NR-M-98-19E
DFO OPEN HOUSE TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE OCEAN
June 25, 1998
Charlottetown -- 1998 marks the
UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE OCEAN with countries
all over the world involved in activities to draw attention to the critical
importance of the oceans to current and future generations and the need
for all governments and citizens to be actively involved in its protection
and in the sustainable management of its resources.
In PEI, the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans, in partnership with many of the those involved in the Island´s
oceans community, is inviting the public to an Open House at the Charlottetown
Coast Guard Base on Saturday, June 27 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to celebrate
the International Year of the Ocean.
There will be wide variety of active and
static displays. Visitors can tour the CCGS Earl Grey, a 230' ice breaker,
board an inshore patrol vessel, get a close up look at a Coast Guard helicopter,
see the state-of-the-art Fast Response Enforcement Craft, see how buoys
are maintained and lighted for the safety of the boating public and learn
first hand how marine emergency crews respond to oil spills. There will
be aquariums with fish and touch tanks for the kids.
There will be displays by the Atlantic
Salmon Federation, the PEI Aquaculture Industry Alliance, the Island Nature
Trust, the Cardigan Fish Hatchery, the Canadian Aquaculture Institute,
the PEI Seafood Processors Association and other groups representing the
oceans community of PEI. As well, the RCMP, Transport Canada, Parks Canada,
the PEI Department of Fisheries and Environment and other government agencies
will be on hand.
There will be special activities for kids
including entertainment, face painting, a fishing pond, food and a special
treasure map which the children can use to collect stamps at the various
displays and eventually find a treasure! While there is no charge to come
to the Open House, benefits from the events will go to the Queen Elizabeth
Hospital Foundation.
All visitors will be offered the chance
to sign and take away a copy of My Ocean Charter,
a personal commitment to protect the ocean as well as opportunities to
win Oceans Year collectibles. A special Year of the Ocean ceremony will
take place at 12:30 with Wayne Easter, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister
of Fisheries and Oceans, and other leaders involved in the oceans sector,
in government and industry.
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For more information:
Hank Scarth
Area Manager, Prince Edward Island
Fisheries and Oceans
Charlottetown, P.E.I.
(902) 566-7810
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