Weird Wonders of the Sea Opens in Bray

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Weird Wonders of the Sea Opens in Bray

Thursday, April 5 2007

From pretty little yellow poisonous Cowfish to the massive and scarily-ugly Atlantic Wolf-fish, the bizarrest wonders of the ocean depths – from the native to the tropical – will be coming face-to-face with the outside world from today (Wednesday 4th April 2007) at National Sealife Centre Bray, one of Ireland’s largest freshwater and marine aquaria.

An atmospheric subterranean cavern has been developed at National Sealife Centre Bray and is the first Irish home for six Weird Wonders of the Sea, including Lumpsuckers, Longhorned Cowfish, Hovercraft Fish, Anglerfish, Atlantic Wolf-fish and the ethereal Moon Jellyfish.

Under the special care of Centre Manager Pat O’Suilleabhain and his team of expert marine biologists at National Sealife Centre Bray, these Weird Wonders of the Sea include some of prettiest – and ugliest – fish ever to visit the national marine centre.

Visitors to the Weird Wonders of the Sea exhibit at National Sealife Centre Bray will not only be able to come face-to-face for the first time with some of the most bizarre creatures of the deep known to man, but will also be able to learn how evolution has played its part in the development of the weird appearance of these underwater creatures – from their shape and colour to their skills and eerily strange ways!

The opening of this exhibit continues the campaigning work of the National Sealife Centre in Ireland, and sister centres across Europe, to encourage everyone to play their part in promoting the protection of vulnerable fish species in Irish and European as well as global waters.

Pat O’Suilleabhain, Centre Manager, National Sealife Centre Bray, commented that the future of such weird wonders of the sea is under threat from current fishing practices in Irish, European and global waters – from ocean-floor dragnets and over-fishing to commercial fishery piracy on the high seas. “Current practices such as dragnet fishing are not only creating deserts of our ocean beds, but are also disturbing the ecological balance of fish species in such waters. We are concerned that if such practices continue unchecked, the future of all the weird wonders of our seas will lead to decimation on a scale much larger and faster than any risks associated with global warming,” he stated.

All National Sealife Centres across Europe are linking up this year with the World Wildlife Fund to demand the implementation of a global policy on over-fishing to ensure the protection of such species as cod and ray. “Over-fishing in either Irish waters or international waters is piracy. While quotas exist for cod and ray fishing, the fact remains that over-fishing of such species, in particular Atlantic Cod, occurs to meet market demand. National Sealife Centre is encouraging the fishing industry to change its focus and to provide the consumer with a choice of alternative fish for consumption. We are also calling on the consumer to seek alternatives to such chip-shop favourites as cod and ray, in order that the future of these species can be protected,” Mr O’Suilleabhain commented.

Located on Bray Seafront, Co. Wicklow, National Sealife Centre Bray is the only aquarium on Ireland’s entire East Coast, and is one of the country’s largest all-weather marine and freshwater zoos. National Sealife Centre Bray provides a unique window on the universe of marine and freshwater fish. Visitors to National Sealife Centre Bray can see an amazing selection of freshwater species, from perch to piranhas, as well as one of Ireland’s largest selections of marine and tropical species, from shrimp to sharks!

Open 7-days a week, all-year-round (excluding Christmas Day & St Stephen’s Day), opening hours are 10am to 6pm (last admission 5pm.) Admission Prices: Adult €9.95 / Children €7.50 (up to 14) / Children under 3 Free / Student, Senior Citizen €8.50. For more information, contact National Sealife Centre Bray at (01) 2866 939 or log onto http://www.sealife.ie

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