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Education is crucial in safeguarding our oceans
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By Catherine Browne, DST-NRF Intern, SAEON Egagasini Node
I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to attend the opening day of the 8th International Aquarium Congress, which was hosted by the Two Oceans Aquarium at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in September 2012.
The International Aquarium Congress (IAC) is the most important and prestigious event for the global public aquarium industry.
Held every four years, it is the only international platform which gathers decision makers and professionals from the global public aquarium community to share and learn about new developments in the fields of, inter alia, animal husbandry, research, technology (including life support systems), business management, education, in situ conservation and sustainability.
First in Africa
The day’s proceedings commenced with the opening ceremony performance. With the message ‘Deep down we’re all one’, a narrator performed a passionate monologue, illustrating how humans have attempted to rule the ocean, in spite of being infinitely inferior in stature. Some energetic choreography, beautiful singing and pounding drumming made for a brilliant start to the first IAC to be held in Africa as well as in the southern hemisphere.
Delegates were welcomed by Dr Patrick Garratt, Director of the Two Oceans Aquarium and Chairperson of the 8th IAC steering committee. This was followed by addresses by Alan Winde (Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism for the Western Cape), David Green (CEO of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront), Donald Grant (Minister of Education for the Western Cape); with the official opening address delivered by Dr Monde Mayekiso, Deputy Director General: Oceans and Coasts, Department of Environmental Affairs.
Then it was time for keynote speakers Dr Camille Parmesan, Dr Elin Kelsey and Professor George Branch to share their work and passions.
The effect of climate change on oceans
As second most highly cited author in the field of climate change in 2010, Dr Camille Parmesan’s presence at the 8th IAC was fitting. She highlighted how it has become impossible to ignore the effect that climate change has had on our oceans, and pointed out how climate change data relating to oceanic systems in particular, pales in comparison to research done on terrestrial systems.
Her overall message was that climate change is happening and that denial is out of the question. She told delegates that half of the species on earth have changed where they live and two thirds have changed ‘when’ they live -- seasonal behaviour such as mating and migration has been altered.
She pointed out that over the past two decades there has been a mind shift that something needs to be done and as a result, scientific resources have shifted out of basic research into applied conservation, policy making and public education/citizen science. Aquariums play a crucial role in all of this through science communication and outreach.
Dr Elin Kelsey, a writer and consultant specialising in communicating science to the public, opened her presentation Inspiring hope among despair with the question ‘How do you feel when you think about the environment?’
While the frequent response to this question is a sense of despair, dread, concern and hopelessness, Dr Kelsey’s overall message was one of hope and resilience. She believes that scaring people into action does not offer long-term solutions and that there is a need to focus on the more positive.
"It is hard to find hopeful stories because the narrative of ‘doom and gloom’ is very prevalent," Dr Kelsey said. She argued that society seems to focus on problems rather than seeking out potential solutions to those problems. She also suggested that citizens should be empowered by encouraging and providing them with the ‘how to’ to become a part of the action, creating a sense of belonging to the collective community that, together, can make a difference.
Professor George Branch, a South African researcher world-renowned for his work on rocky shores, shared a passionate and lively account of the uniqueness and diversity of the two oceans that wash our coasts and how they differ from one another and drive differences both in the waters (marine and freshwater systems) and in the terrestrial systems of South Africa. He highlighted the phenomenal contrasts of our oceans and shared examples of changes happening, changes that have knock on effects at multiple levels of the system.
Education is key
Judy Mann of uShaka Marine World in Durban opened the education session with her keynote presentation titled Aquarium education: opportunities, approaches and challenges for the future.
Representatives from various aquarium education centres worldwide then shared information about their respective programmes. Yung-Hui Chen from Taiwan told delegates about his work and passion for leading the public to the ocean, enhancing the civic consciousness and the importance of collaboration. Russell Stevens of the Two Oceans Aquarium addressed the question ‘What is the most fundamental function of an aquarium?’ in his presentation, emphasising that education is key. He proposed that education be elevated in the aquarium industry to make the learning experience last beyond a visit to the aquarium.
Guardians of our oceans
Cynthia Vernon from Monterey Bay in the USA told delegates more about the concept of ‘harvesting teen power’, while Manuel Cira from the World Ocean Network focused on their Voice of Youth programme and ‘Youth parliaments for the ocean’. Both speakers highlighted the key role youth play in aquarium programmes, ocean awareness and as guardians of the ocean. Mike Schaadt of the USA shared video footage of youth being engaged in ocean messages that are broadcast on social media platforms and the internet.
Lastly, members of the Two Oceans Aquarium’s Young Biologists programme gave feedback on the International Youth video conference held on 7 September, which involved youths from aquariums around the world who expressed their views, passions, concerns and ideas for the future.
The education session was closed with an open discussion and opportunity for delegates to direct questions to the panel. In conclusion, Russell Stevens of the Two Oceans Aquarium extended a hand of friendship to all aquariums represented and expressed his excitement at how the IAC could be the launching pad for great education collaborations and outcomes.
This was a very informative and inspiring day’s experience overall, an opportunity to learn about different topics, and to meet people from different countries, professions, and walks of life. Many thanks to the Two Oceans Aquarium, sponsors of the IAC and those involved in making the opening of the 8th International Aquarium Congress a great success.
