€16 million aquarium to open this summer
Malta's national aquarium will open this summer, featuring 26 tanks and 175 different species of fish, including sharks.
The €16m project is fast taking shape in Qawra.
It is private-public partnership between the Malta Tourism Authority and Marine Aquatic Ltd.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi toured the project this morning with Tourism Minister Mario de Marco..
He said the project would enhance Malta's tourism product, but it would not have become possible without EU funds. The EU will be contributing some €8 million in funds - half the projected investment in this project.
An impression of what the project will look like for visitors.
Advert
Popular Stories
Old buses, drivers to return
Former Judge Ray Pace found dead
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Three new Nationalist MPs elected –...
Where’s Everybody staff is given notice
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Update 4 - Eddie Fenech Adami stable...
Revealed...the face of a Maltese woman...
Update 3 - Woman trapped as car crashes...
In Discussion
Old buses, drivers to return
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Enemalta seeking minimum five year gas...
Protected birds shot and trapped as...
Mario de Marco, Zammit Dimech concede,...
PN postpones salaries as financial...
Updated - PM's offer to Opposition MPs...
No appeals board for first part of power...
Advert
78 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Joe Xuereb
Feb 26th, 14:46
@S G Pirotta(Yesterday, 19:07). For your info., & for what it's worth, I never voted in Malta as I've been away this last half a century. That said, what's wrong with being 'partisan' as long as it's not done blindly? Maybe living away from the island gives me a clearer perspective. Food for thought, Pirotta, food for thought. The trick is in making informed decisions, mingħajr passjoni.
Joe Xuereb
Feb 26th, 14:36
@E Bonello(Today, 14:57). In a tiny, two-party country like Malta, the two manifestos are bound to overlap. Madanakollu (u mingħajr ma nirrikorri lejn il-każ tad-drogi li jservi biss biex iġenneb affarijiet ta' importanza akbar), jinfurmani sew it-twegħid imwettaq ta' din l-Amministrazzjoni, per eżempju il-farsa tat-tijatru/r-referendum ' bla sinsla' tad-divorzju. Jien b'hekk sfiduċjat.
Joe Xuereb
Feb 26th, 14:32
I can understand site-workers wearing surgical gloves for fine work. But I'd have thought wearing heavy-duty protective gloves would've been more appropriate for cutting heavy-duty metal mesh (see from 1:15 > on the video-clip).
The aquarium, THANKS TO EU FUNDS/PN vision, looks fantastic. I wonder what a LP in govt. would do given the chance? The Party has never governed since EU accession.
Joe Grech
Feb 25th, 21:24
Prime Minister - was this really a necessary project? Or is it just another of your administration's white elephants?
We get low cost tourist here - an Englishman stayed for 5 weeks at a St. Julians 'hotel' recently on all-inclusive rates. And do you know how much he paid? Just e600 flights included!
Is the Minister hoping to entice better paying tourists to come here to visit the aquarium?
C Cassar
Feb 26th, 08:58
That's true for British visitors. However, those from Germany, Scandinavia, Netherlands, Austria and a few other nations spend a lot of money when in Malta. Also, those that are specifically from Eurozone countries aren't affected by currency fluctuations. Sterling has been in free fall for a few months now, so be prepared for a dwindling supply of British visitors.
Karl Borg
Feb 26th, 09:24
doesn't make sense.. students will always be interested in such a project. Also it is ideal for families both who are tourists and also locals.
S G Pirotta
Feb 26th, 11:21
You could visit the aquarium yourself, Mr Grech. You never know, you might actually learn something.
Joe Grech
Feb 26th, 23:05
@SG Pirotta your comment is quite silly!
Tourism in Malta is not as sustainable and profitable as some people (including you most probably) are making it out to be.
Most of the tourists who come here on all inclusive packages spend little.
I believe money gained this way is not enough to pay for the water they use up. And I'm not joking as Malta has a serious Water Crises!
Mr Joe Cardona
Feb 25th, 18:57
It-tajjeb hu li l-EU taghti fondi ghal kollox imma biex jigu impjegati dawk is-7,000 ruh bla xoghol ma taghmel xejn ghalihom hlief xi naqra l hemm u naqra l hawn. Ahjar millli f'hafna hmerijiet tghin lil dawn il-persuni bla xoghol.
