The annual stock-take takes place from Saturday, January 16th to Sunday, January 17th at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium with their own version of a ‘fishy census!’
Throughout the weekend, staff at the Southsea aquarium are inviting visitors to volunteer to help spot and record the number of certain species including sharks, rays and seahorses.
The experts at Blue Reef will then do an official check and the child who most accurately reports the population of each of the above animals will win a free Family Pass to the aquarium for them and their family.
Blue Reef’s Hannah Butt said: “January has traditionally always been the time of year when we do an official check on all our stock numbers.
“We thought it would be a good idea to involve the visitors in the whole process as well and turn it into a fun activity that everyone can take part in.
“Late last year we took delivery of a large number of fish and other marine creatures from an aquarium on the Isle of Wight which will all need to be accounted for.
“Obviously some creatures will be easier to count than others; the sharks are usually fairly straightforward, although there are a number of species that like to spend much of their time either hidden among the rocks or under the sand.
“Seahorses can be a little tricky and hermit crabs are always something of a guesstimate as it’s difficult to tell which shells are inhabited and which are currently vacant!” she added.
Issued by Blue Reef Aquarium. For more information and to arrange interviews and picture/filming opportunities please contact Hannah Butt on 02392 875222.
