Discover the secrets of our seas during National Marine Week

Tuesday 24th July 2012

Girl rock pooling (c) R MansiGirl rock pooling (c) R Mansi

Whether it’s clinging to a rock among a sea of anemones, or buried in the soft sand in cunning camouflage, the wildlife hidden beneath the waves around Northern Ireland is mysterious and magical. Why not take a voyage of discovery during National Marine Week?

From Saturday 28 July to Sunday 12 August, the Ulster Wildlife Trust will be celebrating our unique undersea life with a range of free marine-themed events across Northern Ireland, for all the family – enjoy a shore ramble in Carlingford Lough, seaweed squelching and hand-baths at Titanic Belfast, a rockpool rummage in Portrush and Annalong, or a coastal walk along Belfast Lough.

Budding marine biologists will also have the chance to take part in ‘real’ science by surveying rocky shore plants and animals that are indicators of climate change, with the results fed into a national online database, as part of the UK-wide Shore Thing Project.

“Our seas are home to a fantastic array of weird and wonderful creatures, many of which can be discovered in the tinniest puddles of water, such as the slippery butter fish and hiding hermit crabs, to the jelly-like blood-red sea anemone,” says Kerri Whiteside, Living Seas Community Engagement Officer with the Ulster Wildlife Trust.

“National Marine Week is the perfect opportunity for people to get out and explore the seaside and experience for themselves the diversity of wildlife that our seas and shores have to offer. As well as being lots of fun, we hope our events will help everyone to understand the importance of protecting our vital marine habitats for the future, and inspire people to join us on our journey towards Living Seas, where wildlife thrives from the depths of the oceans, to the coastal shallows.”

Carlingford Lough Shore Ramble
Saturday 28th July, 11.30am – 2.00pm
FREE EVENT
Search the shores of Carlingford Lough for weird and wonderful creatures that live in the tidal mudflats and around the old ship wreck. There is plenty waiting to be discovered from wriggly worms, to specially adapted marine plants and sea snails. Meet at Victoria Lock, Newry.

Annalong Rockpool Rummage
Sunday 29th July, 12.30am – 3.00pm
FREE EVENT
Search the shore for weird and wonderful creatures and help monitor the impact of climate change on rocky shore species as part of The Shore Thing Project - a UK-wide citizen science initiative. Run in partnership with Mourne Heritage Trust. Meet at Annalong Marine Park Centre.

Portrush Rockpool Rummage
Friday 10th August, 3.00pm – 5.30pm
FREE EVENT
Search the shore for weird and wonderful creatures and help monitor the impact of climate change on rocky shore species as part of The Shore Thing Project - a UK-wide citizen science initiative. Run in partnership with the Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust. Meet at the Coastal Zone Marine and Education Centre, Portrush.

National Marine Week at the Titanic Ocean Exploration Centre
Monday 6th August – Sunday 12th August
FREE EVENT (Standard admission fee to Titanic Belfast)
Join us for seaweed squelching, seaweed hand-baths, marine-themed arts and crafts and talks as part of the Titanic Belfast National Marine Week celebrations.

Belfast Lough Coastal Walk
Thursday 2nd August, 3.00pm – 5.30pm
FREE EVENT
Experience the picturesque coastal path from Whitehead Harbour to Blackhead on a guided walk, stopping en-route to investigate the rocky, sandy, cobble and muddy shore. Run in partnership with Carrickfergus Borough Council. Meet at Whitehead Harbour.

For further details of activities and events taking place during National Marine Week 2012, see our Whats On section.

Tagged with: Living Seas, Free family events, National Marine Week