Women and the Ocean - that is the fitting focus of World Ocean Day this year. It reminds us that probably 50% of workers along the fish value chain are women - but data are for the most part missing except for some case studies - one of the many things to change for healthy oceans, prosperious and sustainable fisheries and respectful conditions ensured for women, men and ocean life. Brussels kicked off again the series of events by Mundus maris and its partners on three continents to celebrate the Ocean.
Brilliant sunny weather and the usual large crowds flocking to the Brussels Environment Festival (2 June) in the 50aire Park created an excellent scenario for World Ocean Day celebrations at the Mundus maris booth which was "under siege" all day long.
Even before the official opening at 11h until after the closure at 19h visitors joined us at the booth curious to learn more about this year's motto focused on the social role of men and women in relation to the ocean, but in particular what connected women to the ocean.
As in previous years the quizzes were very popular. Testing one's knowledge about such topics as gender or plastic ocean from last year is always fun and often entire families were debating the most appropriate choices before handing in their answers. Winners were offered prizes to be distributed as of 18h during the festival.
If you haven't had a chance to enjoy it at the Mundus maris booth in Brussels, you can try your luck with the quiz about women and ocean here. No cheating! Check the answers here only after you're done!
The quiz about marine plastic was at least equally popular as more and more people become aware of the huge ramifications of our excessive use of different plastic materials and inconsiderate handling. Check it out here - and check against the correct answers.
Indeed there were more completely accurate answer sheets for the plastic quiz than for the gender quiz. Clearly, there is room for improvement in knowledge about gender. So we have a challenge cut out for us to connect increasing ocean literacy more closely with SDG 5 (sustainable development goal) on gender equity and equality.
Other aspects of SDG 14 on ocean protection that played in prominent role in the conversations at the booth were acidification illustrated by two glas jars with mussel shells, one with normal water, the other one with a higher concentration of acid that visibly dissolved the calcareous shell.
Luckily, the concentrations in the ocean are still inferior, but experiments in natural environments demonstrate that animals and plants with calcareous skeletons or shells already have to spend more energy to keep their bodies together and become more vulnerable.
With all the serious concerns about ocean health under attack from overfishing, acidification, plastic and climate change, the need to leave baby fish in the water to grow to adult size had it's fun part as well. Sheets with our mascots, baby fish Samba and Kumba, for coloration with water colours at the kids' corner, attracted droves of parents and kids so that we have to reprint sheets during the day to meet demand.
What better way to create awareness and resolve from early age and stand up together for a healthy ocean, a healthy planet and decent living conditions for all!
Pictures by CE Nauen.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
World Ocean Day in Buenos Aires
On Friday, June 7, Mundus maris together with the Biological Sciences Career of the University of Belgrano celebrated the III edition of World Ocean Day in Buenos Aires titled "The Blue Planet in the Agenda 2030". The event had the support of the Association of Graduates in Biological Sciences of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (AGCB) and the Federation of Professional Associations of Graduates in Biology (FAPBIO).
Dr. Lilian Ferré, Director of the Biological Sciences Course of the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of the University, opened the event and Dr. Marcelo Morales Yokobori, professor of that career path ensured moderation. The ceremony took place in the Presidente Urquiza Auditorium of the so-called High House of Studies.
On this occasion a long list of speakers addressed the audience. They included Dr. Cornelia E Nauen, President of Mundus maris; the Biochemist Constanza Llorente, from the Naval Hydrography Service and doctoral student of the UBA; Lic. Biol. Rocío Pazos, doctoral fellow of CONICET at the Institute of Limnology of La Plata; the Mg. Gustavo Fernández Protomastro, a biologist specialised in waste management with a Master in Environmental Engineering and Management from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia; Dr. Gustavo Lovrich, principal investigator of CONICET at the Austral Center for Scientific Research (CADIC) and leader of the Pampa Azul Project; Lic. Biol. Gabriel Blanco, Head of the On-Board Observer Programme of the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) and Dr. Patricia Morales, guest professor at the University of Louvain and specialist on the sustainable development goals.