Mario Mercieca
Feb 25th, 20:38
Nista nassigurak li min progetti bhal dawn jieklu hafna ukoll...tindif, security, bennejja, maintinance, veterinarji, turizmu, receptionists, guidi ..malajr jdawwarlek hamsin ruh full time.
Robert Mifsud
Feb 25th, 21:58
7000? Billi hemm 7000 persuna bla xoghol ma jfissirx li hemm 7000 persuna li trid tahdem. Trid tara minn dawk is-7000 min minnhom irid jahdem ghax hemm min huwa impenjat jiehu hsieb it-trabi u trdi tara dawk in-nies li huma interresati li jahdmu. Ikumparat ma pajjizi barra minn Malta ic-cifra ija pjutost tajba u meta tanalizza l-istat ta l-ekonomija globali.
PS: X'ghandu x'jaqsam ma laquarium?
James Muscat
Feb 25th, 22:17
You're absolutely right...all of those robots working in the tourism sector and the ones which will be programmed to work at this aquarium are TAKING OUR JOBS.
Daqshekk, we should leave the EU -_-
Joe Grech
Feb 25th, 17:59
The public will almost certainly want to know who the Directors, the big fish of Marine Aquatic Ltd are./
Why are such details not reported? the public has a right to know seeing that this is a private-public project. If the Minister responsible or the government won't tell us then hopefully the EU will. After all EU funds are also involved.
Vincent Mercieca
Feb 25th, 17:21
It is a pity that GonziPN will not have the chance to cut the ribbon.
John Scerri
Feb 25th, 18:20
Never count your chickens before they hatch . You might be in for a big surprise.
Chris Tuckley
Feb 25th, 16:59
Cannot wait, if it is 1% as good as the sea life centres in the UK it will be out of this world. Congratulations to the designers and Builder. Hope its open before the 26 May thats when I arrive.
C Cassar
Feb 25th, 17:41
The article states that it will open in the summer, so don't think May qualifies for that.
Andre Bugeja
Feb 25th, 19:04
and with the efficiency in completing projects here after elections we would be lucky if it were to be finished by autumn.
Karl Borg
Feb 26th, 09:25
@Andre Bugeja.. prosit ibqa' sejjer hekk u kompli ghamel reklam tajjeb 'il pajjizek -_-
S G Pirotta
Feb 25th, 16:39
I've been to sea life centres in Spain and the UK, and this looks like it's going to be a good one. Love the hand-sprayed backgrounds and the 'Captain Nemo' room. Not only an opportunity to enhance tourism on the island but also a great educational resource fo both children and adults. In the future, this place might even help with conservation of local marine species.
Gunilla Bernhus
Feb 25th, 16:26
27th of July last year, the Times wrote about the new Maltese NATIONAL Aquarium..." the black tip shark from the Indian Ocean.....Excuse me- why having seacreatures from the Indian Ocean?! Don't the Med include enough interesting species? And maybe we need to educate ourselves about the jellyfishes...?
S G Pirotta
Feb 25th, 16:41
What a narrow view of life! Why should an aquarium in the med have only mediterranean fish? The idea is to expand people's horizons on a global scale. Do you eat only Med food and read only med books?
Karl Borg
Feb 26th, 09:14
Goes to show that you have never visited any aquariums in other countries.. otherwise you would not pass on such ignorant comments as it is common practise in having sealife from around the globe.
Benson Williams
Feb 25th, 16:11
8mil eu funds, as a British tax payer back home now i know why we are downgraded by none other then Mr.Moody , i say charity begins at home.
Saviour Pirotta
Feb 25th, 17:16
The UK has access to and uses these kinds of funds too, Mr Williams. As a British taxpayer for the last thirty two years myself, I don't mind some of tax being used for projects like these.
Lawrence Fenech
Feb 25th, 15:45
M'hemmx bzonn nixtru sharks ghax diga hawn hafna mas-saqajn.
G Tonna
Feb 25th, 15:32
Well done to the Nationalist government. No wonder it was elected to govern in 12 out of 20 legislatures since self-government in 1921.
Victor Rodenas
Feb 25th, 15:16
Annimals in cages,...glass cages.
fleur marie cilia buckett
Feb 25th, 19:00
well said! i think 16 million on this is not needed at all!!!!....16 million give it to the cancer patients!!!!
Karl Borg
Feb 26th, 09:15
if your comments are meant to grow a conscience.. then do not comment at all. This project is similar to other projects in European countries, where I can assure you that these creatures have been raised in captivity always.
John Scerri
Feb 25th, 14:59
If Labour will be in power we will lose the enjoyment of always experiencing something new, good for us and our children and their childrens' children.
All Labour governments' aims were to keep the money in the money box and never take risks to develop and progress.
LABOUR IS A LIABILITY WHICH NO ONE SHOULD RISK : JOBS ARE AT STAKE , OUR FUTURE TOO.
PN WILL WORK . LABOUR NO
Paul Gauci
Feb 25th, 16:04
Maybe if this government tried to keep some money in the money box we wouldn't have ended up with over 5 billion euros of public debt, half of which done by Lawrence Gonzi since 2004. This debt will be paid by you, me and our children in the future.
Now go on and thank Gonzi for leaving an inheritance of 12,000 euros of DEBT on every Maltese citizen!!
Paul Gauci
Feb 25th, 16:05
Part 2:
Your message demonstrates why we need a change in government. We need a government who uses our tax money in a responsible way with right priorities. Like investing in our energy sector rather than building roofless theatres and new parliaments costing over 100 million euros!
John Scerri
Feb 25th, 17:18
@ Paul .The real change in government will only take place when there is a real MLP and not the pirate copy of PN
I'd rather opt for an original PN than for a party which became a movement, swapped it's true colours, discarded it's anthom, and spent 5 years doing it's best to resemble as much as possible the PN.
Pirate copies have errors , they give you a false impression of the real thing.
Karl Borg
Feb 26th, 09:28
@Paul Gauci.. seriously? And you think the Opposition leader could have got a better package than Dr Gonzi did of 1.128 billion? Think again.
An Cachia
Feb 25th, 14:55
Can't wait for it to open, as regarding price of entry, which I know will be a bone of contention for most, most aquariums abroad aren't cheap to visit, so if priced similarly, I am all in. I find it pleasing that at last there are options of what to do in the country, rather than picnics and beach in summer.
Anna B.
Feb 25th, 14:44
Nice project, must admit.... but Eur16m, would have helped filling in the hole of the island's deficit!
Stephen Gambin
Feb 25th, 14:42
@Tony Borg Borg jew tiehu xi €500 fil gimgha bil mohbi!!! x tahseb habib!!!
A Spiteri
Feb 25th, 14:21
Grazzi ghal-gvern tal-PN biddel pajjizna mil-lejl ghan- nhar. Il-bierah il-Park fis-south ta' Malta u issa national aquarium f'post turistiku. Kif tista tbiddel id-direzzjoni u it-tmexxija tal-pajjiz. Proset tal-idejat ul-progetti ghal-gid taghna u ta' pajjizna.
A.M. Galea
Feb 25th, 14:18
I heard that it is going to be inaugurated by Dr Simon Busuttil . He does have some expeirence of being in an aquarium . But Simon , be careful because the sharks will be inside this time .
sammy cassar
Feb 25th, 14:18
Prosit. Very interesting and much needed.
Evan Mamo
Feb 25th, 14:09
Nice project. Sharks??!! Maybe we can include the two-legged species too! Seems to be plenty of them around given recent events!!!!!
Darren Bugeja
Feb 25th, 13:45
Proset progett tajjeb. Imma il hazin wara il PN huwa ferm akbar.
Tony Borg Borg
Feb 25th, 14:26
D. Bugeja il-hazin hu li tkun taf affarijiet dwar droga u ma taghmilx rapport lill pulizija.
Paul Micallef
Feb 25th, 15:02
Tony Borg Borg taf x inhu l hazin, li tghajjar avversajru politiku li ma ghamilx rapport lil pulizija u tipprova taghmel kampanja elettorali fuq l istorja biex imbaghad tkun int stess li taghtih xoghol ta xufier tal ambulanzi biex tixtrih! halluna!
