Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Ramadan 17, 1445 H
broken clouds
weather
OMAN
23°C / 23°C
EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

ME’s largest aquarium on target to open later this year

1218148
1218148
minus
plus

MUSCAT: Al Jarwani Group’s Oman Aquarium, located in the Mall of Muscat, will deliver on a strong and continued awareness and action for the protection of the country’s environment. Oman Aquarium will ensure that current and future generations understand the importance of environmental awareness and education. Through informative and interactive teachings they will teach school children of all ages and visitors the fine balance of our oceans. Subjects will include the importance of sustainable fishing and catch-and-release programmes for undersized fish and what a devastating effect this will have on breeding, income and lifestyle for so many in the Sultanate if it is not fully adopted in time. They will show that the pollution of our oceans and beaches is everyone’s responsibility to police, how beautiful the underwater world really is and what a precarious state it is currently in.


There will be internships, undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities available, working with the aquarium and out in the field, using the latest technology to help support and improve Oman’s marine wildlife; ensuring vital skills and crucial knowledge remain and grow within the Sultanate.


The conservation and research projects at Oman Aquarium will also clearly carry this message through their breeding, clean-up programmes and biodiversity studies. The aquarium itself will house over 30,000 aquatic animals and with five of the world’s seven species of sea turtles breeding in Oman’s waters, the importance of rehabilitating and releasing any turtles that are found injured or sick is paramount to assisting their numbers grow and succeed.


Some turtles will be tagged, identified and have their data recorded in an attempt to better understand their populations and for future monitoring efforts. With the support of local universities and government ministries, several tanks will be devoted to coral, training people on how and why coral bleaching and reef restoration is essential.


Due to continual negative impacts from pollution, habitat destruction and over collecting, coral reefs are in peril all over the world and Oman is no exception. This issue is especially troubling for Oman because coral reefs are among the richest ecosystems on the planet and help support the fishing and tourist industries.


The cooperation between the aquarium and these entities will also include numerous educational projects, with a focus on the plastic waste crisis in the Sultanate’s waters and ecosystems, beach clean ups and outreach initiatives already taking place.


Shaikh Mahmood al Jarwani, Chairman of Al Jarwani Group says: “Oman Environment Day drives home how important the Oman Aquarium will be for the Sultanate. My vision for an aquarium that teaches the importance of education, conservation and sustainability, where visitors leave knowing more about Omani culture and marine heritage and create lasting memories, is becoming a reality.”


The construction of the Middle East’s largest aquarium is on target to open later this year.


The life support system equipment and aquarium exhibits that will ensure a suitable and healthy environment for all marine life that the Oman Aquarium will house are currently being installed.


SHARE ARTICLE
arrow up
home icon