Under sunny skies and overlooking the sparkling waters, Sidney’s Beacon Park was abuzz on Sunday, June 1, as the World Ocean Day festival drew crowds of families eager to learn about and celebrate the vital importance of the ocean.
The event, a vibrant kick-off to Ocean Week Victoria, offered a diverse array of activities designed to engage visitors of all ages and foster a deeper appreciation for marine ecosystems.
Children's laughter echoed through the park as they explored the various displays and interactive exhibits.
From watercolour painting and origami making to face painting and educational presentations, the festival provided numerous opportunities for learning and fun.
Kids and adults alike were captivated by the wonders of the ocean and the diverse species that call it home.
One of the most popular attractions was a 360-degree video presentation hosted by the Department of Fisheries inside a dome under the bandshell.
Attendees were able to immerse themselves in the depths of the Pacific Ocean, experiencing firsthand the beauty and fragility of marine life.
A young boy stood mesmerized, engaged in a conversation with members of the Royal BC Museum as he examined an octopus specimen.
Elsewhere, a family collaborated on a large underwater puzzle, while another young boy, six-year-old Lyndon Raisinghani, marvelled at a taxidermied sea otter
"It's fuzzy," he exclaimed, giggling.
Lyndon's mother, Richa, explained that she brought her family to the festival to foster an understanding and appreciation for the environment.
"We live on the island, so it's really important for them to experience it and the animals and enjoy the sun and enjoy the beautiful place we live in," she said.
The festival's underlying message was clear: ocean conservation is paramount.
Sea Change Marine Conservation Society, a non-profit organization working in British Columbia since the 1990s, highlighted the importance of nearshore ecosystems, coastal environments and eelgrass beds.
Kendra Nelson, communications manager for Sea Change, emphasized the critical role of eelgrass, stating, "Any salmon, herring, or crab that you've eaten has lived in eelgrass."
She further explained that eelgrass protects the shoreline from erosion and provides vital habitat for numerous marine species.
Nelson cautioned about the impact of human activities on eelgrass, particularly boating.
"When anchors go down in an eelgrass bed and you pull an anchor up, it scours it and rips up the eelgrass, and that can really damage the ecosystem."
Sea Change's mission is to raise awareness about the importance of these vital habitats and encourage responsible practices, whether boating, walking the shoreline, or simply being mindful of our impact.
They displayed pictures of salmon smolts in eelgrass, marine debris, and showcased their divers conducting biodiversity surveys and data collection as part of the island’s Resilient Estuaries of the Salish Sea project.
World Ocean Day festival in Sidney marks the beginning of Ocean Week Victoria, a nationwide initiative promoting education and conservation in conjunction with World Oceans Day on June 8.