John Scerri
Feb 25th, 15:13
@Darren , il-hazin hu li mal - Labour ma jibqax garanzija li progress ta' dan it-tip ser jibqa sejjer ghax skont il kap tieghek ser ibiddel id-direzzjoni u ma semmiex lejn fejn hi din il famuza direzjoni .
Li naf fi zgur hu l- dan il gid inholoq mil PN bil-ghajnuna ta´ l-EU li il-kap tieghek ma riedx.
Xejn ma nghidlek Darren ..aghzel bil-ghaqal li ma tmurx tizloq fis-SILG !!! u tibqa biha .
Peter Spiteri
Feb 25th, 13:39
Just as I am against wild animals in circuses,wild fish should be free to roam the oceans! If you want to see sharks stand outside the parliament.
Needto Banhunting
Feb 25th, 13:31
Ignore EU directives regarding the hunting of migratory birds but accept EU funding for a commercial enterprise that hopes to attract tourists. Well here's one family that wont be coming back to your beautiful islands until you sort your lawless hunters out.
Antoine Zammit
Feb 25th, 15:21
Sir,
You have the right to come or dont come to Malta, but you have no right to dictate the policy to the Maltese Political Class. Malta became a free country in 1979, and hence no foreign interference shall be! I am not in favour of hunting, nor against, but I do am against nosy parkers thinking Malta was still a colony of theirs!
Thanks,
A.Z
Mr Roderick Cutajar
Feb 25th, 13:08
This is a very interesting project but once again, like most other projects, it will be ready months after the proposed deadline
Tony Borg Borg
Feb 25th, 14:28
R. Cutajar allura waqat id-dinja. Jekk taqra gazzetti barrannin tkun taf kemm progetti jaqghu lura.
C Cassar
Feb 25th, 14:35
@Mr Roderick Cutajar:
So if we all had your way of thinking we wouldn't start any projects at all. Where are you facts/links to indicate that this project will be late?
Paul Micallef
Feb 25th, 15:03
Mhux jhekk Tony Borg Borg, il problema li hawn KOLLOX jaqa lura, u qatt ma qrajt f gazzetti barranin li sptar idum biex jinbena 15 il sena ezempju jew powerstation iddum iktar minn 25 sena biex tinghalaq u ghadha tahdem! hallina!
James Tyrrell
Feb 25th, 12:58
Interesting to note that in the entire 5 minute presentation only one of the workers is seen wearing gloves and in that case the gloves he is wearing are totally inappropriate for the job he is doing.
M Rayner
Feb 25th, 12:45
Hope the Tanks are big enough to hold the large sharks, At the moment there are a lot of them running around for votes
Peter Spiteri
Feb 25th, 13:41
Good one!HA!HA!
Peter Zahra
Feb 25th, 12:40
This is another proof that this Government has a good direction and is investing heavily with the help of EU for the benefit of Malta. These particular initiatives and many other projects continue to contribute to our sucess in tourism which year after year has been increasing, despite the world's and Eurozone financial difficulties !!
Victor Rodenas
Feb 25th, 12:33
I am bewildered,......many say that annimals kept in cages in circuses is wrong, by the same reasoning, is it right to keep fish in glass cages?
Simon Cassar
Feb 25th, 12:30
Why is this news?...going to open in summer..so when it opens then the prime minister can visit it then!!...electoral propoganda!!
C Cassar
Feb 25th, 13:28
It's a great project that has the endorsement of EU funds (which are not easy to obtain). It's news because it's a large investment for the people & visitors of Malta. What's not to like about it when non-Maltese citizens have paid half of the cost? Be appreciative of others help in your country.
Tony Borg Borg
Feb 25th, 14:31
Sewwa qieghed tghid Simon. L-ahhbar principali illum missa hija kif xi hadd irrid issir PM u ma jirrapurtax dwar droga lill pulizija.
Paul Micallef
Feb 25th, 15:04
Dan investiment C Cassar? Investiment meta tqabbad ix xoghol lin nies! L aqwa li qed inkomplu nkissru l kosta taghna!
