A year ago I had one of the biggest surprises together with my daughter Gabriela. It was through this simple conversation that I really understood the ability that children have to absorb information, soaking up all the things that happen around them.
Gabriela has been regularly exposed to the terms and images related to the albatross, marine fisheries and the topic of seabird bycatch. In her own way she has developed a simple but clear understanding of the key elements involved with this aspect of marine biodiversity. Nevertheless, most Chileans know relatively little about the albatross and, of course, almost nothing of the threats these birds face.
As a great follower of the arts, Gabriela prepares a daily present for me to my delight. It is wonderful to find amongst the butterflies, trees and other typical children’s drawings, the guest appearance of the occasional image of marine life.
Through these drawings I have detected how our children can perceive and consider a deeper understanding of the ocean and marine life. A good example is a recent picture from my daughter which indicated she had grasped there were more than the two species of albatross that breed in Chile. She presented me with a drawing of the sooty albatross, which according to the author is sat on its nest with a young chick looking over the nearby cliffs.
Below: Gabriela’s portrait of the sooty albatross
Through the Albatross Task Force, we are always looking to include education and awareness as a key part of our work. Even so, it is always an impressive experience trying to share the phenomenon of a global issue with younger audiences and develop an understanding and interest in such topics.
Each year, Chile the month of May is considered as the month of the sea. During this period we celebrate its biodiversity and the people who work with the ocean to recognise our natural heritage. However, throughout the year we Chileans are in constant contact with the sea, its aromas, sights and sounds developing a collective knowledge of certain invertebrates, algae and a few species of fish.
As part of this learning experience, I responded to a simple but far-reaching question from Gabriela: “Why don’t we speak to more children about the albatross, because they don’t know about it”.
And so I decided to get in contact with the teachers from my daughters class and offered to give a short talk on seabirds, the sea and what we can do to look after them in our lives.
Below: Martina and Martín, two of Gabriela’s friends learning about albatross in Chile.
That is how, on a cold winters day, I found myself in the classroom talking about my work with the Albatross Task Force. Having spoken about our planet, the giant oceans which form our world and the bravery of the great albatross to live through storms I felt an overwhelming joy to see the interest in the eyes of the children, their inspired questions and special declarations for nature.
Finally, I completed my commitment to share the conversations I have had for a long time with Gabriela with her friends. How such amazing birds as the albatross inspire strength and freedom. I also managed to explain the threats these marvellous marine birds face, and the responsibility that we have as humans to reduce their deaths. We spoke about evolution, ecology, bycatch and rubbish in the seas… just about everything.
Definitely, it is a pleasure when these simple efforts come good. However, it does make you think why these topics are not integrated into all educational curricula in our countries. While it was only a brief experience, it was a powerful reflection that our efforts in the ATF are on the right track. Working with seabirds is a special gift and my conversations with the children helped me to remember that.
I thank the warm welcome and attention from the children at my daughters school and to the teachers for supporting this, especially "Tias" Fabiola and Karina. In fact, this has been the first of a series of talks that I hope to give for children in other classes.
Above all, thanks to my Gabriela, for constantly helping me to take another step forward and growing as a person.