FAIR SEAS EVENT TO SHOWCASE WONDERS OFF KERRY COAST
Fair Seas is hosting a special event in Dingle this week to celebrate the rich waters off the Kerry coast. Organisers are inviting the public to attend a talk about the whales, dolphins and porpoises that call this part of the country home. They will also hear about how they can play their part in helping to protect these creatures.
The free event takes place at An Díseart, Dingle, Co Kerry at 6.00pm this Friday July 14th. Sibeál Regan, Education and Outreach Officer with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group will give a talk about the aquatic mammals known as cetaceans. She will also speak about the Fair Seas campaign to protect, conserve and restore Ireland’s unique marine environment.
The talk will be followed by a screening of the short documentary film Fair Seas: The Kingdom of Kerry. It features the views of local communities in Kerry who make a living from the sea and is produced by Fair Seas. The film explores how Marine Protected Areas might offer new means to conserve the incredible marine life that has supported these communities for centuries.
Sibeál Regan said, “The marine life of Kerry is truly spectacular. This year, the Greater Skellig Coast – the waters from Kenmare Bay in Co Kerry to Loop Head in Co Clare was named Ireland’s first Hope Spot. Although small at only 1.37%, these waters support huge biodiversity including the highest densities of minke and humpback whale recorded in the EEZ. Effectively protecting this upwelling area teeming with life is critical to ensuring a healthy sea.
Jack O’Donovan Trá, Fair Seas Communications Officer added, “We are so excited to be on the Dingle Peninsula after shooting key parts of our award-winning short film in the area in 2022. We gathered stories across Kerry from people that make their living from the sea and we are now delighted to be back for the Dingle premiere of Fair Seas: The Kingdom of Kerry.”
Fair Seas is also asking people to complete an online survey, answering questions about the health of Ireland’s marine environment, how they use the seas and what actions they believe the Irish government needs to be taking to manage this environment.
The Ocean Literacy Survey will remain open until the end of the summer. All information collected through the survey will be held securely and treated in the strictest confidence. It will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and consent can be withdrawn at any time. To take part visit the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/OceanConnectionsFairSeas