C Cassar
Feb 25th, 17:45
@Paul Micallef:
So you think this generates no employment? What about the specialist staff who will work there? What about the service companies that will provide specialist maintenance for the tanks? What about the specialist services to look after the wildlife? Even local vetenary services will have business here.
Why are the Maltese so short sighted?
Fleur Mallia
Feb 25th, 12:05
Wow!! proset Dr.Gonzi ta dan il projett gdid! Tinholoq certu entuzjazmu kemm min naha tat tfal, zaghzagh, kbar kif ukoll turisti! Grazzi talli qed issebbah pajizna. Jien Warajk :)
S Muscat
Feb 25th, 14:21
Inti bis-serjeta!!! Isebbah!!!? Ahjar ghedt ikerrah ghax kull rokna fil-pajjiz qed nimlewha konkos!!!
Joseph E Briffa
Feb 25th, 11:57
Another project which should be a big attraction for both locals and tourists. Well done and keep it up. Good for us that we joined the EU.
Joe Xuereb
Feb 25th, 11:52
Din xi lixka oħra? Mela ħsibtna mzazen? Bl-akkwarju jew le, il-biża' għall-futur ta' uliedna xorta hemm jibqa'. Aħna soluzzjonijiet għal bosta problemi serji li għandu l-pajjiż irridu u mhux twegħid ta' torti tal-ħaxu fis-sema. It-turist qiegħed jistenna' jiġi Malta biex jara erba ħutiet ġo tank (u jara għasafar ġo gaġġa daqs kaxxa taż-żraben fuq il-Monti).
E Bonello
Feb 25th, 14:57
What other solutions is JM offering..???? 70% of the proposals are copied from the PN manifest, a PN budget which he himself voted against, energy plan which Konrad Mizzi failed to explain & never publish the details as he promised. Hypocrites at its best, and a political accountability for all those who don’t fit in “Malta taghna ukoll “like Anglu Farrugia
S G Pirotta
Feb 25th, 19:07
Mr Xuereb, there are sea life centres likes these all over the world, but especially in places that survive mostly on their tourism as Malta does. People pay good money to visit them. Your comment smacks of partisan politics.
John Wayne
Feb 25th, 11:50
Very apt photo -in the tunnel of sharks!
John Vella
Feb 25th, 11:50
Aquariums running costs are tremendous.. Unless you have hundreds of patrons daily, I honestly do not how viable this project is!
E Bonello
Feb 25th, 14:59
more viable then the energy proposal which JM is offering in two years time ...if the time frame is still on the cards (as the time frame is not mentioned in their so-called electoral manifest)
eddy towers
Feb 25th, 11:42
lets hope that this project is NOT RUN FOR PROFIT ONLY and it does not cost an arm and a leg to get in to view the aquatic life, keep the entrance fees down to as low as can be and get more visitors in. i would love to visit the splash park but will not pay the extortionate prices of 20 euros adult 12 for child for a swim. anyone heard of the austerity thats going on. keep the prices down...
Franco Farrugia
Feb 25th, 13:43
Anyone heard of respect for animals?
C Cassar
Feb 25th, 11:32
Another good reason for EU membership.
Franco Farrugia
Feb 25th, 11:10
I sincerely hope that the tanks are big enough for the large fish - and I hope that the installation will meet the necessary, international, and more importantly animal-focussed standards are up to scratch. One hopes that this aquarium will not spell bad news for animals. And fish are sentient beings as well, in spite of the fact that they don't sound their discomfort - as we do!
Peter Bonello
Feb 25th, 13:05
fish show rather obvious behaviors when the environment they are in are not good enough - some sit at the bottom, some float at the surface, some change their colours and of course some of them die :(
Franco Farrugia
Feb 25th, 11:10
I sincerely hope that the tanks are big enough for the large fish - and I hope that the installation will meet the necessary, international, and more importantly animal-focussed standards are up to scratch. One hopes that this aquarium will not spell bad news for animals. And fish are sentient beings as well, in spite of the fact that they don't sound their discomfort - as we do!
Please choose the reason of your report below: