disturbance or commercial fishing, can have a huge positive effect.
We had to adapt to virtual learning. Taking advantage of the emptiness of the Le Hocq tidal gullies, Jersey Marine Conservation has been able to collect videos of the creatures in their natural environments, linking the film to classroom activities. Schools now encourage pupils to watch and make models, requiring basic mathematical, design and manufacturing skills.
to a natural rock pool as you can get without actually being at the beach. It contains filtered, temperature-controlled saltwater and provides living conditions for various marine species such as sea squirts, crabs, pipefish, chitons, anemones and starfish. The Butterfield Tank, on any one occasion in a school, can have upwards of 20 or more different animals. Some moving around, like the snake pipefish or prawn, while others, such as the Dorothy Anemone and leathery sea squirt, remain permanently attached to the rocks.
Going to the beach can be exciting, but finding all the creatures that can be seen in the Touch Tank would be almost impossible on just one trip. It also limits destruction to our local environment as large numbers of visitors turning over rocks can have its own detrimental impact. The Touch Tank design is also mobile enough to be moved around the island, bringing the marine environment to everyone. Pupils often eagerly ask questions about the creatures in the tank, how they interact, how they hide from each other, who eats who, how they breed and what makes each so important, in the maintenance of a balanced marine environment.
There is a lot more to this experience than just the Touch Tank, with an adjacent table, which looks like an exhibit from the Natural History Museum. Crab skeletons, cuttlebones, urchin balls, lobster claws, scallop shells, all come under the scrutiny of enquiring minds. It is such a rich learning opportunity, where key curriculum words and facts can be subtly introduced or reinforced.
There are 33 junior schools on the island and it is hoped that the Butterfield Marine Watch Touch Tank will be taken to all these schools to give children the opportunity to see and interact with creatures that live in the intertidal zone. It’s imperative that our children are able to develop a deeper understanding of the importance of local marine conservation.
Global pandemic However, in 2020, COVID-19 had a massive impact on everyday life, resulting in educational initiatives, like the Touch Tank, having to rethink our strategy. The Butterfield Marine Watch team had a full schedule, with many awaiting a visit. We were at Grainville School when impending closures were announced by the States of Jersey and while packing away the Tank that day, we had to think about how this would affect the planned visits.
On the other hand, COVID-19 has in many ways helped the marine environment and some marine creatures seem to be recovering their numbers. Just one breeding season without
When possible, the Butterfield Marine Watch team also take groups into reef areas – where social distancing can be maintained – to gather species and add them to the Bioblitz Tank nearby, so everyone can see how much diversity there is in these wonderful places.
Living on an island, we have an intrinsic link to the ocean. It influences our daily lives and we all have a responsibility to take care of it and we will continue to find ways to help our children appreciate how important our marine environment is, for our physical and mental well-being.
Key Dates
2 February 2021 – World Wetlands Day 8 June 2021 – World Oceans Day 26 September 2021 – World Rivers Day
Chris Isaacs, Kevin McIlwee, Gareth Jeffreys
Beyond 20/20 - Philanthropy
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