Shark awareness campaign at the Youth Outreach Programme

A group of students who participated in the shark campaign

The Green Islands Foundation continues with its Shark education and awareness campaign by participating in the Youth Outreach Programme organised by the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) on Tuesday 9^th December 2014. Students from Praslin and La Digue Secondary schools participated in activities sensitizing them to marine conservation. This event was conducted at the Anse Royale fun park by GIF, the Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA), and the Wildlife Clubs of Seychelles (WCS).

This project, which is implemented by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) to the value of $50,000 aims to educate the community and raise awareness on sharks and their importance in the marine ecosystem. Educational campaigns are one of the deliverables of the project, as well as the creation of school education packages for Primary and Secondary school, which are currently underway. GIF is collaborating with several different partners on this project, such as the Wildlife Clubs of Seychelles, Save our Seas Foundation, Ministry of Education, Seychelles Fishing Authority, Wise Oceans and Seychelles National Parks Authority. 

GIF conducting the ‘Shark and Rays’ game

The Youth Outreach Programme event was a great opportunity for GIF to interact with kids and get their impressions on sharks in general.With help from Terence Vel from the WCS, GIF taught children some basic facts based on shark habitat, species, biology, etc. This was done with groups of around 20 students at a time, and a total of around 60 students participated in the shark activity. 

SNPA teaching children about sea turtles

Other students took part in activities organised by the SNPA. Gilberte Gendron sensitized kids about the endangered sea turtles and turtle tagging. On the other hand, Patsy Theresine and Isabelle Ravinia hosted an activity based on different marine species. At the end of the day, the kids went back to Praslin and La Digue knowing more about Seychelles’ incredible marine life and the need for marine conservation.

GIF would like to thank the SNYC for making this event possible, the WCS for giving us the opportunity to participate, as well as the continued support in this project, and the SNPA for their ongoing collaboration.

Children promoting marine conservation