Work on national aquarium well underway
Photo: Clodagh Farrugia O'Neill, DOI
Malta’s first national aquarium in Qawra should be completed in the first three months of next year, Tourism Minister Mario de Marco said during a visit this morning.
The €15.6 million 26-tank aquarium is being funded through EU funds (€8 million) and private investment.
The aquarium area will be 20,000 square metres with the biggest tank having a volume of 330 cubic metres. A tunnel people can walk through will pass through this tank.
The aquarium will house Mediterranean and tropical fish including grouper, sea bass, rays, sea bream, blacktip sharks, barracudas, clown fish and angel fish.
Dr de Marco said that Malta’s aquarium will be unique in the sense that it is on the coast when such aquariums are usually in land or in ports.
The area will also include diving facilities for schools and a car park which can take up to 150 cars. Both the diving facilities and the car park are complete. The tanks will be complete by the end of summer. Work would then focus on the pedestrian and upper areas, which will include a playground and a promenade.
A submarine and a shipwreck one can walk through are also being recreated.
The site of the aquarium is only a few metres away from a natural diving site. A total 70,000 tourists come to Malta to dive annually.
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Mr Stephen Borg
Jul 26th 2012, 23:33
I do believe that every attraction is a step in the right direction, but I think that we should invest more in attractions which are exclusive to Malta because aquariums can be found in any country. Many countries create tourist attractions from just about everything, this could be encouraging considering the assets we do have on our islands.
Toni Muscat
Jul 26th 2012, 20:08
Why can't works for a new hospital in Gozo be underway ?????????? I really do not understand the priorities in this country :(
Francis Sammut
Jul 26th 2012, 19:19
No, Malta's won't be unique Dr. Demarco.There is one (aquarium as above) in Southend-on-Sea in England. And it is inland by the sea, as it implies! And it's not the only one either.
John Vella
Jul 26th 2012, 14:36
A state of the art sandy beach would have been more beneficial for the locals and tourist alike.
Anthony Arpa
Jul 26th 2012, 14:18
Tajba din.... Mela mhux dejjem li parti sew min kull ma jintefaq biex issieru progetti bhall dawn ikunu flus il poplu .... mela il poplu mhux Taxxi ihallas biex jaghmel tajjeb ghall dawn l ispejjez fil ipajjiez. Veru u hadd ma jista jinegah li EU f'hafna progetti tejna sew ukoll ... Imma nahseb li ma tantx hawn galantomy li jaghmlu progetti ta din il qwalita u johrog il flus min butu ... Dejjem il poplu irried jaghmel tajjeb ...
Charles Muscat
Jul 26th 2012, 13:08
Qat ma kont nahseb li go Malta hemm daqsek nies imdejqa.
John Vella
Jul 26th 2012, 18:44
u go nsw x'hemm mela?
Steve Zammit
Jul 26th 2012, 13:00
Why build an aquarium when metres away the sea is full of fish, if you want to enjoy the aqua life, do like the 70,000 people quoted above and go diving into our blue sea, and not see fish in tanks.
I hope trees will be planted, as to do this project the tamarisk grove near Fra Ben had to be destroyed, but nobody seems to care about that.
Franco Attard Trevisan
Jul 26th 2012, 12:55
quote :'The aquarium area will be 20,000 square metres with the biggest tank having a volume of 330 cubic metres'
are you sure it's only 330 cubic meters?? sounds rather small
anthony sultana
Jul 26th 2012, 12:46
I visit lots of aquariums aroumd the world, they were always packed with visiters, it will be the best business that we have in Malta.The aquarium itself will tell what kind of marine there is in the middle of the mediterranean sea include sharks,if there will be no sharks to see,then the aquarium will look cheap.
Raymond Sacco
Jul 26th 2012, 12:37
This will be ideal for our Mediterranian touristic island! It will surely compliment our beaches and beautiful sea which surrounds us! This piece of land was an eyesore in the midst of our island's tourist core. Now, I hope that the rest of the waste land adjacent to the aquarium and going as for as to Amazonia will be converted into some garden park and get rid of that large blot of landscape full of dust, rubble and rubbish once and for all!
jesmond zammit
Jul 26th 2012, 12:16
nispera li se jkun thallas u mhux piz fuq il poplu .
