year, we are now supporting the Dive Center in their efforts for Earth Day, when they will have 18 divers and helpers and three boats “mucking in” to go down the Grove Arm and dive the popular bays and moorings.

If you’re keen to join in on the dive, please message them through the dive shop – meet at the shop this Monday 22nd  at 9.00 am sharp, from there into the boats located in Waikawa Marina. Return around 1.00 ish, off load the rubbish into a trailer, and then Stu will cook up a storm on the BBQ. This being all offered at no cost to the helpers. That’s free dive gear if required (certified divers only), air is free, and the BBQ after is sponsored by us here at Marlborough Sounds Marinas. Contact Stu or Katie at the Waikawa Dive Shop to register: waikawadive@xtra.co.nz