Aquarium’s doors may close until end of 2024
• Repairs set to extend lifespan
When the main tank is drained, rare species will be kept in a quarantine area, while common species will be released back into the ocean.
Swakopmund residents and holidaymakers will have to miss a visit to the National Marine Aquarium this festive season as its doors will remain closed due to repairs - possibly until the end of next year.
"It is unfortunate that the aquarium has to be closed during the 2023/2024 holiday season. However, the rehabilitation of the aquarium and the safety of our visitors are our priorities at this stage," fisheries ministry spokesperson Uaripi Katjiukua told Namibia Media Holdings.
According to her, the ministry cannot say how long the aquarium will be closed, as most of the damage is to the internal concrete structures. The extent of the damage will apparently only be determined by opening up the areas to see what the best rehabilitation procedures will be.
“The aquarium will be closed for a long period of time. It could be a few months or even until the end of 2024," Katjiukua said.
However, the ministry - which has managed the aquarium since its inauguration in 1995 - is confident that the repairs and rehabilitation will extend the aquarium's lifespan to everyone's benefit.
The cost of the repairs has not yet been determined. According to Katjiukua, this will only become clear after the extent of the damage is determined.
"Years of exposure to seawater caused damage to many of the external and internal concrete structures as well as the reinforcement steel in the concrete."
Fish released back into ocean
The main attraction of the aquarium is an oval tank with a capacity of 320 000 litres of water and an eight-metre acrylic viewing tunnel. It hosts most of Namibia's angling species, including cod and black bream, as well as thresher sharks and green turtles.
The ministry said it will do its best to maintain the exhibit at the aquarium, but the main tank will likely need to be drained.
"When that time comes, the rare species will be kept in our quarantine area, but most of the more common species will have to be thrown back into the sea," Katjiukua said.
Repairs
The 11 concrete pillars around the main tank will be replaced, while its concrete walls and the seal between it and the upper floor will be repaired.
The room housing the aquarium's pumps, filters and electrical control board, amongst other things, will have its concrete roof and floor replaced.
Further repairs will be done to the wooden structures of the ceiling and displays, the concrete structure of the rock lobster tank and the roof structures on the outside of the building. The dry displays, small tanks and information displays will also be renovated.
"The ministry is at an advanced stage of consultation with the ministry of works and transport, and specifications of the civil, electrical and mechanical works on the pillars and operational plant of the aquarium have been compiled."
"It is unfortunate that the aquarium has to be closed during the 2023/2024 holiday season. However, the rehabilitation of the aquarium and the safety of our visitors are our priorities at this stage," fisheries ministry spokesperson Uaripi Katjiukua told Namibia Media Holdings.
According to her, the ministry cannot say how long the aquarium will be closed, as most of the damage is to the internal concrete structures. The extent of the damage will apparently only be determined by opening up the areas to see what the best rehabilitation procedures will be.
“The aquarium will be closed for a long period of time. It could be a few months or even until the end of 2024," Katjiukua said.
However, the ministry - which has managed the aquarium since its inauguration in 1995 - is confident that the repairs and rehabilitation will extend the aquarium's lifespan to everyone's benefit.
The cost of the repairs has not yet been determined. According to Katjiukua, this will only become clear after the extent of the damage is determined.
"Years of exposure to seawater caused damage to many of the external and internal concrete structures as well as the reinforcement steel in the concrete."
Fish released back into ocean
The main attraction of the aquarium is an oval tank with a capacity of 320 000 litres of water and an eight-metre acrylic viewing tunnel. It hosts most of Namibia's angling species, including cod and black bream, as well as thresher sharks and green turtles.
The ministry said it will do its best to maintain the exhibit at the aquarium, but the main tank will likely need to be drained.
"When that time comes, the rare species will be kept in our quarantine area, but most of the more common species will have to be thrown back into the sea," Katjiukua said.
Repairs
The 11 concrete pillars around the main tank will be replaced, while its concrete walls and the seal between it and the upper floor will be repaired.
The room housing the aquarium's pumps, filters and electrical control board, amongst other things, will have its concrete roof and floor replaced.
Further repairs will be done to the wooden structures of the ceiling and displays, the concrete structure of the rock lobster tank and the roof structures on the outside of the building. The dry displays, small tanks and information displays will also be renovated.
"The ministry is at an advanced stage of consultation with the ministry of works and transport, and specifications of the civil, electrical and mechanical works on the pillars and operational plant of the aquarium have been compiled."
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