NAUSICAA, the French National Sea Centre in Boulogne-sur-Mer (France), has undergone a massive expansion which will launch on Saturday 19th May, making it one of the largest aquariums in the world.
The new large-scale structure is a real architectural, aquatic and technical triumph for NAUSICAA and the first of its kind Europe.
Built in the shape of a manta ray, the new building will hold a staggering 10,000 m3 of water, equivalent to 4 Olympic size pools, and is modelled on the island of Malpelo, off the coast of Colombia.
The giant interactive aquarium will be populated with almost 60,000 creatures, including sharks, manta rays and shoals of fish, within an ecosystem recreating the high seas. An 18 metre-long transparent tunnel offers visitors a totally immersive experience, with panoramic viewing angles and a vast panel, measuring 20 metres long and 5 metres high, giving spectacular views.
NAUSICAA is a unique marine environment, which visitors can discover in a fun, educational and scientific way, with a primary focus on the relationship between mankind and the sea. In 25 years, NAUSICAA has welcomed over 15 million visitors and become a major player in efforts to raise awareness of the marine environment. NAUSICAA is a UNESCO “Centre of Excellence” because of its awareness-raising activities.
For more information on visiting NAUSICAA go to www.nausicaa.co.uk
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