Port Saint John welcomes Indigenous-owned ocean conservation expedition vessel, Polar Prince

Saint John, NB – Throughout September, the Students on Ice (SOI) Foundation is on an ocean conservation expedition throughout Atlantic Canada and making a stopover at Port Saint John on Saturday, September 17th. The SOI foundation is bringing together diverse educational and research partners, Indigenous community representatives, artists, media and youth to provide a platform for those engaged ocean conservation work. This expedition will take place aboard the Polar Prince, an Indigenous-owned expedition vessel provided by Miawpukek-Horizon Maritime Services.“We are pleased to host the SOI Foundation and the expedition vessel Polar Prince.  Understanding the condition of our oceans to better conserve biodiversity is an important sustainable development goal and one which we at Port Saint John highly value.  The work of SOI contributes to achieving this important goal in an inclusive way,” says Paula Copeland, Vice President, Engagement & Sustainability at Port Saint John.To celebrate the visit of the Polar Prince, Port Saint John is planning and partnering on a few ocean conservation-themed events for the public and also making a charitable donation to the Students on Ice Foundation.“The Bay of Fundy is globally significant not only for its high tides, but also the diversity of marine life that it holds,” said SOI Foundation Founder & President Geoff Green. “We’re excited to work with local and national partners to showcase the area’s importance for ocean conservation, ocean literacy and a sustainable blue economy.”Ocean-themed events:Saturday, September 18^th – Marine Rope Mat Weaving Demonstration (free)Location: AREA 506 Waterfront Container VillageDetails: Join Sheena, owner of the BOATIQUE, and her friends from Fundy North Fishermen's Association as they demonstrate how to make rope mats using rope retrieved from the Bay of Fundy by the Fundy North Fishermen's Association Ghost Gear Retrieval Program. There will be rope mats for sale with all proceeds returned to the Ghost Gear program.Sunday, September 18^th- Screening of Last of the Right Whales film (free)Location: AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village (bring your own chair)Time: 2:00 pmDetails: Port Saint John and AREA506 have partnered to host a screening of the Last of the Right Whales, a local documentary about right whale conservation efforts. Danielle Dion, senior naturalist and marine biologist with the Quoddy Link Marine Whale Watching Vessel will be at the screening for a Q&A.Saturday, September 17^th & Sunday, September 18^th – Visit the Port Pod (free)Location: AREA 506 Waterfront Container VillageTime: 11:00 am -7:00 pmDetails: Visit the Port Pod container to learn about the port’s ocean conservation efforts and join in on an ocean-related craft with our Interpretation Guides.-30- Media contact: Jane Burchill, Communications & Sustainability Specialist, Port Saint John, (506)343-3707, jburchill@sjport.com