Thursday, December 20, 2018
Marine education and awareness continues to thrive on Montserrat under marine enthusiast and business owner, Miss Veta Wade.
Veta has announced that eighteen teenage girls of the Girls Education Project on
Montserrat joined Fish ‘n Fins Inc.
for an exciting four-week agenda - the Fish ‘n Fins Mermaid Edition. This programme focuses on providing an ocean
edVenture program for a number young women on the island.
This collaboration was created under the
theme ‘’ GIRL
POWER - Defending the Future of Our Earth & Oceans,” made
possible by the Waitt Institute, who have been working in collaboration with the Government
of Montserrat to develop a marine spatial plans to manage Montserrat’s ocean for
sustainability, profitability and enjoyment.
“The novel female-focused edition of Fish ‘n Fins is a unique opportunity aimed at supporting the development of strong, passionate girls becoming powerful and empathetic voices for our ocean”, said Ms. Shirley Osborne, Founder of the Girls Education Project.
The Fish ‘n Fins Mermaid Edition launched officially on Saturday, December 8th with its sailing and science edVenture day; an exciting educational science tour on board visiting science ship ‘Corwith Cramer’ of the Sea Education Association at Woodshole Oceanographic Institution.
“The girls experienced science on the water, through three main Watches; on each Watch they were able to experience a different learning station”, commented Dr. Jeff Schell, Associate Professor of the Oceanography Program Director for SEA Semester: Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean.
1.
‘’Boat Check, a safety check of the ship done every
hour; also, a great tour of the entire ship.
2.
Set and Strike a sail. Everyone was able to get to
haul on some lines and set a sail.
3. Lab Tour & Plankton Lesson. The girls were able to meet the science equipment and look through the microscope at cool critters collected in Montserrat’s waters. The afternoon ended with snacks and time for questions and discussions. ‘’
“I’m looking forward to continued collaborations with Dr. Schell and Sea Semester in particularly to the
sharing of data from science research in our waters. This will be very relevant
and useful to students participating in Fish ‘n Fins programmess going forward”, Miss
Wade added. 
Fish ‘n Fins Mermaid Edition
will continue in January 2019, with a follow up to the experience gained onboard Corwith Cramer during December, 2018. The girls will be given the opportunity to
share their feedback and questions, with Ms. Wade and Ms. Robin Ramdeen, Site
manager Blue Halo Montserrat, through a girl powered chat on ocean related
careers and mentorship.
On 5th January 2019 the programme will feature a snorkelling and swim edVenture day-building
the girls’ water confidence as they explore marine life at Little Bay.
On 12th
January, there will be a morning of ocean related games and discussion on marine
management areas; all culminating in a conservation through art experience scheduled
for 19th January, where the girls will be treated to an awesome
creative session on contemporary and collage art techniques. Finally, the Fish
‘n Fins Mermaid Edition will end with a Mermaid’s pledge on one thing each girl
can personally do to help protect the Ocean.
To follow more on Fish ‘n Fins Mermaid Edition, visit their website, www.aquafishnfins.com, or follow them on Instagram @fishnfinskids