Gender and Ocean – UN theme of this year's World Ocean Day
Dr. Cornelia Nauen: "Through the meta-analysis of a large number of in-depth case studies in artisanal fisheries we have realised that, regardless of the socio-economic situation of countries, there is a convergence in the condition of women. While women often act de facto as entrepreneurs of the family business when the men are away at sea, their work also in the pre- and postharvest sector tends not to be recognised and is underpaid or not paid at all. This needs to change. The interconnected Sustainable Development Goals adopted unanimously by the UN General Assembly in 2015 demand gender equality and equity (SDG 5)."
Pollution in seas and estuaries
Bioq. Constanza Llorente: "Mercury is one of the few pollutants that disperses throughout the planet because it vaporises easily and its emissions can be traced beyond where they are being generated. Mercury present in the water gets in contact with living organisms and can penetrate the food web."
Lic. Rocío Pazos: "Microplastics (less than 5mm) can come from primary sources, originally manufactured in small sizes, and secondary sources, by fragmentation of plastic debris through solar radiation. It remains in the environment for very long times affecting the ecosystems."
Mg. Gustavo Fernández Protomastro: "50% of the 40,000 tons of daily garbage that are generated in Argentina are organic waste. They are the main cause of conflict between the treatment plants and their social and urban environment. Throughout the entire food production chain some waste production is unavoidable."
Marine protected areas and monitoring
Dr. Gustavo Lovrich: "In 2013, the creation of marine protected areas started with the Burdwood Bank, south of the Malvinas, in the middle of the ocean. Then Yaganes Marine National Park was created, south of Tierra del Fuego, to protect the species of fish in transit between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans, and for the conservation of the sea bottom. The two current MPAs make up 13% of the Argentine continental shelf."
Lic. Gabriel Blanco: "What we do is a sampling scheme covering the different fleets in order to assign a number of observers in such a way that the information they collect can be extrapolated to the rest of the fleet. Currently, a series of meetings are being scheduled with all interested parties, in order to expand information on bycatch and discards with a view to mitigating them."
The catch reconstruction by commercial groups as shown by the Sea Around Us Project on the basis of its Argentinean collaborators below illustrates why increased effort to improve the statistics are warranted for a solid basis for decision-making.
A
genda 2030
Dr. Patricia Morales: "The objective of sustainable development 14, “Life underwater”, is essential for the survival of humanity because three billion people depend on the seas as sources of protein, as it is also essential for the intrinsic value that the ocean has for the planet. The Sustainable Development Goals are all interdependent and very achievable, with the young generations playing a fundamental role."
Despite the large number of speakers the diversity of interventions kept the audience awake and interested.
The feedback after the event showed that it was worth the effort to organise the gathering and celebrate World Ocean Day as a collective learning exercise at Belgrano University.
Mundus maris thanks Dr. Marcelo Morales Yokobori for his outstanding commitment to make World Ocean Day a fixed date in the science agenda in Buenos Aires and reaching out successfully to many young people.
WOD together with the Soccer Friendly in Hann, Senegal
As in previous years, the Soccer Friendly, a network of several soccer schools in Hann (AMEF), has been a faithful ally of Mundus maris in celebrating again 8 June 2019, World Ocean Day. Let's recall what Babacar Ciss aka Gabou, the president of AMEF, said already clearly several years ago:
"Getting everybody engaged in sports exposed to environmental concerns and protection is essential. Why? First, soccer as a mass sport reaches a huge number of citizens and many youngsters are particularly attached. They follow everything connected to the sport and the communication efforts surrounding it. Young people below 18 years are the hope for a cleaner and better future, they represent half the population."
So sensitising them, also in conjunction with the sport, to the importance of stewardship for the environment is not to be demonstrated any more - their enthusiastic participation in celebrating World Ocean Day illustrates the case.
The day started with a big beach clean-up around the primary school of Hann Pêcheurs, an occasion to reach and engage even more kids. The part of Hann beach cleaned is also close to the fish landing area of Hann, one of the most important in Senegal and a passage way for numerous people. Starting at 10h the clean up was mostly completed by about 13h30. A large number of youngsters in the soccer schools connected to the AMEF were involved.
