The Àros Na Mara committee is partnering with Cape Breton University to host the second annual World Oceans Day festival on June 4-5, 2016 in the Bras d'Or Lakes. CBU will provide technical support and demonstrations of marine life. The event will celebrate ocean science and the Bras d'Or ecosystem through exhibits, activities, and a forum called Bras d'Or TALKS. It aims to educate the public while promoting marine research and the University. The organizing committee is working with local communities and sponsors to deliver family entertainment throughout the weekend.

1. Feb 2, 2016 - for immediate release
Àros Na Mara teams with CBU to host World
Oceans Day 2016 at the Barra Strait
On the weekend of June 4 and 5, 2016, the second annual
Àros Na Mara World Oceans Day (WOD) festival will
celebrate the scientific and natural virtues of the Bras d'Or
Lakes in the heart of the UNESCO Biosphere.
The Àros Na Mara committee is pleased to be working with
Cape Breton University (CBU) to host the 2016 version
along the Barra Strait in the heart of Canada’s only inland
sea. The host team is supported by a strong group of
volunteers and partners to deliver great family fun while
experiencing and learning about science, research, and
education.
“ CBU will have key planning input for the technical
components of the festival. The Marine biology team will be
on site with its equipment, collecting and demonstrating live
marine specimens during the weekend” states Dr. Bruce
Hatcher of the CBU Bras d’Or Institute. “The World
Oceans Day Festival will promote the University as an
Institution to study and do research that reaches beyond
Sydney into the communities of Cape Breton. The event
supports CBU recruitment efforts by providing exposure of
potential students (and their parents) to the University’s
capabilities and programs.”
June 8 is officially designated World Oceans Day by the UN
as a global initiative with hundreds of events held in dozens
of countries, spreading the word about ocean issues that are
vital to a healthier future. Bringing this global effort to Cape
Breton relies on collaboration with Event Partners like the
Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association,
Municipality of Victoria County and Grand Narrows
Waterfront Development Society to help plan event
components and attract delegates, speakers and attendees.
The hugely successful 2015 first year event was tribute to
the efforts of local Community Partners on the front line and
behind the scenes. The list includes Baile nan Gàidheal |
Highland Village, Grandona Legion #124, St. Columba
Parish, Iona Volunteer Fire Department, Rankin School
of the Narrows, Iona Heights Inn and others.
The committee continues to build the relationships with
Event and Community Partners.
New for 2016, Bras d’Or TALKS, will provide a forum for
exploring the research and development potential of the
watershed ecosystem. As an entity within an entity (World
Oceans Day), Bras d’Or TALKS will help benchmark the
state of our understanding, as well as recommend actions
and approaches in the Biosphere. The TALKS are an
exercise in partner-building and ongoing collaboration.
. Àros na Mara Committee Lead Vince MacLean advises
“World Oceans Day provides inter-active marine-theme
displays and learning occasions for what’s happening
around, on, in and under the Lake’s surface, along with
enlivening accounts of just how, and in what fashion and
style, the Lake so proficiently mimics the world’s oceans.”
Àros Na Mara, Gaelic for House of the Sea, is an initiative
of Central Cape Breton Community Ventures Inc. It
reflects a long-standing dream to develop a marine science,
education and renewable energy facility at the Barra Strait
on the Bras d’Or Lake. The facility would take advantage of
the diverse natural attributes of the Lake and its watershed
to support marine research, education and tourism
initiatives. Through a MoA, Cape Breton University is a
stakeholder in the proposed development.
“While there are many challenges to advance a major
Research Centre development in today’s economic climate,
we will use World Oceans Day to demonstrate that science
is fun by building on the success of 2015 to deliver an event
that will entertain, educate, question and stimulate visitors of
all ages over the course of the June 4th and 5th weekend.”
states Randy Pointkoski, Àros na Mara Event coordinator.
“A weekend of festivities, fun and family oriented activities
will feature a local lobster dinner for Bras d’Or TALKS
delegates, Seafood Chowder at the Parish Hall and festival
food on the Wharf Sunday afternoon. These special events
are in addition to area mainstays like local Pub food, eat in
or takeout venue offerings, or the Friday Night Grandona
Legion Supper” said Murdell MacNeil, entertainment chair.
“Don’t forget, there will be live entertainment at local venues
throughout the weekend and at the wharf on Sunday.”
As a premier event for Central Cape Breton, the lineup for
Àros na Mara World Oceans Day has an incredible offering
for all who participate and attend the event.
World Oceans Day
Bras d’Or TALKS
Saturday June 4th
Bras d’Or Lakes and Watershed
Think Tank Forum
World Oceans Day
Sunday June 5th
Oceans Exhibition Hall at Parish Centre
and Family Wharf Activities at the Iona Port,
Kickoff Event and Dance
Featuring “Silvermoon”
Grandona Legion
Saturday, June 4th
With the WOD partnership program maturing, the organizing
committee is now focusing on the corporate sponsorship
program and implementation plans for various elements.
Community partners are planning their complimentary
events and activities.
Questions? Check our Facebook: Aros Na Mara -
World Oceans Day 2016; WorldOceansDay.org;
CentralCapeBreton.com or contact Randy Pointkoski
Rpointk@hotmail.com
Note to Editors: We thank you for your time and consideration in presenting our World Oceans Day message to your
respective audiences.