The historic East London Aquarium has been temporarily closed for repairs to damage caused by the same swells that wreaked havoc on the neighbouring stretch of East London’s Esplanade at the end of August last year.
BCM spokeswoman Bathandwa Diamond said: “An assessment was done and it tallied up to a total of R2.8-million . The repairs are expected to take a total of six months.
“The first phase has commenced and will run for two months. The enquiry section of the aquarium is open to the public but actual viewing has been prohibited.”
Diamond said strong waves had damaged the seal pool, the water supply, the deck over the sharks and the ray pool.
“Worst of all, the whale watching deck had been totally destroyed and washed away by the swells.
“Further damage occurred to outside ablutions, electrical systems and the enviro centre,” she said.
Siani Tinley, acting senior manager of marine and zoological services, said the most urgent repairs would be to the whale watching deck, seal exhibit, access to the education centre and the education centre itself.
“The location of the aquarium – so close to the high tide mark – makes it very vulnerable,” said Tinley.
“We have had sea damage twice in the past 15 years. Each time the damage has been more severe than the last. The issue of climate change and more severe sea conditions becomes obvious when you look back over the last 15 years,” said Tinley.
She said that at the time of the swells the seals were exposed to high waves and floating debris, with one of the seals, Ruff, being washed out to sea where she went missing for 10 days before she was found and returned to the aquarium in good health.
During the repairs the animals will not be affected as the aquarium will work closely with the contractors.
“It is estimated the repairs will take around six months and we would not like to close our doors to the public for that entire time.
“Our aquarium reception point will be open every day during these six months for public queries, boat registrations, deliveries and any stranded animals along our coastline,” said Tinley.
She said that there would be precautions taken to prevent something like this from happening again in the form of “a feasibility study to be taken on the relocation of the aquarium these challenges will certainly be included in the study and possible feasible future sights”.
This is not the first time relocation has been discussed. In 2014 an engineering report found that seawater was seeping into the facility’s concrete pillars, causing its steel reinforcements to rust and sparking talks of relocating the aquarium.
The aquarium was officially opened in December 1931.
Aquarium closed for storm damage repairs: Some sections to remain open for inquiries
BCM spokeswoman Bathandwa Diamond said: “An assessment was done and it tallied up to a total of R2.8-million . The repairs are expected to take a total of six months.
“The first phase has commenced and will run for two months. The enquiry section of the aquarium is open to the public but actual viewing has been prohibited.”
Diamond said strong waves had damaged the seal pool, the water supply, the deck over the sharks and the ray pool.
“Worst of all, the whale watching deck had been totally destroyed and washed away by the swells.
“Further damage occurred to outside ablutions, electrical systems and the enviro centre,” she said.
Siani Tinley, acting senior manager of marine and zoological services, said the most urgent repairs would be to the whale watching deck, seal exhibit, access to the education centre and the education centre itself.
“The location of the aquarium – so close to the high tide mark – makes it very vulnerable,” said Tinley.
“We have had sea damage twice in the past 15 years. Each time the damage has been more severe than the last. The issue of climate change and more severe sea conditions becomes obvious when you look back over the last 15 years,” said Tinley.
She said that at the time of the swells the seals were exposed to high waves and floating debris, with one of the seals, Ruff, being washed out to sea where she went missing for 10 days before she was found and returned to the aquarium in good health.
During the repairs the animals will not be affected as the aquarium will work closely with the contractors.
“It is estimated the repairs will take around six months and we would not like to close our doors to the public for that entire time.
“Our aquarium reception point will be open every day during these six months for public queries, boat registrations, deliveries and any stranded animals along our coastline,” said Tinley.
She said that there would be precautions taken to prevent something like this from happening again in the form of “a feasibility study to be taken on the relocation of the aquarium these challenges will certainly be included in the study and possible feasible future sights”.
This is not the first time relocation has been discussed. In 2014 an engineering report found that seawater was seeping into the facility’s concrete pillars, causing its steel reinforcements to rust and sparking talks of relocating the aquarium.
The aquarium was officially opened in December 1931.
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