As Babacar Ciss could exceptionally not supervise the operation that day, his deputies stepped in for him: Messsieurs Aziz Babou, General Secretary in charge of organising the AMEF, and Abdoukarim Ndiaye called Aka, official homologued arbiter in Senegal, who is also deputy secretary general of AMEF.
Following the beach clean up, the volunteers involved had their lunch to rest before the afternoon soccer tournament.
The original planning foresaw a soccer tournament in three categories: young males (Benjamin and Minime) and young girls (Benjamine). As there were some ten boy teams several rounds were scheduled. In the end, for lack of outfits and other mostly logistical reasons, the girl tournament was changed into a goal shooting match.
The boy teams competing were:
Benjamin: Maison Foot, Challenge Foot, Sélection Hann Bel Air – A, Club de l’Amitié, Guney Fary.
Minime: Maison Foot, Challenge Foot, Sélection Hann Bel Air – A, Sélection Hann Bel Air – B, Club de l’Amitié, Guney Fary, Guney Montagne, Sélection Hann Bel Air – B.
The winner's trophy in the Benjamin age group went to Maison Foot - with their captain Seydou Fall almost disappearing behind it during the ceremony. In the Minime age group it was Challenge Foot that prevailed. Team captain Ibrahima Tambédou received the trophy.
The sponsor, Mundus maris, was represented by Aliou Sall, Vice President, and Maria Fernanda Arraes, facilitator and education expert partnering with Mundus maris. The two were invited to hand over the prizes to the teams at the Grand Finale at about 19h.
 |
 |
The two winning teams posing with Maria Fernanda Arraes and Aliou Sall.
WOD together with the CNPS in Sendou, Senegal
The National Collective of Artisanal Fishers in Senegal (Collectif national des pêcheurs artisanaux du Sénégal (CNPS)) is the longest-serving partner of Mundus maris in the country with whom to celebrate World Ocean Day 2019. Badou NDOYE, national President of the CNPS had signaled the intention to contribute to the growing chorus of organisations and individuals whose active participation makes the event bigger and more representative year after year.
The initial idea was to celebrate the day in Mbour in the vicinity of the national headquarters of the organisation. However, in the face of other activities already massively funded by oil and gas companies such as Total, active in the area and lobbying for public consent for access to beach and offshore spaces for infrastructure needed to develop production of the fossil industry and export of energy, the leaders of the CNPS decided it would be better to move to Sendou.
Sendou is not as big a fish landing place as Mbour, but in Sendou and a neighbouring community fishers are fighting since years against two large infrastructure projects liable to have a huge negative impact on the marine and coastal environments on which these communities and many more people in Senegal depend for food and a living. One of these projects is one of the biggest mineral ports in West Africa to handle the expected massive export of gas and petroleum the production of which is scheduled to start soon. The other project is a big coal fired power plant which came on stream in November 2018 but has even raised eyebrows at the African Development Bank (AfDB), a major funder, for not meeting environmental and health standards.
The local committee of the CNPS is very active there and deserves welcome support together with another very dynamic local association (Naatal Sendou) to send a clear signal to the administration that these communities care for a healthy environment - for World Ocean Day and during all of the year.
As a result, all activities were focused on a beach clean-up. This was an opportunity for an intergenerational mobilisation including some ladies, who had spent their entire lives primarily in fish processing, had been the first female members of the CNPS activities and were now pensioneers, joined the younger ones on the beach. This was the case e.g. of Ndew Sène, Ndèye Niang and Madjiguène Faye.
Thanks to the excellent collaboration between the local Committee of the CNPS chaired by Baye Ngagne Thiombane and the Naatal Sendou Association under the able leadership of its general secretary Matar Niang the turn-out and the results of the day were a success. These two had already prepared utensils and an operational plan beforehand.
So, on 8 June, the volunteers started the beach clean-up punctually at 10h30. As the entire area is badly affected by the garbage and wastes of the infrastructure work for the mineral port, there was plenty to do.
