UP FOR RENOVATIONS: The aquarium offers a unique educational experience to its visitors, showcasing the diverse marine life found along the Namibian coast. It is the only aquarium in Namibia and one of the few in the world that only displays local indigenous species. Photo Otis Daniels
UP FOR RENOVATIONS: The aquarium offers a unique educational experience to its visitors, showcasing the diverse marine life found along the Namibian coast. It is the only aquarium in Namibia and one of the few in the world that only displays local indigenous species. Photo Otis Daniels

Renovation of aquarium to commence

Otis Daniels
The minister of fisheries and marine resources, Derek Klazen, informed Cabinet that the renovation of the National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund will commence during the 2024/2025 financial year.

In his budget motivation, Klazen said the ministry requires N$321 447 000 for the 2024/2025 financial year and that the renovations will be conducted under the Survey and Stack Assessment Programme of the ministry, for which N$64 464 907 is needed.

The spokesperson for the ministry, Uaripi Katjiukua, announced the closure of the facility for renovations in October 2023.

“Years of exposure to seawater caused damage to many of the external and internal concrete structures as well as the reinforcement steel in the concrete. The ministry said it will do its best to maintain the exhibit at the aquarium, but the main tank will likely need to be drained.”

The main display has a capacity of 320 000 litres of water and features a 5-meter tunnel for an awesome underwater experience.

Katjiuka said the 11 concrete pillars around the main tank will be replaced, while its concrete walls and the seal between it and the upper floor will be repaired.

"The room housing the aquarium’s pumps, filters, and electrical control board will have its concrete roof and floor replaced. Further repairs will be done to the wooden structures of the ceiling and displays, the concrete structure of the rock lobster tank, and the roof structures on the outside of the building. The dry displays, small tanks, and information displays will also be renovated."

The aquarium was inaugurated in 1995, and major repairs and renovations are required to extend the lifespan of the facility, which had a remarkable turnover of 48 098 visitors in 2022.

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