Namibia: National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund closed to the public until further notice!

The Namibian Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has announced that the National Marine Aquarium in the coastal town of Swakopmund is closed to the public with immediate effect due to major repairs and rehabilitation work to be conducted in the facility. According to the Ministry, years of exposure to seawater has caused damage to many of the external and internal concrete structures of the Aquarium as well as the steel reinforcing inside the concrete. The extent of the structural damage is not known yet, so that the exact period of the closure can currently not be determined. However, the Ministry expects the closure to last "for several months, or even up to the end of 2024." We'll keep you posted!

The National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund was inaugurated by former Namibian President Dr. Sam Nujoma in 1995. The main display of the Aquarium is the oval tank with a capacity of 320 000 liters of seawater and an eight meter acrylic viewing tunnel. It hosts most of the Namibian angling fish species, such as cob, galjoen, steenbras and kolstert. Intertidal specimens are displayed in 17 smaller exhibits.