Sharks and mermaids spotted on beaches around the coast

Sharks and mermaids of all shapes and sizes have appeared on beaches in Dublin, Donegal, Galway, and Waterford over the last couple of weeks, as part of the Marine Institute’s Explorers Fin-Tastic Sharks and Mermaids Sculpture Challenge across Ireland, supporting the annual European Maritime Day (EMD) - In My Country events.

"The shark and mermaid sand and rock sculptures, embellished with shells and seaweed decorations, are inspired by the different sharks found in Irish waters, such as the Basking Shark with its incredible sized mouth, the thresher shark and its amazing tail, and the undulate skate with its beautiful markings,” remarked Dr Nóirín Burke, Explorers Education Programme team manager.

Lead by the Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme’s team, Ireland is among 31 countries supporting the EMD ‘In My Country events’ organised by the European Commission. Each year, EMD is celebrated around mid-May to raise awareness about the seas and oceans and their importance to our environment, economy and culture.

The sculptures were built by hundreds of children, families and friends in Sandycove Dublin, White Strand Malin Head in Donegal, and Grattan Beach in Galway.

The Explorers team celebrated Ireland’s marine biodiversity and raised awareness about the seashore by exploring rockpools, doing seashore walks and completing a litter pick challenge.  Among the species found, the children found crabs, anemones, fish and lots of limpets and sea snails.  

Among these treasures, a juvenile European eel was also observed on Grattan beach in Galway.  Gary Kendellen from Galway Atlantaquaria, found the eel hiding amongst the seaweed in a rockpool. This was a very special find to share with the children, as European eels are critically endangered and are also protected in Ireland. The numbers of juvenile eels reaching the coast have declined dramatically in recent years,” explained Sibéal Regan, Explorer Education Programme outreach officer. 

Sharks, skates and rays are some of the most threatened species in the world. In Ireland, marine scientists work with fishers and local communities to learn about local sightings of sharks and skates which is key to helping with their conservation.  Much of the research has found that Irish waters are a perfect refuge for many shark, skate and ray species, such as the basking shark and the common stingray.  The angel shark and white skate can also be found in Irish waters – particularly near sheltered areas such as Galway Bay and Tralee Bay in Kerry.  

"We were delighted to have with us Brid O’Connor from Purse Search Ireland which is a nationwide citizen science project that searches for sharks and skates egg cases. Finding and reporting these cases on the seashore helps the Purse Search team to collate valuable information on the location of the animals’ nursery areas in Irish waters.

“Many of these species are slow growing, late to mature, and produce few young.  Humans can also have a negative impact on these animals, from pollution, climate change and human disturbance.

“This information is therefore crucial for effective conservation, management and protection of vulnerable species, and also helps support marine scientists and researchers to establish their status in Irish waters," Nóirín added.

The Explorers EMD – In My Country events further celebrated the recent publication of its Explorers Fin-Tastic Sharks+ resources that includes: An Introduction to Elasmobranch for Children and the new Mermaid’s Purse Identification Key.  These resources are freely available to download from www.explorers.ie and are suitable for introducing cross curricular content in the classroom as themed projects.    

The Explorers Education Programme is funded by the Marine Institute and is managed by Camden Education and Galway Atlantaquaria.  

ENDS

For more information, please contact:
Cushla Dromgool-Regan
Strategic Education and Communications Manager
(Marine Institute's Explorers Education Programme)
Mobile: + 353 (0) 87 9185519
Email: cushla.dromgoolregan@thecamdentrust.org
Website: www.explorers.ie

Further Information:

The Explorers Fin-Tastic Sharks and Mermaids Sculpture challenge held as part of the European Maritime Day (EMD) - In My Country events in Ireland included Mona McCrea, Seashore Kids; Brid O’Connor, Purse Search Ireland; Jai Tuohy, Oceanics Surf School and Education Centre; Jane Sharp, Sea Synergy, Gillian Wheatley, Nóirín Burke, Sibeal Regan, Garry Kendallen, Galway Atlantaquaria and William McElhinney, Leave no Trace Ireland.

Photographs:

GRATTAN BEACH - GALWAY:

Photo 1: Galway kids join Sibéal Regan from the Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme, on a mermaid purse hunt as part of European Maritime Day - In My Country celebrations. Photo Cushla Dromgool-Regan

MALIN HEAD - DONEGAL:

Photo 2: Celebrating European Maritime Day – In My Country, children and families from Donegal create some Fin-Tastic Shark sculptures on White Strand Malin Head while learning about sharks and seaweeds around Ireland, with William McElhinney, Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme.