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  Karina Jozami |
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| In an amusing and educational tour, the new Acuario Ushuaia exhibits all the species dwelling the waters of the channel. |
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Verónica, from the Yiska travel agency, invited me to visit the Acuario Ushuaia. With an undercover surface of 700 m2, somewhat away from the center, the 5,000-meter lawn with natural shore gives an incredible panoramic view of the Beagle Channel. Before we arrived, Verónica told me the history of this project, which at present is undergoing its first stage.
The idea of the creation of an aquarium emerged from a group of researchers from the Tierra del Fuego Sea Biology Center, interested in spreading knowledge about sea life in sub-antarctic ecosystems. But in turn, the aim scope reached research and field work in order to manage a process of species repopulation, mainly those which, due to their commercial exploitation, are highly endangered. The most difficult task was to get the place. Paradoxically, it turned out to be what had once been the base for a seafood and spider crab processing plant. After recycling the facilities of the old fishing plant, a multidisciplinary team of biologists, engineers and safety counselors designed the aquarium, which recreates the sub-antarctic life conditions. At present, local anglers and diving teams contribute with the growth of the aquarium population, providing specimens they catch during their daily activities. |
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Sub-antarctic Dwellers
As if we were getting into the depths of the sea, we entered a dark cold environment teeming with life in the lighted fishtanks. Just like in the waters of the Beagle, the habitat of countless species is reproduced. In the first tanks, we can observe stars and other echinodermata such as the sea urchins and sea cuccumbers. In the channel, it is very common to find small orange starfish, such as the patiria and the patiriella, under the rocks in shallow depths. In the rock cracks, the brittle stars or fragile starfish usually hide and, further deep, the voracious violet cosmasterias lurida usually appear, as well as the purple sunstar, which can present more than 10 arms. Verónica explained that the origin of animal life started in the cachiyuyos, a brown macro alga growing in the Beagle whose scientific name is macrocystis pyrifera. In the next tanks, we found several crustaceans such as the spider crab, with its long limbs, and the lobsters, such as the munida gregaria and the subrugosa, with large claws, as well as chitons and toritos. |
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We continued the tour along the corridors with the tanks dwelled by sea bass, sharks, octopuses and spider crabs -some of them had just changed their skin- to both sides. In the final stretch, the larger tanks concentrate several specimens of each species, in the same way they are presented at the bottom of the Beagle.
The aquarium is completed with a submarine photographic exhibition done by photographer and diver Héctor Monsalve, as well as an exhibition of bone remains of submarine animals. With the firm purpose of continuing to grow, the center in charge of the aquarium will remodel the pier and enlarge its facilities by building new halls. Thus, Acuario Ushuaia provides all visitors a complete knowledge about sea life dwelling the Tierra del Fuego coasts. |
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To Take into Account
Open Hours: from 12am to 8pm Duration: 1 hour. |
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See also: Hotels in Ushuaia and other accommodation venues |
| Contact: Ushuaia Aquarium Av. Perito Moreno 2564 (9410) Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego Tel: +54 (2901) 42-2980 |
| Back to Ushuaia |
© 2003-2008 Total or partial reproduction forbidden. Derechos de Autor 675246 Ley 11723