Mary Hutchinson pupils learn about humans and the ocean

The Ashton Multi-purpose Cooperative (AMCO) is a registered cooperative on Union Island. It cultivates, processes and sells seamoss products under the mission statement: “To Promote Socio-economic Development, Community Participation, Health and Wellness amongst the residents of Union Island and the Wider Caribbean”.{{more}}

On November 29, 2010, AMCO kicked off its environmental awareness campaign with a presentation at the Marry Hutchinson Primary School on Union Island entitled “Human and the Ocean”.

This presentation is the first of a series of presentations that will be conducted at the primary and secondary schools on the Island. The primary objective of this initiative is to “To improve our youths’ understanding and appreciation of the connection between human and the marine environment in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as St. Vincent and the Grenadines”.

The visit included two Powerpoint presentations, the first of which highlighted the importance of the ocean to the health and wellness of the Vincentian population, with regard to our food and economic security. It also outlined some of the most prominent threats to the ocean within the SVG context and made some suggestions of actions that could be taken by the students and staff of institutions to preserve the marine environment.

The second presentation focused on the process of organic seamoss farming, which is the main activity undertaken by AMCO. The school visit culminated with the signing of a pledge by students and staff to make the marine environment a “Pollution Free Zone”.