Sharks spotted on
Malin Head beach
30.05.24
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SHARKS of all shapes and
sizes have appeared on White Strand beach in Malin Head
over the last couple of weeks as part of the Marine
Institute’s Explorers Fin-Tastic Sharks and Mermaids
Sculpture Challenge across Ireland, supporting the
annual European Maritime Day (EMD) - In My Country
events. |
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Children from Inishowen
create some Fin-Tastic Shark sculptures on White Strand,
Malin Head while learning about sharks and seaweeds
around Ireland with William McElhinney, Marine
Institute’s Explorers Education Programme. |
Lead by the Marine
Institute’s Explorers Education Programme’s team,
Ireland is among 31 countries supporting the EMD ‘In My
Country events’ organised by the European Commission.
Each year, EMD is celebrated around mid-May to raise
awareness about the seas and oceans and their importance
to our environment, economy and culture.
The sculptures were built by hundreds of children,
families and friends in Sandycove Dublin, White Strand
Malin Head in Donegal, and Grattan Beach in Galway.
"The shark and mermaid sand and rock sculptures,
embellished with shells and seaweed decorations, are
inspired by the different sharks found in Irish waters,
such as the Basking Shark with its incredible sized
mouth, the thresher shark and its amazing tail, and the
undulate skate with its beautiful markings,” remarked Dr
Nóirín Burke, Explorers Education Programme team
manager.
Sharks, skates and rays are some of the most threatened
species in the world. In Ireland, marine scientists work
with fishers and local communities to learn about local
sightings of sharks and skates which is key to helping
with their conservation. Much of the research has found
that Irish waters are a perfect refuge for many shark,
skate and ray species, such as the basking shark and the
common stingray.
The Explorers EMD – In My Country events further
celebrated the recent publication of its Explorers Fin-Tastic
Sharks+ resources that includes: An Introduction to
Elasmobranch for Children and the new Mermaid’s Purse
Identification Key. These resources are freely available
to download from
www.explorers.ie and are suitable for introducing
cross curricular content in the classroom as themed
projects. |
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