A new partnership between the Department of Fisheries and Woodside Petroleum is expected to enhance the study of the State’s marine environment.
Minister for Fisheries, Norman Moore said the partnership would give WA students and teachers better tools to study the marine environment.
Mr Moore said a social investment program would see the marine education manual and teachers’ kit provided to schools for free in an example of Government and private sector cooperation.
Partnership to assist students
“This collaboration will provide access to teaching tools developed specifically to improve marine education in WA,” he said.
Mr Moore said due to the State’s vast coastline it was important students understand WA’s marine environment to allow them to make informed decisions about future sustainable management.
“Woodside’s $300,000 support over two years means the marine education manual and teachers’ kit will be provided free-of-charge to every school in WA,” he said.
“This will allow consistency and quality of education in this specialist and important subject.
“Education is fundamental to understanding the issues facing our fisheries today and in the future.”
Executive Vice President of Woodside, Kevin Gallagher said that as a marine operator, Woodside and its workers understood and valued the diversity, complexity and beauty of the marine environment.
“For most Australians the marine environment, filled with all manner of life and energy, is an unknown world,” Mr Gallagher said.
“Our support and involvement with Marine Discovery West is a great fit.”
Marine Discovery West, the education arm of the Department of Fisheries, carries out programs for the approximately 385,000 students in more than 1,100 State Government and independent schools in WA’s metropolitan and regional areas.
Part one of the marine education manual (for primary schools) will be implemented in 2011 with Part two (for secondary schools) expected to be implemented in 2012.
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