The volunteers then turned their attention to removing the solid waste which had been discharged into the sea by the industries and also private households but been thrown back by the currents. The clean-up lasted until about 14h!
Encouraged by the newly found cleanliness of the area used for fish processing the customary authorities requested additional help from the volunteers to clean up also some corners of the village where, at times, the wind was blowing plastic bags and other garbage from the nearby national road. They happily complied after lunch break.
Congratulations for this worthwhile action!
World Ocean Day in Kribi, Cameroon
It all started long before 8 June with awareness raising among youngsters in Kribi on the coast and the capital Yaoundé. The Bénévoles de l'océan and Mundus maris are long-time allies in these efforts to engage people of all ages in ocean protection, particularly pupils and coastal populations.
With the support of the Délégation de l’éducation de base de l’océan the Bénévoles, led by the indefatigable Jeauberte Djamou, have conducted an awareness campaign in 10 schools in both cities throughout May 2019 to encourage pupils also to participate in the Mundus maris Awards contest to celebrate World Ocean Day.
A lot of time was also spent on sensitising different administrative units and private operators in the port area about the importance of moving forward on the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 "Life under Water" and its different links to other SDGs as an investment into ocean health and their own future viability.
The objective for next year is to overcome still widespread ignorance about the importance of the ocean for all our lives by reaching into 100 schools next year and how critical it is to fight against overfishing, plastic and other pollution and climate change!
On the day itself, some 150 pupils of the pilot schools in Kribi gathered in front of the Central School Complex.
During half an hour they chanted "Arrêtez ça, la pollution ..." (Stop this, stop this pollution!) a video clip by Vivien Akoa, prize winner in a previous edition of Mundus maris Awards.
They then got going towards the hall of festivities where some 12 traditional leaders were already waiting.
Everybody stood to attention when the national anthem was played. Then, the celebration proper could start with reading the Kribi Declaration.
Between comments and amendments it took a good hour until everyone of the traditional leaders had spoken and the Kribi Declaration for Ocean Protection was finally adopted.
The work ended with the handover of ocean passports to the traditional chiefs and the pupils. A family photo and a cocktail rounded off the programe.
This is the occasion to thank the mayor of Kribi who has enabled the celebrations to take this solemn form and who has carefully accompanied all preparations with advice and wise guidance. While he could not be present that day in person, he sent a representative.
Likewise the traditional chiefs of Kribi contributed much to the scale of the event. We thank them whole-heartedly for their support and hope to extend an even improved collaboration into the forthcoming years.
Our thanks also go to the Autonomous Port of Douala and the DPEI International for their interest in the World Ocean Day celebrations. We hope that the different public administrations concerned and the maritime companies in the port area will become more engaged with ocean protection and WOD activities in the future so as to ensure sustainability of ocean life and their own operations.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
World Ocean Day in coastal Ondo State, Nigeria, 13 June 2019
The 2019 Mundus maris asbl World Ocean Day (MM WOD) event was held, among others, in Ondo State, Nigeria between 13th and 14th June, 2019. The World Ocean Day (WOD) is an annual event celebrated globally. The Federal University of Technology, Akure is the host Institution celebrating this annual event. The Theme of this year WOD celebration is: “Women and Ocean”. A 2-Day event was slated for celebration. Day 1 event was held at the coastal areas of the State; Ilaje and Ese Odo Local Government Areas of Ondo State, Nigeria. Day 2 event was held at the premises of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria.
On 13th June, 2019 the Day 1 of the event featured: Seminar and coastal sanitation awareness in Ilaje and Ese Odo Local Government Areas of the State. A team of five members/facilitators from FUTA travelled for about 3 hours by road to Igbekebo, the Headquarter of Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, to meet women who were from various regions across the coastal areas of the State. These groups of women were informed by the Women Leaders in their constituencies. There were all gathered at around 10:00am.
