A new aquarium is being built in Bristol on the site of the former Wildwalk and Imax exhibit.
The aquarium is costing 4 million and is being set up by the Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay. It aims to showcase both native and non-native species in natural displays in order to promote greater understanding of the aquatic world.
The aquarium, which will centre around two giant 10,000-litre fish tanks, is now due to open in October after financial difficulties meant that the opening has been postponed from a summer opening.
Blue Reef will employ 40 staff and will feature over 45 displays including a tropical Caribbean tank featuring black tip sharks, an Amazon display and, perhaps more uniquely, a Lundy feature which will include fish and reptiles native to the island in the Bristol Channel.
Mr Ian Cunningham, managing director of the Blue Reef said We are delighted to be involved in creating what will be a world-class aquarium in a fantastic location. He emphasized that the displays will be accessible to all ages.
In addition to the Newquay and Bristol aquariums, Blue Reef also have aquariums in Portsmouth, Tynemouth, Cornwall and Hastings. The Bristol aquarium will be the largest covering 6,500 square feet.