Record-breaking year for Portrush seaside attraction: Success shows 'growing appetite for learning about our marine environment', says minister
A Portrush tourist attraction has had a record-breaking year, more people visiting the seaside centre than ever before.
Housed in what used to be a Victorian bathhouse, Portrush Coastal Zone offers exhibits, activities and discovery pools and tanks giving details of Northern Ireland's marine wildlife and heritage.
Run by Stormont's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera), it also hosts a viewing platform that can offer views of passing dolphins, seals and porpoises.
Figures released today show that a total of 61,315 visitors have come to the centre this year, the largest amount to walk through its doors since it opened,
The figures also show 1,310 people participated in educational activities during 37 school and community group visits.
This year brought a number of new and enhanced attractions to the centre, with the largest preserved thresher shark in the UK on display while exhibits were updated, interpretation panels improved an immersive marine wildlife video produced by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group on show.
One of the season's most popular attractions, said officials, has been an exhibit in the centre's aquarium facilities showing the development of small-spotted catshark egg cases.
It provided a rare opportunity for visitors to observe shark embryos developing up close and learn more about the lifecycle of a species commonly found in Northern Ireland's waters, they stated.
The site was recently visited by Daera minister Andrew Muir, who said the centre's success shows the public's “growing appetite for learning about our marine environment”.
Said Mr Muir: “Through its educational programmes, exhibits and outreach work, the centre is helping people of all ages better understand and appreciate Northern Ireland's rich marine heritage.”
Earlier this year the centre was used to launch a new environmental strategy aimed at protecting sharks, skates and rays in the sea – animals the minister said “play a vital role in maintaining healthy, resilient marine ecosystems”.
He added: “By working together, we can improve our understanding, strengthen protection for the habitats they rely on, and help secure a better future for these remarkable species in Northern Ireland waters."
The Coastal Zone team also runs outreach events and partnership activities with communities across Northern Ireland, and has delivered marine awareness training for beach wardens.