Otago marine protection symposium part of Seaweek

A symposium to discuss issues around marine protection in Otago is just one of the events being held to mark Seaweek in Dunedin.

Seaweek starts tomorrow and runs until March 14 nationwide and aims to raise awareness of the role of fish in healthy oceans.

In Dunedin, events being held include the Dunedin Coastal Clean-up, being held on March 14, a Dunedin City Council poster competition and story time at Dunedin Library.

The forum, Otago's Changing Seas, at the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre, Portobello, would bring together academics from the University of Otago, members of the Otago Conservation Board and representatives from the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Fisheries.

The aim was to discuss and share information on how Otago's coast could be protected and preserved for future generations.

Clean-up organiser Department of Conservation community relations ranger Liz Sherwood said she hoped that Dunedin people would volunteer some of their time to collect rubbish from any part of the coast between Waikouaiti and Taieri Mouth.

"People drop a huge amount of rubbish on Dunedin beaches, and this is a chance to remedy that."

She would especially like to see businesses teams and students participating this year.

Children's radio show Space Station Kiwi (Toroa Radio 1575 AM) is running a special Seaweek programme on March 10.

- rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz