Events and Activities catch up from summer!!

Past activities &events catch up!

Summer Sea Camp
We had an exciting week with a lovely group of budding marine biologists on our sea camp! Sessions were packed full of fun with talks, activities, experiments and games to teach marine mammals, sharks and fish, rocky seashore species and marine conservation. Highlights were showing the campers a real dogfish and drawing out a life size blue whale in the sand, all 30m of it! Matilda, age 8 from England, said her favourite part of the camp was exploring the rock pools with the camp leaders who “told us lots of cool facts”. Wonderful to hear! Thank you to all of our enthusiastic students who made the week a thoroughly enjoyable experience! Lots of sea camps will be running in summer 2017 so watch this space!

IWDG’s Whale Watch Ireland
We had a great afternoon on Hogs Head on the 27^th August for IWDG's National Whale Watch Ireland 2016. Even though we didn’t see the beautiful creatures a good time was had by all! Out of the 20 locations who took part across the country, 13 produced sightings with an impressive 5 species at Clogher Head in our very own Co. Kerry! Thank you to everyone who took part!
http://www.iwdg.ie/news/?id=2652

Big Beach Clean
The clouds parted and the sun shone down on our annual Big Beach Clean in association with Clean Coasts! Fourteen volunteers collected in excess of 25 bags full of marine litter from Waterville Lohar and Inny strand beach! The bulk of the litter was plastic - bottles, fishing line/nets, cables, crates and we even found shoes and flip flops! It was lovely to see some new faces and especially holidaymakers from London! Thanks a million for the help, many hands make light work!

Coming up/News:

Heritage in Schools
I provide interactive workshops on biodiversity, marine heritage, wildlife and conservation, and ‘Leave No Trace’ for primary schools as part of the Heritage in Schools Scheme. The school visits provide additional education on the natural and cultural world. If you work in a school or know anyone who does please pass on this information! Follow the link below to find out how to book a visit!
http://www.heritageinschools.ie/heritage-education-in-schools-ireland/

Irish Responsible Tourism Awards
Sea Synergy has been short listed for the Irish Responsible Tourism Awards by a panel of industry experts under the category ‘Best for Natural Heritage Tourism’! We will find out the result on October 6^th at the 2016 Irish Responsible Tourism Conference in Dublin. Wish us luck!
http://www.independent.ie/life/travel/travel-news/irish-responsible-tourism-awards-to-promote-better-way-to-travel-35049135.html

14^th-16^th October - Iveragh Learning Landscapes
A two day event focussing on place based learning, outdoor education, nature connection and heritage through talks, workshops and guided walks hosted by international and local experts. Perfect for educators, tourism providers, parents and anyone interested in our local environment. Family friendly workshops will be taking place 10am-12pm on both Saturday 15^th and Sunday 16^th. Only €20 for the entire weekend. Not to be missed! Register online through Eventbrite (link below) ASAP as spaces are limited.
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/iveragh-learning-landscapes-symposium-place-based-learning-in-beautiful-iveragh-peninsula-tickets-26917260250

Plastic-Free July
by Sadhbh Quinn

A single use plastic bag can take up to 1000 years to break down into micro-plastics – in its

lifetime it can be ingested by, and result in the premature deaths of up to 100 dolphins

and sea turtles – and this lethal material, no matter how pulverized it becomes by the

oceans, is never truly gone! Even after it’s eventual, glacial-paced degradation to

microscopic smithereens, it is still causing detrimental and toxifying effects to the micro-

ecosystem – the basis for all life in the oceans.

It was this, among other shocking facts and statistics coming to light through the

increasing levels of scientific study into the serious dangers posed by plastic contamination

that prompted myself and my colleagues and team mates at Sea Synergy Marine

Awareness Centre in Waterville to attempt the challenge of a month completely FREE of

plastics! Here is an excerpt of the peaks and troughs I experienced on the journey…

Okay, it wasn’t easy. In fact, it was incredibly challenging. But for the opening of my eyes to

this new and sobering reality, it was so worth it, as the tough things often are.

Living in a rural town where there is one small supermarket (not good when you have no

car!) eliminating all plastic dependency seemed to present us with a pretty momentous

challenge. The idea of keeping a balanced diet seemed next to impossible. At first, we

struggled to imagine how we would cope for an entire month on only the few loose fruits

and veggies to be found in the local shop (avocados, bananas and some  poorly-

looking tomatoes being the only ones that were not wrapped needlessly in plastic

packaging), fresh baked bread and whatever else may be found in cans, jars and the freezer

sections’ array of cardboard boxes.

The basics were out; cartons of milk, sliced bread, bin bags… bottled water? Not a chance.

The fact that I eat a vegetarian diet only funnelled my own options further toward the

processed foods section. Often, after being delighted to find an innocent looking box of

biscuits on the health shelf, I would later be devastated to find the delicious inner contents

individually coated in heavy plastic. Our reactions to these kind of setbacks was equal parts

frustration, bafflement and grief.

Why? Just, why?

The pointlessness all of it was what really struck me. Why would they bother? Surely, its

extra effort, extra money for the company, if nothing else. In most cases, the plastic is doing

little or nothing to actually preserve the food inside. Certainly nothing that other more

sustainable materials couldn’t do equally well. Some might argue it’s a ‘hygiene’ thing. But

on digging a little deeper we find it’s less a hygiene thing and more a psychological thing for

the consumer. Which makes it a marketing thing for the company. Which makes it a money

thing for the economy.

For the producer under demand, it makes sense. Spend a little more on individually plastic-

wrapped biscuits and make the product look better, make it seem of a higher calibre of

biscuit. The biscuit for the person who has everything. The company’s investment is

returned with a higher price tag. And the consumer is rewarded with a lighter pocket and a

quietly dying environment as the backdrop to a generation.

It’s only now, after this experience, that the hardship of finding food items has become truly

apparent, or any products for that matter, that are not in some way wrapped, protected,

lined, adorned, decorated with or made of plastic. It is an absolute mission. It requires

creativity, ingenuity, organisation and forward-thinking just to get your weekly shopping.

Never mind the industriousness it would take to run your business plastic-free. But it

doesn’t need to be that way.

Its pure madness, to a level that I feel I was so institutionalized to as the ‘norm’ that I never

even realised this madness was in me too. Now, I think back to days sitting on the wall of

Dun Laoghaire’s West Pier, watching the shipping traffic of massive cargo ships endlessly

stream in and out of Dublin port, their brightly coloured metal containers so serenely out of

place under the familiar blanket of grey cloud and the pale, Irish sun. What were they all

carrying?

Consumer goods from all over the world.

Your fruit, vegetables, chocolate, coffee, spices, condiments, gardening equipment, buggies,

toys, printer ink, stationary, clothes, arts and crafts. Everything a carrier for the plague of

plastics that eventually end up in our landfills, rubbish tips, incinerators, and the vast

majority, in our oceans. Make no mistake, it is a disease. One that is killing our oceans and

thus, the majority of life on earth. And lest we forget, the oceans are also the lifeblood that

supports us. Humanity is intimately connected with, and dependent on, the sea for survival.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch for instance. How is that a thing? It sounds like a

sightseeing destination, a place of interest. The Great Barrier Reef or the Grand Canyon. But

no, it is not a landmark, but a blight, a fetid wound on our planets already bruised flank. Its

area is estimated anywhere from 700,000 square km to 15 million square km of rubbish.

This astounding surface area is due to micro-plastics (plastic materials pumped into the

oceans that have been smashed into toxic microscopic smithereens but still remain present

and detectable by sampling) which make up a HUGE proportion of the GPGP mass. Micro-

plastics are readily ingested by many forms of marine life from the largest of all, the baleen

whales, to the smallest of all, microscopic creatures called plankton. As plankton are the

number one basic food group feeding all life in the ocean, their contamination pollutes the

entire oceanic food web. It’s the equivalent of all terrestrial plant-life (think crops)

simultaneously being infected by a toxic virus.

Great indeed.

After the initial pain we felt, our experience started to slowly plateau and suddenly, to

improve. We got creative. We ordered fresh produce from the local farm, our ‘green boxes’

turned up with a fabulous array of lettuce, spinach leaves, rocket, leek, carrots, onion,

chives, beetroot, cabbage, new potatoes and fresh herbs, parsley, bay leaves, lemon balm,

mint, coriander, rosemary. The list went on. And the best bit? It was all fresh picked,

organic, local and tasted amazing. And because our supplier was a friend and neighbour we

needed only share the goal of our Plastic-Free Journey in order to have everything boxed in

wood, cardboard and paper. No plastic in sight. Fantastic! This is the way it should be. Local,

sustainable trade supporting the community and protecting our environment all at once.

Now we were helping the environment in a new way. By buying our greens locally we were

completely circumnavigating the crazy fuel requirements it takes for our fruit and veg to be

shipped from the UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, North Africa, Israel. Our oceans were

being spared another unnecessary body blow.

Of course, it wasn’t all plain sailing. We all had a few weak moments, lapses, break-downs.

But it can be easier. Demand for plastic-free goods in great numbers will produce a

response. Action equals reaction. It’s a physical law, an inevitability. We may imagine it is

the producer that controls the options of the consumer, but it is in fact consumers that

dictate demand on the producer. It’s not a chicken-egg scenario, we have the power. We

are the majority and we need to band together in order to make our voices heard, our votes

count and buy and boycott our way to a cleaner, safer environment for ourselves and to

secure a future we can be proud of.

Let’s not become the wasted generation.

Arriving! 

Written by Sadhbh Quinn,
Sea Synergy summer intern 2016

The rare Irish sun beamed off the sleek green finish of the Paddywagon tour bus as it trundled, black-eyed and beetle-like, along the coastal road of the Iveragh Peninsula. 

We were steadily approaching the little sea-side haven of Waterville town and a collective ‘ooooooh’-ing erupted from within the bus every few minutes or so as it periodically ambled into view of the heaving Atlantic ocean, draped in a finery of billowing cerulean robes and crowned in the magnificent dark jewels of the storm-sculpted Skelligs.

The gleaming emerald cuticle of the tour bus blended well with the myriad of fresh green and blue hues which swathed the countryside. But inside sat an even more colorful bunch, an eclectic gaggle of friendly American and German tourists, and one slightly misplaced Dublin girl. 

I had rather brilliantly decided to arrive for my new job on a Bank holiday Monday, and with the only local bus invariably out of action, I instead turned to the reliable and increasingly thriving tourism sector of South Kerry for salvation. I booked myself onto a Ring of Kerry tour with the aim of hopping off at my stop halfway through. The Paddywagon operators were amazingly nice about my customized trip – even for ‘down the country’ as we insular Dubliners tend to label the rest of Ireland - they even agreed to stash my bike for free!

Invariably while trying to manoeuvre the unwieldy thing beneath the bus (my bike was temporarily serving as a packhorse strapped with what looked like enough supplies to last an expedition through the Arctic) I was forced to ask for help from the jovial, mischievous-looking bus driver, Paul. The result was the immediate detection of my Dublin accent and my appointment as the honourary mascot for the trip. 

I was welcomed with open arms and twinkling eye onto the bus as Paul made a show of getting me to sit in the fold-out front seat beside him at the very front. He also insisted on referring to me as his ‘co-pilot’ and made a point of asking me every 10 minutes to sing a song ‘as Gaeilge’ through the crackling microphone-headset into which he was giving his spiel. I strategically declined by informing him that the only tune I knew in Irish was the national anthem (and not well at that) to which he responded by throwing his eyes to heaven in blustered disappointment and hastily withdrawing the mouthpiece from my side of the bus. Paul turned out to be mighty craic all together and the 2 hour trip flew by in various bouts of hilarity and uproar! 

Attending IT Tralee and doing a course in Wildlife Biology, which emphasises field work and the outdoors, I felt I had some grasp of the beauty of the Kerry landscape from my various expeditions north of the county. I soon realised, while I ogled, open-mouthed, right along with my far-flung companions, that I was sorely mistaken. I had no idea, even after two years living in the Kingdom, not the slightest inkling, of what lay a mere skip, hop and one somewhat ludicrous Paddwagon down the road from my front door.

I got the job with Marine Biologist Lucy Hunt at Sea Synergy Marine Awareness Centre through my uncle, who met Lucy queuing for lunch at a business conference in Dublin, and evidently did a good job of talking me up! The more I heard about the project in Waterville, the more excited and inspired I became by the prospect of spending the summer not only gaining invaluable experience in a field I am passionate about, but also to be a part of a project that contributes something positive to the world. In these times, it’s easy to feel helpless in the face of the numbing violence, audacious self-interest and political apathy to the plight of fellow humans, wildlife and the environment we all call home. 

Finally, here was something I could DO! Something good, something tangible and something that was encouraging and facilitating the type of sorely-needed respect for our finite natural resources and rich natural heritage that will be what sustains us into the next generations. 

Nothing was going to stop me getting there on time - it's not advisable to show up late on the very first day of a dream job after all! 

And so I arrived in Waterville (bank holiday or no bank holiday), wheeling the handlebars of my pack-horse in one hand and wielding a tent in the other - butterflies threatening to burst from my stomach in the familiar aching excitement and anticipation of a new journey - I entered the pretty white-washed shop front with the blue whale-tail sticking out above the door and the quirky window boxes of daftly nodding sea pink waving me inside and began a new chapter in my story. The one about connection, compassion and giving back! 

Little did I know the inspiring people I would meet and the awesome adventures that awaited me – both on land and the high seas!

And it's still only just begun!

JULY EVENTS

JOIN IN THE FUN

Upcoming events (keep an eye on our FACEBOOK: LH MARINE & SEA SYNERGY also for new events week by week)

Sat 2nd July 10am-midday Beach Crafts workshop, fun on the beach and scavenger hunt followed by indoors crafting with beach treasures supervised by Karen from Majackal Creations  (€20ea 6yrs+)

Sun 3rd July 10am-11:30 Explorers workshop,  Everyone is an explorer with our marine biologists (€10ea)

Sat 9th July 2-4pm Beach Art Fun creations on the beach with marine biologists followed by painting and art with local artist Dana Winder (€20ea 6yrs+)

Sat 23rd July 10am-midday Beach Art Fun creations on the beach with marine biologists followed by painting and art with local artist Dana Winder (€20ea 6yrs+)

Sat 30th July 10am Smugglers Beach Explorers workshop,  Everyone is an explorer with our marine biologists (€10ea)

Sea School camps

July 18th - 21st 10am-12:30 (10yrs+yrs) fun learning and discovery on local beaches and in Sea Synergy centre on the ocean, Irish sea life, marine biology and conservation. please book in advance as limited spaces €90

July 25th-28th 2pm-4:30pm (6-10yrs) fun learning and discovery on local beaches and in Sea Synergy centre on the ocean, Irish sea life, marine biology and conservation. please book in advance as limited spaces €90

July 29th 10-2pm Marine biology taster, Fun surveys and learning what a marine biologist work involves. Great for anyone interested in being a marine biologist or what we do. (Teens ++) €40 Limited places so please book in advance

NEW FOR JULY 2016!!

Nature connection and mindfulness walks throughout July on Tuesday evenings at 7pm, a time to clear your head, relax and practice mindfulness in a beautiful setting. 1hr,  different local location each week, €10ea please book in advance on 0877850929 or call/email me to find out more.

