Marvellous marine days to dock in Portrush

This weekend the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is hosting three Marine Days at the Coastal Zone, Portrush.

The free family activities start at 12 noon and will run right through to 6pm each day.

The waves of visitors expected can take part in whale, dolphin and porpoise watching (weather permitting), bird watching, guided walks and seashore themed arts and crafts workshops. They will also enjoy being entertained by dancing sailors, a watery story teller, fishy face painters, Mr Whizzy in his frogman character, shows by the Great Mafiesto and listening to the Sea Shanties of The Beautiful Pearl and her swash buckling pirates.

Staff from NIEA Marine Conservation and Water Management teams will be on hand throughout the day to demonstrate some of their work. NIEA divers will beam images from an underwater camera via a live video link onto the shore, visitors will be able to see minibeasts and bugs through microscopes and there will be an impressive display of whale and dolphin bones, all of which have been found on the local beaches.

Looking forward to the event, John Cowan, Site Manager for the Portrush Coastal Zone, NIEA said: “We run this event to encourage the public to enjoy and appreciate our rich marine environment and to learn how to look after it. The Portrush area has a wonderful coastline and we want people to share the pride we at the NIEA have in it. So come along and enjoy a day or two of fun on the coast.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Marine Days run from 7 to 9 August 2009.

2. To find out about this call the Coastal Zone on tel. 028 7082 3600

3. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.