Dr. Adeleke M. Lydia who led the team delivered a talk on coastal sanitation. She talked on the ways women could keep the ocean clean using tips summaries behind the OCEAN CLEAN acronyms. The lecture/talk was also interpreted in the local language of the participants by Dr. Bosede Akinwalere of the Department of Agricultural Extension Communication, Technology, FUTA. The questions and answer session was moderated by Mrs. Wole-Alo Felicia Akinwalere of the same Department, FUTA. Other members of the team were Mr. Osaigbovo Peter Osayanmen (Corp member of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, FUTA) and Mr. Ayo, Student Affairs, FUTA who was in charge of the camera/photographs and other logistics.
The coastal event was fully sponsored by Her Excellency, the First Lady, Ondo State, Nigeria, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu. One of her passions for the State is the total well-being of women and girl children. Eighty-six (86) women were in attendance. These women were organised and receptive. All their questions were answered and recommendations were stated. The coastal women who participated promised to start the ocean sanitation in earnest and propagate the lesson learnt to their neighbours who were not in attendance. They look forward to future collaborations and projects with Mundus maris asbl. The meeting came to a close at around 2:00 pm with light refreshments and Group photographs.
Group photo of the key organisers from FUTA and from Ilaje and Ese Odo Local Government Areas of Ondo State
World Ocean Day at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, 14 June 2019
The Day 2 event started with a courtesy call to the Vice Chancellor and a welcoming event for the First Lady of Ondo State, Her Excellency, Arabinrin Betty-Anyanwu Akeredolu. All the principal officers and invited guests present were introduced and welcomed as well. Thereafter, the event was moved into the Hill-Top Auditorium, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). The Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Professor J A. Fuwape declared the event opened.
In his opening speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. J.A. Fuwape, accentuated on the importance of ocean conservation and its enormous benefits to humankind. He said “it is only proper to conserve our ocean in order to save and serve the future generations”. He further expressed the need to be aware/conscious of the importance of the ocean to our daily survival and take notes of our actions as they directly and indirectly have effect on the ocean.
The chairman of the occasion, Professor O.A. Fagbenro of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, FUTA, warmly welcomed everyone present at the occasion. In his speech, he pointed to the fact that, the livelihood of the fishing community rests with womenfolk and they must ensure that the ocean is not over-exploited.
This year Goodwill message from Mundus maris asbl headquarter in Brussels was delivered by Dr. Adeleke M. Lydia of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, FUTA. She brought greetings from the President of the organisation, Dr. Cornelia E. Nauen, and the Vice President, Professor Stella Williams, and all other members of the Mundus maris asbl team. She highlighted the great effort of hundreds of researchers collaborating around the world to assess the state of biodiversity on the planet (IPBES Report 2019). The verdict of the researchers is that humans have produced so much waste that as many as one million out of estimated eight million species of life on the planet on the land and the ocean are now suffering from poor health or are even threatened by extinction. This is why each year for World Ocean’s Day, people are invited to reflect and work on the UN motto for the Ocean. “This year is all about the equality of rights of women and girls and how we are all connected to the ocean”.
She also pointed to the programme pamphlet with the five tips for protecting the ocean.
The Akure Core Team with pupils of FUTA Staff School posing at the event
The wife of the Governor of Ondo State, Arabirin Betty Anyanwu- Akeredolu, delivered the 2019 Mundus maris keynote address for the World Oceans Day celebration with the theme, “Women and Ocean”. In collaboration with the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria, she called on all stakeholders, especially the women folk, to develop a proper waste disposal culture as part of efforts to restore the health of the ocean. She expressed concern at the gender inequality as experienced in most parts of the world and encouraged women to be more proactive and engage in ocean protection and sustainable use, especially as they are major practitioners in the fishing sector. The first lady further explained that, the ocean has been degraded due to plastic pollution which finds its way to the ocean via rivers and floods as a result of poor waste disposal practices. She said plastic pollution is the greatest threat to the ocean’s resources adversely affecting aquatic life. The wife of the Governor said so many of the ocean’s resources are scarce due to activities of pollution and overfishing. She pointed out that about 8 million tons of plastics enter the sea every year and at that rate, the world faces a future of “an ocean of more plastics than fish”.