Wildlife & Coastal Exploration rib trips to Bull rock throughout July on Thursday mornings chance to see seals, porpoise, dolphins & whales and lots of seabirds with wildlife guide along the beautiful rugged Wild Atlantic Way coastline. 3 hour trip €50 please book in advance minimum numbers 10 people.

Sunday afternoons in Ballinskelligs for market day, Beach Exploration or Discover snorkeling opportunities Discover the local beach biodiversity (€10 -1.5hrs 4pax min) or get wet and go snorkeling with marine biologists (€25pp 1.5hrs 2pax min). Tide and weather dependent.

FOR MORE INFO EMAIL LUCY ON seasynergy@gmail.com or call 0877850929

Follow us on Facebook LH MARINE & SEA SYNERGY

Meet the very important people in Sea Synergy this summer, without their help we could not keep going. I am forever grateful to all the people who help Sea Synergy grow, are raising marine awareness and partaking in very important research in the local area! Go raibh mile maith agat!!

Hey there! I’m Louise, and I’m a thalassophile - I love the sea! Growing up in a big city, London no less, didn’t stop my emerging fascination for nature and, in particular, the ocean; the biodiversity and outstanding beauty of our coasts hooked me at a young age and I have been under the spell ever since! 

I have been studying Marine Biology at the University of Southampton which has been an invaluable experience, but sitting in a lecture doesn’t excite me quite like having your toes in the sand and the smell of the sea all around you. Any excuse to immersed in nature and I’m there! Another thing about me is that I absolutely love kids and the pure joy that they bring to life. Their curiosity and energy is something to be embraced. I can’t think of anything better than combining my two passions by working with children every day to encourage and inspire them to love and care for the world around us.

The moment I read about Sea Synergy and the voluntary position available I emailed my friend the link with the words, ‘I want it’. Her response, ‘Go. For. It.’. A letter, an interview and a few emails to Lucy later and here I am today! Sea Synergy embodies all of the things I am most enthusiastic about: marine biology, environmental education, conservation, mental wellbeing and kids. I cannot put into words how excited I am for the rest of summer!

 

Louise rock pooling

Hi, my name is Sadhbh - I’m a Wildlife Biology student at IT Tralee, originally hailing from Dublin. Far from my city roots, I’m a total nature and wildlife junkie and love to travel and spend most of my time outdoors – which makes the job spec of a marine biologist pretty much my idea of heaven! My background is in kayaking and rock climbing but I have a passion for all things outdoors – any excuse will have me out on the ocean, cycling through the countryside or hiking toward a great view. I believe in creating space to pursue your passions within your chosen profession and, in doing so, making the word ‘job’ obsolete!

I came to Sea Synergy because of the passion and drive I saw here for the protection of the oceans which I believe has the power to inspire people to effect real and lasting change on our little island - and on its attitude toward the sea on which it is so very dependent for survival. All positive change starts with a single voice in the crowd and I’m really excited to be adding mine J

Sadhbh looking after a baby turtle

Hi I'm Eleanor (or you can call me Ellie :)) I graduated from Bangor Universtiy with a degree in Marine Biology in 2008, then after travelling for a few years I settled back home in south Kerry. I work locally in Waterville and enjoy helping out at Sea Synergy when I'm not too busy walking the dog, drinking tea or trying to grow vegetables from food scraps on my kitchen window!!

Ellie very happy after an aerial survey for whales & dolphins

Looking to do something good for you this weekend ??

Join Alex and I on our Optimum You wellness workshop in Tech Amergin, Waterville this sat morning 10am-1pm. Discover health benefits of yoga, optimum nutrition and nature connection. Invest in your health for €25  - free smoothie/juice samples! Please book by calling Alex on 0876861844 or email careyyogaandnutrition@gmail.com
https://careyyogaandnutrition.com/2016/05/17/optimum-you-workshop/

Hope you are enjoying this fabulous weather! Summer has begun and the water is warming up! Lots of life about, long days and spectacular sunsets!

