Stitchin' fish is a project celebrating the beauty, diversity and fragility of our Northwest Atlantic seafloor. For the past month, we have been seeking submissions of crafted sea creatures for a knitted, crocheted, quilted and otherwise handicrafted seafloor diorama. Submissions so far have been pretty amazing - including a flounder, a dumbo octopus, a sea mouse, sponges and corals. We are tracking submissions, sharing patterns, and communicating a wish-list of creatures on a blog: http://eacstitchinfish.blogspot.com.

The beginning of a crafted sea floor is now on display in the aquarium-like shop window of the Loop Craft Café on Barrington Street (http://theloophalifax.ca). It will grow as submissions come in. The Loop was an ideal partner for this project, as co-owner Cathy Merriman has an enthusiastic background in marine science and conservation working at WWF Canada.

The big day for the display happens on the Halifax waterfront on June 6th, where will be a large World Ocean Day celebration involving over a hundred governmental and non-governmental organizations. Our inimitable and beautiful crafted sea floor will be there, accompanied by information and advocacy materials.

In Atlantic Canada, we carry the history of the largest single species collapse in the marine environment. However, because marine ecosystem damage happens "out of sight" and therefore "out of mind" for most people, it is difficult to grasp. Most of us know more about the surface of the moon than that of deep sea habitats and creatures. At the Ecology Action Centre, we feel that part of the solution is finding ways to engender a connection between our terrestrial mindsets and the fascinating but unfamiliar marine world. The EAC "Stitchin' Fish” project is one attempt to help "knit" such a relationship.

Drop off submissions at The Loop Craft Cafe:
1547 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS

or mail submissions to the EAC office at:
2705 Fern Lane
Halifax, NS
B3K 1T1

Invite your fellow friends and crafters!