On a warm day, there is nowhere better than the sea/moana. The moana has long been a part of the Kiwi culture; bring the sun or a decent swell, and the beach will be rhythmic with energy.
In Dunedin Ōtepoti, it is not uncommon to see surfers carving up the waves (potentially in competition with an enthusiastic New Zealand sea lion/pakake); people harvesting seafood/kaimoana; children building sandcastles nearly as nice as Larnach Castle; adults indulging in the scenery with a coffee or Patti’s & Cream ice-cream; dogs tongues lolling in the wind as they walk with their owners; and sea gulls begging to share your kai.
This Seaweek, let’s celebrate the many simple pleasures that the moana brings us. Seaweek began over 30 years ago, to encourage people to connect and care for the moana. When the moana thrives, we thrive.
Did you know? At least 50% of the oxygen we breath is produced by the moana. As the Earth/Papatūānuku warms, the moana distributes heat energy across the planet – sending heat toward the polar regions and cooling tropical regions. The moana is not just the lungs of the planet, but the largest carbon sink – absorbing at least 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions.
Simple ways you can protect the moana is to respect fishing regulations, harvest kaimoana using sustainable methods, take all rubbish away with you, use ocean-safe sunscreens, and switch to plastic-free alternative products.
Photo: New Zealand sea lion pup by Kimball Chen.