On behalf of the IOLN Secretariat and Steering Group we would like to say thank you to all the people whose passion for the ocean shone through this World Ocean Day, as we shared virtual events and activities from around Ireland and the World. Thanks for making this #WOD very special, we are oceanspired. #WeAreIslanders #WorldOceanDay
We had the pleasure of taking part in the Coastwatch launch of their new nature and climate change seashore survey with Karin Dubsky and MEP Grace O’ Sullivan to name but a few on Sunday evening. We joined in talks on Explore your Shore, run by Dave Wall from the National Biodiversity Data Centre, and shared content with students all over Ireland on the RTEjr Learning Hub. Deric Ó h’Artagáin from Virgin Media wished everyone a Happy ‘World Ocean Day’ while he shared the weather forecast on the virgin media news.
The Marine Institute launched their #seatome competition and shared their Oceans of Learning Campaign, as well as running a twitter marathon with researchers and staff on the day. Cleancoast launched the first in a series of lunchtime talks entitled ‘Ocean Love’ showcasing people’s different connections with the sea, and had a special viewing of Ken O’ Sullivan’s Deep Atlantic Documentary. Galway Atlantaquaria launched their Rock pool reflections and encouraged families all over the country to join in their ‘Become a Marine Broadcaster’ Event from Cruinniú na nÓg festival 2020.
We took part in the first virtual Ocean Literacy Summit, and were delighted to see the launch of the EU4Ocean platform. We followed the All-Atlantic Youth Ambassadors as their got creative on twitter with stories, the colour blue and ocean quizzes throughout the day. And finally we saw Seasearch IRE kick off their programme of talks for 2020 with a discussion citizen science in Irish waters.
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