March 23, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
Due to the recent developments of the COVID-19 virus pandemic, we understand that several of the schools across the nation are currently closed. Our office in Gloucester, Massachusetts also has restricted access to the general public and we have been encouraged to work from home.
Because we are not in the building, and we do not know when we will return, we can no longer accept any physical art entries this year. However, to keep the contest going and to encourage students to learn about marine endangered species while they are home, we will gladly accept any electronic pictures or scans of the students’ artwork for this year’s contest!
All students have to do is take a picture or scan their artwork and email it to edith.carson-supino@noaa.gov by no later than April 24. The revised art contest rules are located on our 2020 Marine Endangered Species Art Contest webpage.
Artwork should highlight one or more marine endangered or threatened species from the New England/Mid-Atlantic region. Text highlighting why the animals are important and what people can do to protect them may also be included. Younger students, in grades K-2, who may not understand the threats to endangered species (i.e., pollution, fishing, etc.) are encouraged to portray the animals in their natural habitat instead.