Marisa Deguara
Jul 26th 2012, 12:04
I honestly hope that this includes adequate parking facilities as it will definitely attract hundreds of people. At present it is already a nightmare trying to park anywhere in Bugibba/Qawra area! However, looking forward for something spectacular for our kids to enjoy and learn more about life beneath the water surfaces!
Steve M. Engerer
Jul 26th 2012, 12:18
The area will also include diving facilities for schools and a car park which can take up to 150 cars. Both the diving facilities and the car park are complete.
If you had read the whole article you would have had your answer!!!
Marisa Deguara
Jul 26th 2012, 18:59
@ mr engerer....do you seriously think that a car park of 150 cars is adequate???? seems you do not visit the area so often!!!!!!!! I am still hoping that OTHER parking facilities will be created!! Qawra, Bugibba and St paul's bay are well known for their LACK of parking spaces!!!
anthony sultana
Jul 26th 2012, 11:40
One hope that it won"t be too expencesive to visit due to the lots of euros spend on the project,2 euros is the price to please everybody, because some locals will visit the place very often like me for example , I will go every Sunday because I love marine life.
M Cachia
Jul 26th 2012, 12:12
Upkeep and maintenece are not words you're familiar with are they.
Dennis Quaid
Jul 26th 2012, 12:25
2 Euro? are you kidding? Two Euro is the price for the bus ticket to get there.
I would expect a prize of 10 Euro. Such place you don't enter for a every Sunday's one hour outing. You take your time in there and spend at least half a day in there.
Lee Micallef
Jul 26th 2012, 12:38
Anthony 2euro would definately please everybody but your pricing is lets just say "way off" The blue planet aquarium in the Uk charge around 20euro for an adult and around 13Euro for a child (standard prices) Malta being a tourist destination will charge roughly the same amount( if not more) especially during the summer months !
Lucienne Dimech
Jul 26th 2012, 13:07
If ever you visited similar attractions abroad, which you should have given that you love marine life. You should be aware that to cover the good upkeep and Mai tain such a place maybe one should expect to pay a bit more . In Malta we expect everything for cheap or free that is I possible.
I Bugeja
Jul 26th 2012, 14:40
Mr Quaid... half a day is excessive.
I have been to Barcelona's and London's aquarium which are both interesting in different ways however most people don't spend more than 2 hours
Dennis Quaid
Jul 27th 2012, 10:19
Mr. Bugeja, half a day is what I plan when I go somewhere special to admire all features. I went to the Bird Park and spent half a day when most just come , go through and out and then complaining about the prize. I will spent time infront of each aquarium/cage and admire how wonderful nature is. So, yes, eben 15-20 Euros is something I would pay without thinking. After all, spending half a day will a sufficient visit for one year.
Austin grech
Jul 26th 2012, 11:39
is it going to be free to enter ? or will it cost an arm and a leg. after all half of the fun's are from the EU. our tax's.
Steve M. Engerer
Jul 26th 2012, 12:17
Oh yes for sure it is going to be free!!!!
Infact the private investor also invested in a kitchen so you will get a free meal aswell...
...by the way they might even give you a souvenir to take for for free!!!
Be serious please Mr Grech!!!
Dennis Quaid
Jul 26th 2012, 12:26
if you want it for free go to the Water Park in Bugibba just a few steps down :-)
Austin grech
Jul 26th 2012, 13:45
that's the point, it our tax's that pay for the project while the private sector invests on a kitchen and makes all the profit. And it will cost an arm and a leg. But it won't be the people that profit. it's been done with other enterprises. same old !
C Cassar
Jul 26th 2012, 14:02
why do the Maltese expect everything for free? Would they offer their services at their workplace for free?
George Cutajar
Jul 26th 2012, 11:31
While other European countries are trying to come to terms with the financial crisis we in Malta tap into EU and private funds and build an aquarium. providing jobs locally and enhancing our fantastic touristic product.
