Eco Tourism - Social Studies

What is Eco-Tourism? 

Eco-tourism is responsible for traveling to natural areas that conserve the environment. Tourism directed to the exotic frequently threatened natural environment, intended to support the conservation efforts and observe the wildlife. Eco-tourism also minimizes the impact of tourism on the environment, meaning that it boosts financial and employment probabilities for the local people. Eco-tourism is valued since it helps preserve the most beautiful natural surroundings on Earth. Though Eco-tourism is valid, there are still some disadvantages that come with it. Like natural resources being overused and destroyed by making souvenirs. 

Why is Eco-Tourism a growing trend?

Eco-tourism is a growing trend since it doesn't only positively impact the environment but also the locals. Like said earlier, it opens a lot of jobs and financial opportunities for the local people. These would provide them with a lot of benefits and helps them improve their lives. It impacts the environment around them positively; It advances the awareness of protecting the natural habitats and intact environments. This means that different communities around the world would be able to build resources without having to do something that could cause harm to the environment. These could increase tourists counts, them being able to explore the untouched, natural environment. 

How does eco-tourism help our oceans? 

Eco-tourism is a tool to increase the ecological concerns of the locals, meaning that eco-tourism is a valuable way of spreading awareness and creating positive changes in biodiversity; Specifically marine preservation. 

Sustainable Fishing - Social Studies

Let us talk about sustainable fishing nowadays. It is pretty difficult to catch fish sustainably, especially now that we have modern ways to do so. Methods like long lining and purse seining. Though it is not the most sustainable way, it surely is the easiest. Being able to harvest fish sustainably is very important since the ocean's circle of life depends on it. Taking too much of a specific kind of fish or marine life could cause other kinds to overpopulate. Let's go back to one of the modern methods, longlining. Like I said this method is one of the easiest because all you have to do is attach a long line at the back of your boat with hundreds of hooks attached to it. Now from what it sounds, it is not as sustainable. Doing this could result from you catching different species, not the ones you are after. That is called "By-catch". By-catch is marine species, caught by accident. Common ones are whales and dolphins; Affecting them very negatively, especially when they are already in danger of extinction. 

 

One sustainable way of fishing is Spear Fishing. This method is known worldwide and is also used for millennia. This is the most sustainable method since you have to use your own mental and physical strength. You have to target a specific type of marine species and not just go out, throwing spears at random ones. This is also sustainable since you don't ruin the environment. You don't just leave spears around. 

How is commercial fishing a threat to dolphins and birdlife (by-catch)?

Talking about dolphins, they have been severely affected since over 300,000 dolphins are killed EACH year as by-catch. The same goes for birdlife. They get caught by diving for bait then end up getting hooked. 

"Kasunduan" - English Short Film

 In English, we have been spending the past 4 weeks making a short film. The short film that we made was inspired by the film we learned about at the start of this term, The Merchant of Venice. In the four weeks, we had to do the outline of the plot, where the scenes were going to take place, and the costume we had to wear. The film we made was a retelling of another film that we learned about from the previous term, The Merchant Venice. The scene that we recreated was the court scene, where Shylock was ready to take the one pound of flesh from Antonio after not being able to follow what was written in the treaty. 

We made the remake that two sisters signed a contract where Shiela had to kill her husband and children for her sister. The other sister, Skyler, wanted Shiela to do that because Shiela's husband is not rich and the complete opposite of her. He brings disgrace to their family name. They both decided to talk to their Father, demanding that the agreement should be done and settled. With their Father around them, they were too scared to argue since they still have to be respectful when their Father is around. Skyler showed their Father the evidence of the agreement. Her father agreed to it and Shiela tried to fight back. Father asked his right hand to give him the gun, which he then gave to Shiela. Shiela had to choose between her life or her family's life. Shiela stood up, pointed the gun on her head, ready to pull the trigger. Knowing that when she takes her life, Skyler will kill her family. Her sister started teasing her, telling her to hurry up and pull the trigger already. Shiela suddenly pointed the gun at Skyler then, she pulled the trigger. After Skyler got shot, their father approached Shiela, telling her that she has one day to run away and hide. 

In the film that we made, we used a lot of different camera shots and angles that were provided but we had to add in two more extra. The extra ones that we put into the film are "Over the Shoulder shot" and "Eye level".

Wananga Reflection - Matariki

 For today's lesson in Wananga, we learned about the Matariki. What the 9 stars of Matariki are and what they all mean. We watched a video explaining the Matariki in detail and the meaning behind it. 

The names of the nine stars:

Matariki

Tupuārangi

Waipuna-ā-Rangi

Waitī, Tupuānuku

Ururangi

Waitā

Pōhutukawa

Hiwa-i-te-Rangi.

The Story Of Matariki

In the beginning of time, there was nothing, no earth, sea, or sky just, Te pō,  darkness. In this Te Kore, nothingness, Ranginui the sky father and Papatūānuku the earth mother came to be. They lay together in a tight embrace. Together, they had many children who were all male. The sons lived between them in the darkness. As the children grew up, they wondered what it would be like to live in the light. Tūmatauenga, the fiercest of all the sons, shouted to his brothers, “Let’s kill them!”  The brothers disagreed. Tānemahuta, the god of the forests and birds, had a solution to the problem, “We will push them apart, Ranginui will be in the sky above us and Papatūānuku will stay below us so she remains close.”ongomātāne, the god of cultivated food, tried to push his parents apart. He pushed and pushed with no success. Then Tangaroa, the god of the sea, and Haumia-tike tike, the god of wild food joined him. Together they pushed and pushed but still, their parents would not let go of each other.Eventually, Tāne tried. He placed his shoulders on his mother and his feet on his father and pushed hard for a very long time. Rangi and Papa called out in distress, “Why are you doing this?” 

“Please don’t separate us.”  Tāne continued to push with his strong legs, until finally Rangi and Papa were prised apart.The children were excited to finally have light and space to move. Tāwhirimātea, the god of the wind, was angry about the separation. He could not stand to hear his parents in pain, or to see the tears coming from Ranginui.Tāwhirimātea was so angry that in a rage he threw his eyes up into the sky. 

His eyes are now known as the stars of Matariki.

Wellbeing

 For the past few weeks in Wananga, we have been doing reflections on the three factors in our life that we want to improve. The three factors that I chose were Friendships, School, and Culture. The factor that has improved the most in my opinion was school. I was able to achieve accomplishments that I wasn't able to do. I also feel proud since I can now focus on my work better and not get easily distracted.   

Shark Finning - Social Studies

 What is Shark Finning?

Shark Finning is a terrible act of removing fins from sharks which are then sold. After removing the fins, the shark will then be thrown back into the water. Being unable to swim due to losing their fins, they would then eventually descend onto the bottom of the ocean, dying slowly and painfully. 

Shark Finning is not only a horrendous act but it also makes a big impact on the economy and environment. It is also one of the main reason why shark's population decrease over time. With that being said, it will be hard for them to also reproduce since sharks have a really low reproductive system. Adding into that information, 73 million sharks are being killed each year just for their fins which is very wrong. 

What is "Shark Fin Soup"? 

Shark fin soup is a Chinese delicacy that was stated to be made 1000 years ago. The ability to be able to eat this rare delicacy can change the privileges you have and also your social standings. If being honest, this dish does not have any taste in it nor any nutritional value. Beef stock or chicken stock are added to the dish to make it have flavor and actually taste like something.