Plymouth’s National Marine Aquarium celebrates its 25th birthday in July having welcomed seven million visitors during that time.
Since it was established in 1998, the National Marine Aquarium has been at the forefront of the UK’s marine conservation industry, fostering wonder and promoting environmental stewardship. In that time it has entertained and informed millions of visitors including more than 600,000 schoolchildren. They have visited as part of either a school trip or educational visit, cementing the Aquarium’s place as a leader in marine education.
To mark the institution’s remarkable journey, a brand new permanent exhibit has been developed and installed overlooking the Aquarium’s iconic Eddystone Reef tank. Not only does this tank have the largest single viewing panel in the UK, it’s also home to a stunning array of local sharks, rays and many more ocean species.
The new exhibit is a fully immersive timeline display, which encapsulates the educational centre of excellence’s 25-year history and draws focus to the future with a dedicated section showcasing the work of the charity which run the National Marine Aquarium – the Ocean Conservation Trust.
Adjacent to the Eddystone Reef, visitors will also find a new-for-25-years temporary exhibit, telling the compelling stories of numerous individuals associated with the Ocean Conservation Trust and the National Marine Aquarium, offering a unique perspective on the human history behind the organisation over its time in existence.
Roger Maslin, chief executive of the National Marine Aquarium and Ocean Conservation Trust said:
“The Aquarium was an ambitious project from its inception 25 years ago and remains an incredible facility to this day. The Aquarium is hugely important to the community and we are so fortunate that we get the opportunity to introduce hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to the importance of the ocean and its inhabitants.
“For 25 years we have been driving Ocean conservation through a joyful mix of education and entertainment and long may that continue. Making this landmark is a huge achievement and we are enormously grateful to everyone who has been involved in our journey.”
2023 will also see the Ocean Conservation Trust launch its ‘A Dip in the Sea’ campaign, an initiative to provide essential swimwear and accessories to those who need them most, enabling local communities to fully enjoy the oceans.
The scheme calls on residents to donate swimwear they no longer use so that it reaches those who need it. Items such as swimming costumes and trunks, swimming caps, beach shoes, wetsuits, buoyancy aids, swim shoes, towels, new sun cream, goggles, buckets and spades and more are welcome.
This summer also features a series of celebratory events, including Sleeping with Sharks, the chance to snorkel at the Aquarium and with the Ocean Conservation Trust in the UK’s first National Marine Park.