Arabirin Anyanwu Akeredolu, while lauding the role of women in aquaculture, said women earn approximately 64% of men's wages for the same work. She took us through the fact that she also had her first degree in Zoology, second degree in Fisheries and Aquaculture and is now working on her MPhil/PhD in public health. She was formerly with Federal Department of Fisheries and has contributed immensely to the growth of the fisheries sector in Nigeria. She is still contributing as an active commercial fish farmer. She warned that most of the livelihood of women along the coastal areas depends on the ocean and therefore, a proper action plan must be put in place to arrest the degradation. Emphasising the role of women in conserving the ocean, she said women had an important role to play as they are in charge of waste disposal from the kitchens. She outlined plans including measures for awareness creation, geological surveys, public education, promoting personal responsibility, corporate action and government regulations. She said concerted efforts must be made to save the ocean from further pollution as all of life is connected to the ocean, and benefits gotten from it are immense including food, herbs and even tourism.
She expressed her willingness to become active with Mundus maris asbl by becoming a member; she sent representatives last year Mundus maris WOD celebration, but came in person this year.
The Provost of Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology gave a goodwill message and motivated everyone there to find their place in management of the largest natural resource on earth. Different career opportunities around the ocean were highlighted and the young minds, especially the girls, were encouraged to pick up a career in different ocean-related areas while also encouraging researchers present to always making visible the roles of all gender groups in ocean-related activities. The provost in person of Captain Dr. Abiodun Sule was ably represented by Abiodun-Solanke AyoJesutomi who is also the coordinator of Mundus maris in Lagos and environ.
The Quiz competition session was moderated by Dr. B.O. Akinwalere (Department of Agricultural Extension Communication, Technology, FUTA). Petit Monde Bilingual School, Akure presented a short drama in French Language, this was later interpreted by the Proprietress. The Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS) (FUTA) also made their presentations on their Society activities around the ocean. This group was led by Ms. Amaku Nancy Chioma. The Women Invest Group (WIG), Akure, led by their group leader Mrs. T Y. Olatunji, turned out en masse for the event. Three hundred (300) participants from the Staff Secondary School, FUTA were led by Sir Anthony Ikuyinminu (Principal), Mrs. Adekambi F.M. (Vice Principal). Mr. Ajayi C.B. and Mr. Ajakaye O.A. to grace the occasion. Honorary Diploma Certificates of Participation were presented to the participants of the Mundus maris Awards contest for WOD 2019. Most of the awardees were students of the Staff Secondary School, FUTA. Answers can be found here.
Some other notable women such as Professor T.T Bolu, Director of the Centre for Gender in Sciences and Technology (CEGIST), Prof. E.A. Adeparusi (Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, FUTA) also pronounced wise words for mainstreaming gender awareness into all we do whilst also encouraging the young ones to be more engaged. The event came to a close at around 1:30pm with some 300 participants in attendance and some University Principal Officers (DVCA - Prof. Ogunsemi, DVCD - Prof. P. Oguntunde, University Librarian, Dean SAAT - Prof. T.T. Amos, Dean Students’ Affairs - Prof. G.E. Onibi, and HOD Marine Science Technology - Dr. Oladapo), The Ondo State Commissioner of Women Affairs (Mrs. Titilola Adeyemi), members of press FUTA and Ondo State, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Ondo State Radio and Television Corporation, FUTA Radio, Members of the public and Her Excellency entourage. The event was closed with group photographs.
VIPs and members of the organising committee pose at the end of the celebrations.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) was composed of Dr. O. K Gbadamosi, Dr. A.A. Adeledun, Dr. Olawusi-Peters, Dr. M.L. Adeleke and Prof. O.A. Fagbenro (Chairman).
Prize ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, 24 July 2019
The event took place in the Multi Media Hall at the Centre of Excellence of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). It started at 11.30am with the introduction of guests of honour and main organisers.
