The Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium is not your average mini aquarium. While it has your typical touch tanks and other exhibits it offers so much more to the 18,000 visitors who pass through their doors each year and to the youth employed at the aquarium.
Located in the picturesque coastal fishing community of Petty Harbour, the Mini Aquarium is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to fostering curiosity about Newfoundland and Labrador’s local marine environment. The Aquarium is also focused on inspiring personal and global sustainability actions – something that aligns nicely with Ocean Choice’s own commitments to sustainability.
“Giving to the Mini Aquarium is an investment in the province’s next generation of biologists, engineers, scientists, and innovators,” says Martin Sullivan, CEO of Ocean Choice. “The aquarium provides unmatched hands-on interaction with marine life, habitats, science communication, and so much more; providing youth with practical marine science experience – something that will hopefully result in more youth choosing career paths in these fields.”
As part of their programming, the Mini Aquarium Outreach Program brings hands-on marine science beyond the walls of the aquarium, providing off-site engagement to youth groups, schools, seniors and other community groups throughout the Avalon region. One of the goals of this program is to increase science literacy and knowledge of Newfoundland and Labrador’s local marine environment.
“We are extremely grateful to organizations such as Ocean Choice who see the value in supporting the programming and work that we carry out at the aquarium,” says Keith Moore, Executive Director, Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium. “Ocean Choice has been a longstanding supporter of ours which has allowed us to continue to grow and expand our programming.”
Ever wonder where the Aquarium gets their animals?
As part of their catch and release philosophy, all of the aquarium animals are carefully collected by scientific divers in the spring and are cared for and displayed in temporary habitats for four short months. At the end of the season, all of the marine creatures are safely returned to the harbours and bays from which they were borrowed.
One of the many highlights you can experience at the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium is their annual animal release party. It is a must see event!
For more information about the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium click here.