The National Marine Aquarium makes a splash as it celebrates 25 years and 7 million visitors

The UK’s largest Aquarium proudly celebrates its 25th birthday this July - marking the occasion with a new permanent exhibit displaying its quarter of a century history 

The National Marine Aquarium celebrates its 25th birthday this July, solidifying its position as the UK's premier destination for marine education and conservation. Welcoming 7 million visitors and home to more than 5,000 ocean animals, the UK’s largest Aquarium is celebrating by highlighting its wave crashing work over the past quarter century. 

Since it was established in 1998, the 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 more than 7 million 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, CEO of the National Marine Aquarium and Ocean Conservation Trust;

“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”.

The anniversary also provides the opportunity to turn attention to the members of staff who have been integral to its success. This includes Soraya, a dedicated and diligent staff member, who has maintained the pristine condition of the Aquarium for more than 21 years. As well as the Aquarium’s longest-serving volunteer, Jill has donated her time to the Aquarium for 21 years. These two capture the spirit of what it means to work for the National Marine Aquarium and help drive its passion for connecting people with the Ocean. 

In its 25th year, the National Marine Aquarium continues to push the envelope of UK-leading conservation as it proudly hosts the inaugural UK Seagrass Symposium on November 9th and 10th 2023. Presented by the Ocean Conservation Trust and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, this two-day symposium will unite practitioners, scientists, managers, and communities nationwide, showcasing seagrass conservation achievements, addressing challenges, and facilitating knowledge exchange on UK seagrass science, policy, and management.

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 our oceans. The scheme calls upon 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. 

For more information on the UK Seagrass Symposium click here. For a complete list of drop-off locations for donations towards the A Dip in the Ocean campaign, click here.