A Senegalese conservationist Baba Dioum said: “In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.”
And the Two Oceans Aquarium has been advocating for the conservation, education and research of the ocean and ocean wildlife for the past two decades.
Last month, the V&A Waterfront-based facility celebrated 27 years.
Helen Lockheart, Conservation and sustainability manager at the Aquarium, says: “The ocean means many different things to different people, but to us, it means sharing the love of our seas and their abundant life with you. We’ve welcomed over 10 million ocean lovers through our doors, through our educational offerings, exciting experiences, and lasting family memories.”
Lockheart explains when the facility opened, they didn’t have the two discovery centres and education classrooms.
She says the biggest addition to the facility is the I&J ocean exhibit and the Jelly Gallery which both opened in 2016.
At 1,6 million litres, the I&J Ocean Exhibit provides a home to rays, musselcrackers, green sea turtles, indigenous fish and much more. Whether viewed from the 10-metre long transparent tunnel or the giant viewing window – the I&J Ocean Exhibit gives people a glimpse into South Africa’s warm waters.
Lockheart says: “Over the years we have added many programmes. Our education programme has grown, we have introduced outreach programmes. We have a mobile puppet show that goes out to schools. In 2018, we established the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, to expand on our conservation, education and research programmes.”
She explains that they have formalised their turtle rescue programme.
“We have a turtle rescue rehabilitation release initiative and we are looking to expand it into a dedicated turtle conservation centre with a hospital, but that is in the pipeline in the next five years. As matters stand, we have reached capacity. We cannot take in more turtles.”
She explains that 2020 was a challenging year as the facility was closed for five months.
“With no visitors, it meant no revenue. It was a significant challenge. Since then, the support from Capetonians and South Africans has been amazing. Our other challenge is affecting behaviour change so that we can turn the state of things around on the planet.”
Lockheart says future endeavours include the redesign of their penguin exhibit and a revised children’s play centre.
Lockheart says they are always looking for volunteers and encourages people to scan their social media platforms for any volunteer positions.
Katja Borchers, a visitor from Germany, was impressed upon her first visit to the Aquarium.
“The Aquarium is very nice; I love it here.”
Cape Town resident Winnie Mtsweni says: “I didn’t even know there are so many fish species. The ocean life is so beautiful, I didn’t even know some were living creatures.”
Lockheart thanks patrons for their support over the years.
“Thank you V&A Waterfront for being our proud home for 27 years. Thank you, South Africa, for the truly amazing biodiversity we get to celebrate.
“Thank you to the parents, partners and fans that make everything at the Aquarium and Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation possible.”
The Aquarium will extend its operating hours for the holiday from 09:00 – 19:00 between Monday 26 December and Friday 6 January next year.
