Champney’s West Public Aquarium

Champney’s West, Trinity Bay is a small fishing community (population approximately 75) on the Bonavista Peninsula. The Ocean Sciences Centre Public Education Program has partnered with the Champney’s West Heritage Group to establish a public marine aquarium and learning centre. A 60 x 40 foot building was constructed on the waters edge and houses 14 aquaria of various sizes (up to 4 x 4 x 4 ft) and a small classroom. Personnel from the Ocean Sciences Centre and the Biology Department have contributed expertise in all aspects of the project from design, fund raising, sea water delivery, animal husbandry, training of interpreters, etc. The facility provides a platform to allow the OSC to meet its mandate of educating the general public about marine life and the marine environment while at the same time providing employment opportunities for local residents. As well, the aquarium provides the community with a social and cultural link to its fishing based heritage. Most recently the Public Engagement Accelerator Fund provided support to allow the project to be brought to fruition in completing the delivery of sea water to individual aquaria and the training of local personnel in aquarium maintenance and display interpretation.