Fisheries and Aquaculture
June 9, 2014
Building Awareness of Ocean Resources
Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium Receives Additional $10,000 Investment
The Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium is now open for the 2014 season, thanks in part to $10,000 of continued support from the Provincial Government. The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced the funding yesterday when the facility was reopened as part of World Oceans Day celebrations.
“The Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium is a fantastic project that has shown great success in its first year. The Provincial Government is pleased to provide an additional $10,000 in funding to this organization, which engages the public and especially youth with great information and experiences involving marine species.”
- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
This investment builds on more than $30,000 provided last year to help establish the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium, which operates seasonally from June to October. This year’s funding will be used to start a Marine Legacy Program, which will create new opportunities for young students to gain valuable learning experiences and expand their understanding of career paths in marine science. This educational program will also provide valuable work experience to undergraduate students working at the mini aquarium.
“It is very exciting to be open again and engaging people for a second year. We had such a great response last year, and are looking forward to building on that initial success with repeat and new visitors. The mini aquarium is a unique, fun, and interactive learning environment, and we thank the Provincial Government for continuing to support our efforts to engage people with marine life.”
- Melanie Knight, Founder of the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium
Located in the Petty Harbour Co-Op Building, the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium is a non-profit marine public education centre. The Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium is opened to the public seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Additional information on the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium and opening activities can be found on their website, www.miniaqua.org .
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government will be providing $10,000 of funding for the Marine Legacy Program at the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium.
- The mission of the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium is to foster curiosity about local marine life and inspire action toward personal and global sustainability through display, interpretation and direct action.
- Support for the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium is in keeping with the Education and Awareness strategic goal of the Provincial Government’s Coastal and Ocean Management Strategy and Policy, which addresses the need to involve youth in coastal and ocean activities.
- Funding was provided under the Sustainable Fisheries and Oceans Policy Division.
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Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 699-0470 JasonCard@gov.nl.ca |
Melanie Knight
Founder/Executive Director Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium 709-330-3474 melanie@miniaqua.org |
2014 06 09 9:50 a.m.