Young minds take in World Ocean Day Event at Narooma

“Why is the ocean warming?’” “Do sea urchins have teeth?”

These are some of the questions posed by Narooma Public School students at a World Ocean Day incursion conducted by Batemans Marine Park and Eurobodalla Shire Council on June 8.

More than 200 Narooma Public School students attended the event that focussed on the importance of the ocean, marine parks and marine creatures and what students can do to help solve the problem of marine debris.

Using the DPI Marine Parks advisory trailer and live touch tank, the Year 3 – 6 students got up close and personal with marine animals such as sea urchins, elephant snails and abalone, as they learnt about their lifestyles, adaptations and habitats.

Marine Park Manager, Shamaram Eichmann, said it was fantastic to get back into schools after two years of cancellations due to COVID.

“It’s always so positive to get to talk with kids and teach them about our unique marine environment and the importance of looking after our ocean,’ she said.

“You could see the smiles and hear the laughter as they passed the marine creatures around. There were lots of questions, so you could see they were really engaged.”

Ms Eichmann said it was important to teach students about their local marine habitats.

“Kids often assume marine parks are about preserving coral reefs, but here in southern NSW our marine habitats are different.  Instead of coral reefs, we have the great rocky reef and huge underwater seaweed forests, we also have estuaries, mangroves, seagrass beds and saltmarsh – all amazing habitats kids want to learn more about.”

Relieving Assistant Principal at Narooma Public School, Sharon Pearce, said the World Ocean Day event was a wonderful experience for the students that attended.

“It was a great day, and all the feedback has been positive, “she said.

“We want to make in an annual World Ocean Day event. It was an all-round great environmental learning experience for Narooma Public School and we hope they can come back to see us next year!”