These were Prof Chukwu, the UNILAG Director of Academic Planning as the host, Mrs Mgbeoma Kuye, the Public Relation Officer of African Women Fish Processors and Traders (AWFISHNET), Mr Kehinde Laniyan from the Registrar's Office of Yaba College of Technology, Mrs Willoughby coordinating a robotics group, Dr Jumoke Akiode partnering with Mundus maris, Mrs Elizabeth Mangai of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT), Adeola Ayano of Bells University, AyoJesutomi Abiodun-Solanke of FCFMT and Coordinator of Mundus maris Lagos, a Representative of Prof Asuquo of University of Calabar, Mrs Afolabi of Yaba Technology, Prof Stella Williams, the Vice President of Mundus maris asbl and Mr Adeshola Kukoyi of UNILAG.
The guests were invited to the high table and the second stanza of the National Anthem was rendered as the opening prayer. The opening remark was given by Mr Kukoyi after which the Dance group from UNILAG made a performance to depict the UN theme of the year with drama.
Prof Chukwu took to the stage afterwards and he gave a great keynote address on Women and the Ocean. He took the audience through the roles of women in ocean related activities and encouraged listeners on what steps can be taken individually and collectively to promote ocean sustainability. This should be done in a way that does justice to the different social roles of women and men.
He led the audience to recite a pledge to contribute their quota to promote ocean sustainability after his address.
A Goodwill message from Mundus maris asbl headquarter in Brussels delivered by Dr. Cornelia Nauen, the President of the non-profit, was shown to the audience. She encouraged listeners to contribute their share to promote the organisation's goals of ocean protection and more generally towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). She pointed out that we are all connected to the ocean.
The certificates of participation for all supporters and encouragers of the Mundus maris Awards contest to celebrate World Ocean Day (8 June) were given out by different dignatories coordinated by Prof Williams.
Prizes were also given to winners of Mundus maris Awards selected by the international jury of the youth contest. Prof Williams coordinated the handing over of the recognitions as well. There were also acknowledgements for the winners of the gender quiz.
The team that won the group project, led by Feyisayo Adeleye, were also presented to the audience. In keeping with the “Gender and Ocean” motto of this year's World Ocean Day, the project aims at carrying out a Digital Gendered Fisheries Value Chain Analysis in Makoko, Lagos. The project team comprising also Otubanjo Temitope Oluwaseun, Adegbosin Omotayo Esther, and Usamot Hanifat was encouraged to do the work well and promptly.
The gathering ended after about two hours and the audience was spurred to keep up the enthusiasm and get practically involved with ocean protection and gendered analyses in the months up to the next World Ocean Day 2020.
Congratulations to all winner, participants and supporters! Ocean protection going from strength to strength.
Some of the participants in their Mundus maris t-shirts.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Family photo of the participants in the Prize giving ceremony at UNILAG
Prize ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria
A rainy day it was in Abuja on the 25th of July, 2019. But this could not stop the Mundus maris team, Professor Stella Williams and Mrs Zainab Suleiman, from dropping the planned awardee ceremonies.
The team arrived Cuddles Childminders and Schools, Lokogoma, to deliver the Shark Prize of €50 to Tolulope Adeleye. Rain or no rain, it was a happy day for all concerned and a just-in-time delivery before the long vacation time.
Mr Joseph, a teacher from the school and some pupils who were not engaged with special activities joined Tolulope for the receipt of the award and the photo shoot.
They then left for the two hours ride for the Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), Bwari, together with Tolulope Adeleye to deliver the award to the second awardee, Elizabeth Popoola.
The team received a welcome address from staff members of the school in the principal's office as it was the graduation ceremony for the outgoing students.
Following this, the Principal and Vice Principal (Academics) attended to the visitors, who were also greeted by Elizabeth's proud father, Segun Popoola.
During the course of the graduation party, Elizabeth Popoola was called forward and presented with her Turtle Prize (€100) by Prof. Stella Williams.
Speech and presentation all being made, a Mundus maris Club was launched in the school. It will work together with the Environmental Club as of the new school year under the supervision of Mr. Udom of GDSS, Bwari, and Tolulope Adeleye.
Congratulations to both winners in the capital area of Abuja, Nigeria!
After accomplishing the day's objectives, the team left GDSS, Bwari, satisfied.