Connecting with our oceans is being celebrated this week, as it is annually.

Known as Seaweek, it is about inspiring all Kiwis to renew their connections with the sea, to better understand its habitats, characteristics and inhabitants, and how to care for them.

Topics raised and discussed during the week, which this year runs from March 6 -14, include understanding that up to 85 per cent of New Zealand wildlife could be in the ocean.

From Saturday, March 6, activities to engage kiwis in celebrating the sea are happening nationwide, from guided snorkel tours in marine reserves and driftwood carving competitions to film screenings and seminars on biodiversity, and community stream and beach clean ups.

Get the whole family involved in recording what you can see in ‘Citizen Science' projects, from shark sightings to the types of litter found on local beaches.

Plastic pollution has been firmly established as one of the greatest dangers to the marine environment, and what we see on the beach is only a fraction of the problem. Most marine pollution is already on the seafloor, an estimated 70 per cent of plastic pollution has sunk to the seabed 15 per cent is on the sea surface, a further 15 per cent is on the seashore.

'To hear first-hand inspiring stories of conservation, join us online on Monday March 8, at 7pm, for a Facebook Live conversation with Te Radar and guests Rob Lewis, Marine Scientist & Co-ordinator of the ‘Shark Spy' Project, Moana Tamaariki-Pohe, Community Leader & Environmental Enthusiast, and Charlie Thomas, Ocean Conservationist & Volunteer,” says Seaweek 2021 National Coordinator Sara Kullins,

To get involved and make a difference go to the Seaweek website to find what's on in your area https://www.seaweek.org.nz/whats-on