WHALE SHARK DAY, 26 MARCH 2009  

SEA manages whale shark tourism at Gladden Spit in Belize, with direct input from a whale shark working group made up of national stakeholders.

World Earth Day is April 22nd. Whale Shark Days are during the months of March to June, two days before and ten days after every full moon. Southern Environmental Association [SEA] with positive collaboration from Placencia Tourism Center, Placencia Tour Guides, schools, local businesses, friends and sponsors are proud to invite you to the second annual Whale Shark-Earth Day on Thursday March 26, 2009 in Placencia Village starting at 9:00 a.m.

Our goals and objectives are to foster support from local stakeholders in the protection and management of our Earth for years to come. To understand our roles as pioneers for the protection of the Mezo American Barrier Reef and its habitat and to protect one of the Worlds Largest Fish of the Sea known as the Whale Shark. Education is the key to success and we plan to share as much as possible

Under the aegis of Friends of Nature we began the first Whale Shark day last year and it was quite successful. This year under SEA, we are inviting more people to participate in the event. The intent of the second annual Whale Shark Day is to highlight Whale Sharks and conservation to the school children of our constituent communities, which include Hopkins, Sittee River, Seine Bight, Placencia, Independence, Monkey River, Punta Negra and Punta Gorda.

We seek to raise funds from the private sector to assist with some of our expenses such as fuel to transport school children across the lagoon from Independence to Placencia, and snacks such as bananas and oranges as well as funds that will assist in to provide a small lunch for each child. A special invitation has been sent to each school to allow for 50 children each to participate in the event. Each school that has confirmed their participation is asked to prepare a “skit” for competitive fun and then to visit each booth and learn from the presentations. It is both a fun day and also a learning day.

We hope you can join us this year and invite you to help sponsor the activities that day. Contributions can be placed at the SEA offices above Scotia Bank in Placencia or call Shannon at the SEA offices at 523-3377.