São Paulo – The biggest aquarium in the Middle East is set to open in Abu Dhabi early into next year. The National Aquarium at Al Qana will be home to 33,000 marine animals, and 70% of works have been completed, the Gulf Business magazine website reported this Thursday (11). (Pictured above is an artist’s rendering of the aquarium)
The venue will comprise ten zones on a 7,000 sqm area. Animals will include 250 endangered species, including the largest reptile in the UAE. One million visitors are expected each year.
“Through accredited educational programs and accessible information, people of all ages will be able to understand more about the marine world at The National Aquarium, fostering a deeper appreciation of the creatures, corals and plants that make the underwater realm so fascinating and worth protecting,” said general manager Paul Hamilton.
“All of the 33,000 creatures are responsibly and ethically-sourced and the facility will have 80 marine experts and specialists as part of the team,” Gulf Business said. “This is the 12th public aquarium that I’ve worked on and probably the most exciting, in terms of the scale, uniqueness and attention to detail,’ Hamilton added.
The aquarium is part of Barakah International Investment’s wider Al Qana project, slated for completion in Q4 2019. The development will feature “waterside eateries, the largest standalone cinema in Abu Dhabi, yacht marina, a wellness hub, a VR park, kids’ action zone, outdoor skatepark, and landscaped community spaces,” Gulf Business reported, in the Khor Al Maqta area, near Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
