National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth (must see)

The National Marine Aquarium, located in Sutton Harbour near the Barbican and fish market in Plymouth, opened its doors in May 1998. Renowned as the largest aquarium in the UK, it is home to over 5,000 marine animals and serves as an important educational institution dedicated to teaching visitors about marine ecosystems and conservation.

The National Marine Aquarium features four main exhibition zones: Plymouth Sound, Eddystone Reef, Atlantic Ocean, and Blue Planet. The Plymouth Sound zone presents a diverse array of marine life native to the local waters and houses 17 tanks, showcasing around 80 species, including local sharks, rays, and octopuses. This area emphasizes the rich biodiversity found within Plymouth’s coastal waters.

The Eddystone Reef exhibit, the largest local sea life display in Britain, is particularly impressive, featuring life-size models of whales and dolphins. The centerpiece of this exhibit is a large tank replicating the habitat of the Eddystone Reef, situated 19 km south of Plymouth. The ‘Ocean Drifters’ jellyfish exhibit, added in 2009, displays moon jellies, Japanese sea nettles, and upside-down jellyfish in specially designed round tanks to prevent injury to these delicate creatures.

The Atlantic Ocean zone boasts the largest tank in the aquarium, with a capacity of 2.5 million liters. This tank is home to over 1,000 Caribbean fish and has undergone updates, including the largest-ever shipment of live fish from Barbados in 2009, followed by enhancements in 2015 and 2016 to include lemon and sand tiger sharks.

The Blue Planet zone highlights the ‘Biozone’ and the ‘Great Barrier Reef’ sections, showcasing the global diversity of marine life. The Biozone features longhorn cowfish, lionfish, giant Pacific octopuses, and seahorses, while the second largest tank, at 700,000 liters, holds over 70 fish species. This zone emphasizes the importance of oceanic biodiversity and conservation.

Beyond its exhibits, the National Marine Aquarium has also played an active role in marine conservation projects, such as the 2004 sinking of the frigate HMS Scylla in Whitsand Bay, Cornwall, to create an artificial reef. This innovative project has contributed significantly to local marine life and research, underlining the aquarium’s commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation initiatives.