On the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, the Ucluelet Aquarium has a uniquely sustainable approach to exhibiting marine animals without harming them in any way. All specimens in their displays are collected from the Pacific Ocean, mainly from Barkley Sound and Clayoquot Sound, and are released back into the ocean after spending a summer vacation in popular Ucluelet.
Most specimens are collected by scuba divers, by aquarium staff at low tide, or by hand-seining along beaches, which allows staff to return untargeted species to the water. The aquarium continuously pumps fresh sea water through its exhibits to increase the diversity of life and provide an environment that is as natural as possible.
The Ucluelet Aquarium on Ucluelet Harbour, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Tomorrow is the official opening day for the non-profit public Ucluelet Aquarium, with free entry until 5pm. Ucluelet Aquarium offers great family fun and a chance to welcome the star of the show, the Giant Pacific Octopus, and discover the amazing marine life that inhabits the waters of Vancouver Island.
If you can’t make it to Saturday’s opening or visit during the season, another hands-on experience is available when volunteers assist aquarium staff at the end of the season in early December, to release all specimens to the locations where they were captured.
Ucluelet Aquarium
180 Main Street
Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0
Phone: 250-726-2782
Website: www.UclueletAquarium.org
Related Post: Release Day at Ucluelet Aquarium (December 4th, 2014)
Featured Image: Giant Pacific Octopus. Photo: BritishColumbia.com
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