Conservation
The Lakes Aquarium is involved in conservation projects on a local, national and even international basis.
CBD-Habitat foundation’s monk seal conservation project
Current conservation projects
- We are actively involved in an international fundraising and awareness campaign for the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. This project is a collective effort with all other Parques Reunidos zoos and aquariums across Europe.
- The Lakes Aquarium team participate in river survey work on the River Kent and River Leven in partnership with the South Cumbria Rivers Trust. The aim of this work is to evaluate and monitor the salmonid population in rivers in the local area. Aquarium staff take part in this survey work and use their specialised knowledge and skills to help the trust complete the required work. Electro fishing is carried out to establish the fish populations in the river systems. Once the populations have been established they will then be monitored over time to detect any trends.
- We have also been involved in FAITAG project in partnership with English Nature to hatch and rear Vendace, a local protected fish species.
Establishing fish populations on the river Kent
Partnership organisations
- Tourism & Conservation Partnership members since 2001, we have raised a total of £4500 through the highest earning donations box. Through this scheme we have supported reedbed restoration projects.
- We have also worked with the Morecambe Bay Partnership on fundraising and awareness raising projects for numerous years.
- Workshops and demonstrations by the following organisations regularly take place at the aquarium, raising awareness of important conservation issues: Ravenglass coastal partnership, Cumbria Wildlife Trust (Save Our Squirrels), Furness Bat group, Carrio Raptors, Furness Owls, RSPB, Red Alert.
- We were proud supporters of South Cumbria Rivers Trust Educational Project & Experience the River 2008.
- The Lakes Aquarium has also promoted the Marine Conservation Society and Shark Trust by gathering signatures for petition campaigns.
- Staff have also attended workshops for conservation in the Irish Sea
