Pollen Eixab
With climate change now more apparent, protecting our ecosystems has become more important than ever.
Thus, in efforts to create awareness to the importance of preserving the ocean and life within, marine scientist Dr Victoria Ndinelago Erasmus (36) wrote a children’s book titled ‘Little Monkfish Makes a Wish’.
‘Little Monkfish Makes a Wish’ tells the story of a curious fish living at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean – a place filled with many wonders and creatures. The young fish’s home, however, faces troubles caused by human activity, leaving him wishing for a different life.
In this endearing tale, Erasmus explores the reality of how human beings have a direct impact on marine life.
“This book brings awareness to the value of the marine environment, and also talks about overfishing and plastic pollution among other threats facing the marine environment,” she told Youth Corner.
Serving as the operations manager for the Fisheries Observer Agency and having already written peer review academic work on the marine environment and its resources, Erasmus admitted that she felt a sense of responsibility to promote marine literacy.
She explained that her PhD project focused on the monkfish and while giving talks about that project, many people indicated that they were not aware of the monkfish, hence her crafting the book. Though initially finding it difficult to adapt her style of academic writing to accommodate children and all other audiences, Erasmus said this book addresses the challenge of the lack of locally published books, and is envisaged to promote a reading culture among Namibian children. She is currently in talks with the National Institute of Educational Development to have her book in Namibian schools to contribute to marine education.
“The Namibian education curriculum is limited in terms of marine education, despite the fact that marine resources contribute significantly to our economy.”
The book is set to be launched on 22 July at the Mondesa Community Library in Swakopmund.
Entrance is free and the book will be on sale at a promotional price of N$80 and N$95 afterwards. International readers can get it on Amazon through this link:
https://lnkd.in/dBEqtWuy