Aqua World

Aqua World (アクアワールド・大洗, Akua Wārudo Oarai), formerly the Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium (茨城県大洗水族館, Ibaraki-ken Oarai suizokukan), is a 19,800 square metres (213,000 sq ft) aquarium in the Higashiibaraki District of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, North of Oarai port at the mouth of the Naka River. Many varieties of sea species, especially fish, can be found in Aqua World. The fee for entry varies according to the age group.

Aqua World
Aquarium logo
Aqua World
Date openedApril 2002 (as Aqua World)[1]
LocationOarai, Ibaraki, Japan
Coordinates36°20′00″N 140°35′38″E
Land area19,800 m2 (213,000 sq ft)[2]
No. of animals68,000[2]
No. of species580[2]
Total volume of tanks4,100 m3 (1,100,000 US gal)[2]
Annual visitors1,100,000 (2008)[3]
MembershipsJAZA[4]
Websitehttp://www.aquaworld-oarai.com/en

Exhibits

The aquarium contains 60 tanks, with a total tank volume of 4,100 cubic metres (1,100,000 US gal).[2] The largest tank contains 20,000 individuals of about 80 species. The shark tank contains two species of sharks,[3] and includes a tunnel which lets visitors walk under the fish.[1] The 270-cubic-metre (71,000 US gal) sunfish tank contains eight individual ocean sunfish.[3]

Marine mammals at the aquarium include sea otters, California sea lions, and spotted seals. Seabirds are represented by Humboldt penguins and tufted puffins.[5]

Museum

The third floor contain the Sea Life Museum and the Ocean Information Plaza. Hands-on exhibits in these areas let visitors learn about the anatomy and behavior of fish and other sea life. The exhibit contains sections on seaweed, plankton, and sharks, as well as a display where visitors can hear the calls of all 18 penguin species.[6]

Shows

The Ocean Theater has dolphin and whale shows, as well as an underwater viewing area.[1]

References
  1. "Aqua World Oarai Opens its Doors". alientimes.org. Alien Times. April 2002. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  2. "The Summary of the Facilities". aquaworld-oarai.com. Aqua World Oarai. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  3. "Message from Director". aquaworld-oarai.com. Aqua World Oarai. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  4. "Member's List/Aquarium". jazga.or.jp. JAZA. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  5. "Marine Mammals at Aqua World-Oarai". aquaworld-oarai.com. Aqua World Oarai. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  6. "The Museum Area". aquaworld-oarai.com. Aqua World Oarai. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
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