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2018 Roadshows...Isle of Man for The Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch Show

In February , Sat 10th & Sun 11th, we returned to the Isle of Man, in the middle of the Irish Sea, to provide some life-sized marine wildlife models for the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch Show.

see the MWDW website   http://www.mwdw.net/          

see the flyer on the  show   http://www.mwdw.net/manx-whale-and-dolphin-watch-show/          

and their facebook page   https://www.facebook.com/ManxWhaleandDolphinWatch/

This show was unbelievably well attended, with over 1000 people each day over the weekend show, over 2000 in total,  thats 2.5% of the island's population, a fantastic turn-out ! Well done the team at Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch, all their volunteers, and the Manx public for responding. The Whale Workshop was very pleased to be part of this successful event. The Isle of Man is the latest signatory to the ASCOBANS agreement, and we featured lots of info on this important small cetacean conservation treaty.

This event is an excellent example of how to engage the public with their local wildlife scene, by

  • having a strong team of project leaders and some keen volunteers
  • having a strategy to raise awareness of and safeguard the wellbeing of the wildlife population
  • having a good plan for a public event, with lots of publicity, at the right venue and time of year, and keep it simple and achievable
  • following this public event with a school outreach, lots of online resources, and further opportunities for involvement as the year progresses.
  • keeping the public informed, engaged, involved, and they will become proud of their wildlife heritage and protect it

The Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch team have ticked all the boxes with this event, and can only gain in strength through the massive public response this event produced.

The Whale Workshop was pleased to return to this Island to be part of this effort, and we say well done to all who were involved

Click on pictures below to enlarge

 

At the venue, The Villa Marina on Douglas promenade, final preparations at the "tea and cakes" area before we open on Saturday morning
A large area for colouring and origami as well as lots of life-sized marine wildlife models
....Minke Whale and calf, a species often seen swimming by, and feeding on herring, outside the venue on Douglas promenade
Frequently seen are Risso's Dolphins and Grey Seals
The most common local cetacean is the Harbour Porpoise, which is also the smallest
Here Jen of MWDW holds a Porpoise in front of the extensive species info boards on display
ASCOBANS info and another Porpoise...lots of them here
The Isle of Man is the most recent signatory to the ASCOBANS agreement, to protect small cetaceans within the areas covered
Bottlenose Dolphin adult and juvenile, another species frequently seen, often in large numbers
A baby Minke, young Basking Shark and Leatherback Turtle
After 10am, and we are open, straight away its time for colouring and doing the Marine Quiz sheets
I spy a Whale, maybe !
This is FUN ! Great events always have something for the kids to do with the adults.
Lots of info boards on local marine wildlife, and the survey work done by MWDW
Bones from local species inside their protective cases

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