Virginia Aquarium Plans Expansion

by | Apr 7, 2016 | Science, Tanks | 0 comments

Virginia_Aquarium__Marine_Science_Center_4633704Public aquariums are among the most popular tourist attractions in the world, drawing in tens of millions of cumulative visitors every year. The United States is lucky to be home to many outstanding institutions. The Virginia Aquarium is one of my favorites and I am glad to hear that there is some interesting expansion underway. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is planning an expansion that is already estimated at costing over nine million dollars. The Aquarium is owned and operated by the city,while the animals and exhibits are owned by the non-profit. The Aquarium opened on June 14, 1986 and has focused on hands on exhibits. The project is still in the design phase, but the plans include adding a Giant Pacific Octopus Exhibit and Jellyfish touch tank. The Aquarium recently had an expansion to add the zip line adventure center and coastal garden. The new plans include further expansion to the adventure center and the Mid-Atlantic Marine Animal Conservation Center. A childrens watershed activity center will go behind the Marsh Pavillion and allow children to take a shower under a rain cloud and dig in the sand. A new wing will be built for the Aquariums veternary center which will allow aquarium vets to provide continued care to the over 13,000 animals residing at the aquarium. Construction is expected to begin in 2018.

  • Francis is a marine biologist with an MBA and over 20 years of professional aquarium experience. Francis is the former Aquatic Development Manager at Hagen USA., makers of Fluval brand aquarium products. He co-stars on Nat Geo WILD's reality TV series Fish Tank Kings where he is the resident "Fish Geek" and was Director of Marketing at Living Color Aquariums. He is an avid explorer having visited over 45 countries and lived in 7. At 17, he was among the youngest aquarists ever hired by the Vancouver Aquarium, where he worked for 7 years. His aquatic biology experience ranges from larval fish rearing to the design, construction and operational management of renowned public aquariums around the world. Francis is currently head of marketing at the world's largest vertically integrated fish farming company.

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