What is an Educational Marine Area?

The Foundations of EMA

“Knowing the coast and the sea”

Acquisition of scientific, empirical, and civic
knowledge on the natural and cultural heritage of the territory.

“Living the coast and the sea”

Experience a deep connection with the local marine environment through educational outings and interactions with those involved in
the sea to discover its significance and uses.

"Transmit"

Transmission of knowledge and responsibility of a common environment to
preserve.

Key Activities

What's Involved?

Discover and investigate, the environmental, cultural, and sociological importance of the selected site.
Creation of a Children’s Sea Council.
Meet the requirements of their curriculum while gaining real-world perspectives.
Develop critical, creative thinking and problem solving
Develop “eco-citizenship” and democratic concept.
Transmit to the community: exchanges and public restitution with elected actors (professionals, organisations, scientists, community members)
“Passing of the torch” to the next or continuing cohort of students.

Educational Marine Areas (EMA) is a pedagogical program that empowers school students to become custodians of a nearby stretch of coastline. By collaborating closely with coastal and marine stakeholders, cultural custodians, and users, the program fosters youth stewardship in marine conservation. Students engage in connecting, studying, and surveying their local coastal and marine environments as citizen-scientists to identifying threats (e.g., pollution, species loss etc). They meet with stakeholders to devise and vote on solutions through a “Children's Sea Council” and put these solutions into practice. The students share their findings and experiences with the community, inspiring further action and awareness.

The History of EMA

Born in the Marquesas Islands in 2012, the EMA concept is the fruit of the imagination of the children from the primary school of Vaitahu (Island of Tahuata). As they listened to scientists telling them about the immense richness of their marine environment, the students expressed their wish to become responsible for their own marine protected area in front of their school. Three years later, to strengthen the Polynesian network of educational marine areas and extend the approach to the national scale, a partnership was signed by the Minister of the Environment, Energy and the Sea, and the President of the government of French Polynesia. Today more than 1000 schools in France and its island territories are on board. Due to its increasing success EMA was singled out for praise at the recent United Nations summit for the Oceans.

The EMA program was developed and is now being promoted at the international level by the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) and the government of French Polynesia.

Long- term Objectives and Educational Aspects of an EMA

The establishment of an EMA has above all a pedagogical goal, combining theoretical and practical activities. The EMA project is a particularly effective support for transdisciplinary learning. This approach allows teachers to rely on the momentum of student engagement to set up teaching in different subjects: English, Science, Mathematics, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Languages, Health and Physical Education.

From this, an EMA is driven by three main objectives:

Train the youngest in eco-citizenship and sustainability,
Reconnect students to nature and their territory,
Promote dialogue between students, cultural custodians, local stakeholders, conservation managers, elected officials, scientists and the community.

Join us

Meet the Team

Marine Biologist & Educator/

Co-Founder of EMA Australia

Dr. Kim Lema

Kim is an internationally published marine scientist, co-chair of EMA Australia, and a registered teacher (with strong teaching experience at university, high school and primary levels). Kim has been involved in projects in Australia, the Caribbean, Indo-Pacific and the Persian Gulf and is now developing distinct projects that combine marine science and education, enabling students to tackle real problems involving the protection and management of our oceans. Her research career includes international fellowships in marine microbial ecology, working with diverse organisms and investigating their response to stress (e.g., climate change, pollution) using complex physiological, biochemical, genetic and environmental measurements. She is now excited to be working with the future stewards of our coasts and sharing some of her enthusiasm for STEM and the natural world.

Marine Ecologist & Conservation Manager/ Co-Founder of EMA Australia

Dr. Pierre Bouvais

Pierre is a marine ecologist with over 10 years’ experience working in the academic and private sectors. Pierre’s past roles have included work with the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site in New Caledonia, Resilient Reefs Initiative led by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, managing a Marine and Terrestrial Nature Reserve in Mayotte, and working in the Pacific and the Indian Oceans on issues related to marine conservation, integrated coastal zone management and climate change. Since relocating to WA, Pierre has been inspired by the strength of the coastal conservation communities, and quickly became a board member of the WA Landcare Network. Pierre has also been appointed as the chairperson for the Western Australia (WA) , Coastal and Marine Community Network (CMCN), and co-chair of EMA Australia.

Communications Officer

Amelia Warner

Amelia is a Graphic Designer with a decade of experience in visual communications and digital marketing across Australia and Europe.

Amelia also works as a Marketing and Communications Lead at a Sustainability Consultancy in Perth and is as an accredited User Interface designer. Amelia's combined knowledge in sustainability and design has enabled her to effectively communicate stories of positive change.