[paul m]

Following my query about zoos (I'm a bit ambivalent) why not one about aquaria? My youngest son has always liked these - so if we're in any town with an aquarium then we have to visit. I must admit that I find them a bit tedious after a while but he could spend all day in one - he also spends all day looking in rock pools ....
I've not really seen a bad one but the two we liked most were the newish one in Barcelona - big and beautifully laid out although some of the labelling was a bit iffy. A real favourite is a small 'old style' one in Banyuls-sur-Mer, south western France (which is, incidentally, a good place for exploring the coast and eastern Pyrenees - http://www.banyuls-sur-mer.com/anglais/c1.html ) attached to the oceanographic study department of the Sorbonne, as I recall. Not vast amounts in there but some oddities and well presented.

[dolphin]

spent a lot of time in seaworld as a kid but haven't been back for a long time looking at them on the tv they seem to have really improved in recent years never, althougbI don't fancy going under one of the tunnels

[paul m]

Originally Posted by dolphin

spent a lot of time in seaworld as a kid but haven't been back for a long time looking at them on the tv they seem to have really improved in recent years never, althougbI don't fancy going under one of the tunnels

I like the tunnels - there's a very good one at Barcelona where you can walk amongst the sharks! A different variant - at the new aquarium in Dinard (Bretagne) you can be taken round in a submerged bucket ... quite interesting!

I think though, that most places have given up dolphins and other whales in captivity?

[paul m]

While researching sharks, came across this list of UK aquaria:
Aquaria

Anyone know of lists for other countries?

PS: answering myself, in part - here's a list for Europe:
Euro-aquarium - Welcome

[frostfire]

Originally Posted by paul m

I think though, that most places have given up dolphins and other whales in captivity?

Hi Paul,
In the link you gave about the European aquaria Dolfinarium Harderwijk is mentioned by the Dutch ones. I love it there and to make sure no confussion on why they keep dolphins and porpoise, I thought I'd give some extra information on it... It isn't technically an aquarium, it is more of an rehabilitation centre for dolphins that get washed up on the Dutch, Belgian, German and even French coast. All the animals that can be released are released. The ones that for whatever reason can't go back to the wild, are kept there under good conditions and are used for observation and research. The dolphins have their own laguna area and visitors can watch them under water, but not through a tunnel but there are loads of glass pannels.
There are also sealions, walruses, skates, little sharks, rays and a few seals. The reason there aren't mainy seals is because there is a seperate seal rehabitation centre in the north of Holland, Pieterburen. I'll have a look for my photo's from Dolfinarium, so you can see under what conditions they are kept. Last time I went though I didn't have a digital camara so it may take a while...

[ozwildlife]

Hi Paul,
I found this list on Wiipedia.
List of aquaria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Apparently the biggest aquarium in the world is the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta ...

[paul m]

Originally Posted by ozwildlife

Hi Paul,
I found this list on Wiipedia.
List of aquaria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Apparently the biggest aquarium in the world is the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta ...

My paper yesterday said it was Sydney Aquarium where you can even see platypus!

Sydney Aquarium - River Life

[black]

Must admit I have a certain fondness for Aquariums even the small one in Liverpool Museum has certainly done wonders for encouraging an interest in marine life. The local kids are often aghast with cries of "It's Nemo!" every time a Clownfish floats by. Liverpool museums - Aquarium at World Museum

We have a larger one nr Chester called The Blue Planet that has been heaving with people on the couple of occasions I've visited. They house the largest collection of Sharks in Europe and have a wonderful Aquatheatre where they have guys in scuba gear floating around whilst a presenter talks to you about the various fish Blue Planet Aquarium: Home

Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town is a joy with its huge Kelp forest tanks and Predator tanks with Ragged Tooth Sharks.
Two Oceans Aquarium Cape Town, South Africa

We have some excellent aquariums in the UK. My brother was involved with the 10m deep shark pool at The Deep in Hull
The Deep Aquarium - Hull, East Yorkshire. Visitor Attraction and Business Centre.

The jammy devil has also been involved with the aquarium in the seafood restuarant in the Burg al Arab in Dubai plus various private aquariums for Sheiks - they even have them on board their yachts. Oh how the other half live