Sea Synergy Marine Awareness centre and sea life exhibition re-opens this friday 3rd of June! Aswell as our live animals in our tanks, whale and dolphin exhibition and interactive displays we have some new features such as Pirate corner and inkeeping with Skelligs and Star Wars craze we have a fun Yoda search trail in the exhibition! Fun for all the family!

UPCOMING EVENTS

We have lots of kids (6yrs+) workshops planned for the weekends, so please let anyone you know who is down for the Bank holiday weekend and looking for fun activities for their kids to partake in, about the workshops in Waterville, the fine weather looks like it is here to stay! See poster attached for more details on workshops. Please email me or call 0877850929 to book on as limited spaces.

Sat 4th Beach explore and yoga 10am-midday.

Sun 5th Beach arts & Crafts 11am-1pm

Mon 6th Explore Seashore 11-12:30pm

Sat 11th Explore seashore  2pm-3:30pm

The 8th of June is International World Oceans Day and to celebrate Sea Synergy sea life exhibition will be free entry on the day. with a presentation on marine life and ocean conservation at 4:30pm. We will also be going for a swim on Waterville beach at 6:15pm so feel free to join us (in IRD carpark) for some blue mind time (weather permitting -fingers crossed it stays like this) and doing a 2 minute beach clean up before/after - every little helps!

I have teamed up with long time friend and fantastic yoga teacher and nutritionist Alexandra Carey to hold a half day wellness and nature connection workshop Called 'Optimum You' to be held in Tech Amergin on 18th of June. Lots of nutrition and health advice (incl why we need nature) in a relaxed fun environment. Contact Alex on 0876861844 or email her on careyyogaandnutrition@gmail.com or of course you can contact me too :)

The following weekend is Discover Derrynane weekend 24th-26th June with lots of outdoor activities and presentations on our fantastic biodiversity here on Iveragh. (All events are FREE) I will be giving a fun interactive Marine Creature Feature workshop on Sat at 3:30pm in Derrynane House followed by a presentation on the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).

We still have some dates free for school beach days so please contact me asap if you would like to go to your local beach with your school and have your students discover the marine life there!

If anyone is interested in sailing or trying something new I have two sailing trips coming up this year which you can join us on: 

 1. IWDG & West Cork Sailing from Castletownbere to Camaret 'The Shelf Edge cruise'

Outward Cruise: Dates 28 th of August to September 7 th Castletownbere (West Cork, Ireland) to Camaret (Brittany, France)

Return Cruise: September 8 th to 18th Camaret (Brittany) to Castletownbere (West Cork).

Places are still available to join a cruise recording cetacean activity principally in the Irish EEZ from West Cork to Brittany where the shelf edge is targeted from Ireland to France on Jessy of Adrigole a 37ft yacht (Jessy). Contact plyne@eircom.net

2. Sea Self - Mindfulness @ Sea Click the link to find out more 

St. Thomas, USVirgin Islands & British Virgin Islands Length: 9 days 8 nights Focus: Mindfulness at sea:) 

MAY news

We had a fantastic day for the German Press group and Failte Ireland at Bray Head so an audience of over 500,000 German  will know more about our beautiful SW Kerry coastline, WAW and the marine life that inhabit it through German media.

Also I was very lucky to get out in this fine weather to Skelligs guiding a great group over the weekend. If you or a customer of yours wants a local guide for the day please contact me for a fun filled and informative day on the Iveragh Peninsula, walking, boat trips, marine activities and wellness packages available.

And to finish up May we did an aerial survey onboard the Aircorps CASA 252 where we saw basking sharks, minke whales and lots of dolphins photos available on Facebook LH Marine & Sea Synergy

Looking forward to seeing you next week or over the summer!