Exhibit of aquatic species at risk on P.E.I. 'really great opportunity' to learn

A new exhibit at the Greenwich Interpretation Centre in eastern P.E.I. has opened to educate Islanders on aquatic species at risk.

The display includes models of species such as white shark, Atlantic wolffish and leatherback turtle.

Because they aren't well-known to most Islanders, the display will educate people of all ages about the species, said Kim Gamble, resource conservation manager for P.E.I. National Park.

"These are species that you don't see often. It's a really great opportunity for not only our staff, but visitors to P.E.I. to learn more about these aquatic species at risk that are so special to the waters and to the Island," she said.

The project was supported by P.E.I. National Park in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Ingenium, Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation.

Gamble said the display is part of a larger project with P.E.I. National Park. 

"We're working on a multi-species action plan which works toward our commitments to species at risk and other species of conservation concern," she said.

"It's really great to give exposure to some of those lesser-known species that we're trying to protect for the future."

Doug Morse is the artist behind the animal sculptures. He said he's thrilled with the results. 

"I've impressed myself, to say the least. It's been a lot of work, but I've enjoyed every minute of it," he said.

He based his work on photos from all angles for each of the species. He used a combination of metal, foam, fibreglass and wood materials. The pieces took around 6 to 8 months each to complete.

Morse said he tried to capture the animals in their natural state.

"That's what I try to do in all the models, is have it as though they're swimming and not dead, flat, laid out on a beach. I like to get the motion into the model," he said.

The goal is to not only raise awareness about these species, but to help protect them, said Rebecca Hickey, director of communications and marketing at Ingenium.

"We're really trying to communicate the message about species at risk in Atlantic Canada to boost public knowledge about these species and help people learn what they can do to help," she said.

There's a couple of different ways Islanders can do that. 

A page on Ingenium's website offers a series of YouTube videos, classroom resources for teachers and posters with information about some endangered species to help educate a variety of ages.

Hickey said there's action that can be taken to help these targeted species too.

"Little things that we can do such as ensuring that we're not littering, not leaving plastics on our beaches, or if you see these species, notifying the appropriate bodies," she said. 

She hopes the display will invoke change in how Islanders care for their aquatic species, she said.

"We hope that when visitors come to the centre, they learn a lot, but they're also inspired."

The exhibit is now open and will remain open for a couple of years.