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The following article was adapted from an article that appeared in the May 2004 Ryedale Reporter magazine.

The Scarborough Sea-Life Centre and Marine Sanctuary

By David Marshall
of the Ryedale Aquarist Society, North Yorkshire, England
Aquarticles

Although the Scarborough Sea-Life Centre is less than 25 miles from our home it had been over four years since Sue and I had paid this aquatic attraction a visit. Having heard some excellent reports of how the Centre, under a new management structure, had gone through a re-vamp over the past couple of years we decided that we would make a return visit our Easter priority.

For the sake of those who are not familiar with the North Yorkshire town of Scarborough, the Sea-Life Centre can be found in an area to the east of the Town Centre that is known as Scalby Mills. Situated on the edge of the North Sea the area around the Centre allows for panoramic views of the local coastline and Castle headland. The Centre is part of a chain with several further Sea-Life establishments spread around the U.K. coastline, an inland Centre at Birmingham and new branches starting to appear on the European Mainland.

The Castle headland viewed at twilight from the Sea-Life car park.
Photo copyright Steve Jones

As we entered the exhibits we found ourselves facing a mountain stream exhibit, which is home to Brown Trout and Perch. I don't know why but such an opening exhibit appears to have become 'compulsory' in U.K. Public Aquaria.

Each section is named so we begin with 'Jurassic Seas'. The last time we were here 'Jurassic Seas' held an exhibit centered on the evolution of various aquatic life forms. Now it is home to the theme of diversity and adaptability and its 11 aquaria (which vary greatly in size and dimensions) are home to starfish, Axolotls and a number of fish species that carry the tag of 'visitor friendly'. To add to the atmosphere we have authentic jungle noises and the sound of flowing water. The combination works and I loved these displays.

The first of these aquaria was actually my favourite. A beautifully aquascaped tank of rock formations formed the backdrop for some very impressive Blue, Coral Blue and Tangerine Zebra Cichlids that were used to explain how all the Mbuna of Lake Malawi evolved from just one common ancestor.

To show how tropical marine fish adapted to a coral environment we have a very clever display in which all the main characters from 'Finding Nemo' are here in true life forms. The visiting kiddies knew each and every one and were shouting out their names. Clownfish, Humbugfish and Regal Tang will never be looked at in the same light again?

Sadly many of the kiddies bypassed a real treat because, a couple of aquaria down, you find a terrific display of Lionfish. The colour and beautiful array of fancy fins these fish show masks their venomous side. I stood there transfixed by the majestic way they literally glide through their watery world. To add to the effect this aquaria also houses the largest Moray Eel I have seen for many a year.

Now no display could show us shoaling and teamwork behaviour without turning to those great favourites the Red-Breasted Piranha. Beautiful biotope with vines and crawling plants etc. above the waterline (although Sue realised long before I did that these were all made from a plastic-like material) and Mopani wood and various aquatic plants in with the fish themselves. From their reaction to 'human stares' and the way in which these fish were treating each other it was obvious that they were new to this exhibit and thus are going to need the time to settle before displaying to their full effect.

Now we move onto 'Jellyfish'. Sadly this 'new exhibit', consisting of 5 aquaria, was not yet complete at the time of our visit but when up-and-running promises to provide a very interesting glimpse into the world of these very strange, and ancient, creatures.

The 'Quayside' is as I remembered it with a large opened topped aquaria surrounded by painted shop fronts and the sound of Seagulls (on tape I should add). Through the large viewing windows we see a large shoals of Ling and Bass actively swimming around in mid-water. On the basement floor are scurrying Turbot who share their home with two Anarhicas wolf-fish. In their natural habitat the favourite prey of wolf-fish are sea urchins and when these two show their very impressive dentition it is easy to see how they crunch their ways through this prey.

Now we move onto 'Visitors' and here we find several aquaria containing marine creatures that are not normally found around the U.K. coastline but have 'washed in' through wayward currents. Two beautiful, and large, Triggerfish were the highlight for me.

'Sandbanks' is a large round opened a topped aquarium that is complete with viewing platform. Here we find various Rays, Smooth Hound, a shoal of Bream and some very beautiful Gurnard. There was a time when this was the no.1 attraction but new regulations prevent the touching of the Rays mean that this exhibit is, sadly, low down on the visitors 'stay and look' list now.

For children, and the young at heart, 'Touch pool' is an excellent exhibit and contains creatures found in the Scalby Mills rock pools.

Now we move outside to see the first of several exhibits highlighting the work of SOS Sea-Life. Basically this is a worldwide conservation programme in which all of the chains U.K. and European Mainland Centres co-operate to raise funds for the conservation and welfare of a number of marine and freshwater creatures.

First SOS exhibit is the beautifully landscaped 'Asian Otter River'. The pair of Otters here know that they are stars and do all they can to entertain 'their' adoring public. Next comes 'Humboldt Penguins' with their cute expressions. 'Seal Hospital' does fantastic work for injured Seals found along the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coastline. The 'Grey Seal Pool' contains several fully recovered Seals who, sadly, are unable to be returned to the wild.

Back inside we find ourselves in the 'Turtle Tunnel'. This walkthrough exhibit is home to two large Greek Turtles, to injured to be returned to the wild, Black-tipped Sharks and shoals of various tropical marine fish. My favourites were the Finger Fish as they swam around in unison. Now at the time of our visit the lighting system for this exhibit was not fully functional so as the Turtles loomed at the main viewing window a number of children were so scared that they screamed and cried.

Thankfully 'Kingdom of the Seahorse' quickly calmed them down. The four displays are well set out and the health of their occupants could be seen through the amount of tiny Seahorses swimming around with their parents. A visit ends with the 'Resources Centre' and this carries on the excellent range of information available to visiting children on the various fish and other creatures they have seen during their visit. A cafeteria and gift shop follow.

Seahorse
Photo copyright Mrs Jackie Goulder

In conclusion this attraction, which has moved from displaying marine creatures found around the U.K.coastline to those of a worldwide interest, is well worth a visit.