Ahead of World Oceans Day on 8 June, S.E.A. Aquarium today launched its first ever eco-festival – Ocean Fest! – which aims to raise awareness for ocean conservation. Highlights at the month-long festival include a marketplace showcasing ocean-friendly products, a plastic art installation, underwater performances, upcycling workshops, educational challenges and more. Ocean Fest! is available now till 24 June 2018.

In addition to the activities at Ocean Fest!, guests passionate about marine conservation can join Guardians of the S.E.A.A., the new conservation group of S.E.A. Aquarium that supports conservation research, education and public engagement efforts to protect the marine environment. During the month of June, Guardians of the S.E.A.A. members can take part in upcycling workshops, meet turtle specialist Mark Hamann in an intimate evening session to learn how technology can advance conservation efforts, and get invited to many exclusive events. For more information, visit www.rwsentosa.com/oceanfest
 
Guests exploring S.E.A. Aquarium’s first ocean eco-market showcasing more than 10 eco-friendly booths. The eco- market is organised in partnership with Terra SG – a social enterprise that advocates individuals to make positive environmental change. Items available for sale include reusable metal straws, woven bags, as well as organic beauty products free from microplastics that harm the ocean. The eco-market is available on weekends; no admission tickets are required.
 
Guests can look forward to catching a brand-new underwater show titled “Harmony’s Message”, which features freediving performances and an upbeat, original song for children to sing along while learning how to keep the ocean healthy. The show depicts how “Dupi”, a fictitious pink sea creature, that nearly gets entangled by “Plastic Pete”, a dark character symbolising plastic trash in the ocean. Dupi’s eventual rescue by freediver “Finn” alludes to how everyone can do their part to keep the oceans clean to prevent harm to marine life.
 
Six preschoolers from PPIS Child Development Centre showcased their creative flair in a fashion show in front of the Open Ocean Habitat. Their costumes were made entirely out of recycled materials. During the presentation, the students urged everyone to do their part to save marine animals and their homes.
 
Children from Eshkol Valley Preschool at the Ocean Lab, a new interactive zone that encourages children to take on the roles of crime scene investigators to find out what is harming marine life, from plastic trash found in stomachs of animals to tiny microbeads. Children can also review evidence and identify culprits to solve the cases of animal victims such as the shark and albatross, empowering them to take simple actions such as rejecting the use of plastic straws.

All image credit: Resorts World Sentosa