Would this have been possible had we taken somebody's advice and stayed outside of the EU?
Dennis Quaid
Jul 26th 2012, 11:04
330 cqm for the biggest tank is not very impressive. Having this with a tunnel means that there is only a few meters to walk through.
If I would have the possibility to create an aquarium near the coast, why not making a tunnel which goes in the real coastal sea and even down at the side of the coast to a depth of 10 meters. I understand that there won't be sharks around, but surely something most of use will find more attractive (real nature and not artificial one).
However , let;s wait and see when it is ready. Don't want to judge on an unfinished project (like the Valetta square).
A. Schembri
Jul 26th 2012, 11:23
Well at least something great is being done. 330cqm may not be very impressive. But thanks to this investor, we will have someone. I am not ready to comment at all. If I don't like it I do not visit, however I think I shall be visiting very often. Bring it on. More of such incentives by people having the capacity to invest fruitfully on our island be them Maltese or foreigners
walter camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 15:46
Unfortunately, unless one goes very deep,in Malta nowadays it is very rare for one to be able to see any fish at all close to the shore, let alone the number and density of differenty species on would be in a position to admire in an acquarium.
More, in shallow water close to the shore the whole installation would be exposed to waves that would destroy anything weaker than a fully fledged breakwater.
Walter Camilleri
C Cassar
Jul 26th 2012, 10:59
Another great project only possible via EU membership. A good educational project that Maltese citizens and visitors will benefit from.
T Mifsud
Jul 26th 2012, 10:57
Looking forward!
Matthew Farrugia
Jul 26th 2012, 10:57
The underwater world is such a fascinating place... finally non divers can appreciate what lies beneath the surface... visit www.underwaterwonders.eu to view underwater scapes around our islands
William Attard McCarthy
Jul 26th 2012, 10:56
Can't wait to shoot some photos here!
anthony sultana
Jul 26th 2012, 10:55
Prosit GonziPN for such a thing, but 15 milion euros, is it made of gold.Every government project end up so expensive, while the minimum salaries are peanuts.
Mr Stanley Fenech
Jul 26th 2012, 11:04
"The €15.6 million 26-tank aquarium is being funded through EU funds (€8 million) and private investment."
What is your problem?
It is a private investment together with EU funds.
I'd rather have a €15.6 million aquarium then a useless parliament close by a useless roofless theatre.
Kenneth Bezzina
Jul 26th 2012, 11:09
Try building a state of the art aquarium with all those facilities for cheaper and tell me how it goes.
J Cassar
Jul 26th 2012, 11:16
Seriously??? Renovating a house has cost me a small fortune let alone an aquarium... you do realise that there is a bulk load of water everywhere? and that special glass is needed etc etc? You need to have a look at prices of every day things before you pass such pathetic remarks!
Joseph Camilleri
Jul 26th 2012, 11:17
@Stanley Fenech: you missed the point! Mr Sultana wanted to use 'GonziPN' to denigrate the PM and thus turn a positive project into a negative. Right Mr Sultana?
Mr Stanley Fenech
Jul 26th 2012, 12:08
@Joseph Camilleri, Unfortunately I did not miss the point at all. However, I hate people who can only see red or blue. The problem with this country and its politics has always been exactly this. Instead of judging the policies and in such a case a project we just judge by colour. Why do we have to keep wearing horse blinders?
David Smith
Jul 26th 2012, 10:53
This is precisely what Malta needs - more and more attractions, and a greater variety of things for tourists to consider visiting when in Malta. I feel that Government should now seriously consider a fun park, (another attraction sorely missed) which could easily be built as a private-public partnership. Just an idea - how about a floating site, or one built on reclaimed land.
J Cassar
Jul 26th 2012, 11:13
Not just for tourists.... Maltese people have to travel far and wide to have anything fun to do or visit such parks... Let us just hope that we maintain the standard that it starts with!
Anthony Arpa
Jul 26th 2012, 10:51
Hope i will still be around to have the opportunity to see this Nice Attraction ...
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