THE SCARBOROUGH SEA-LIFE CENTRE AND MARINE SANCTUARY

Text and photographs by David Marshall

As Sue and I had not visited the Scarborough Sea-Life Centre, or Burniston Pyramids as it is alternatively known, for a while we expected to find one or two changes but what a surprise awaited us as it was as though the whole display area had been virtually re-furbished. Never have we seen the whole attraction looking so good and so clean.

As of August 2006 the displays are as follows-

Area 1 - Jurassic Seas (at one time evolutionary themed). Here you will find 4 tropical marine, 2 tropical freshwater, 1 brackish, a Sturgeon, a Soft Shell Turtle and Axolotl exhibit. For me the highlight was a lovely Rift Valley aquarium in which various Mbuna had the strange companionship of Fingerfish (normally associated with a brackish set-up) but all seemed to be getting along really well. Fellow visitors were captivated by the sight of a beautiful group of marine Lionfish.

Area 2 - Jellyfish. Here are 5 exhibits featuring Upside-down, Compass, Moon, Lagoon and Edible Jellyfish. The darkness of the area and special lighting adds to the amazing movement and looks of these most ancient of creatures. From what one of the Aquarists' here told me all of the Jellyfish demand a specialist diet of the smallest living foods (either fresh or frozen) the Centre can obtain.

Area 3 - Claws. Five marine exhibits highlighted by the amazing sight of a group of Japanese Giant Crabs who prowl the floor of their aquarium on the constant watch for food. The Striped Catfish are well worth looking out for.

Area 4 - Ray Pool. Always a visitor favourite here various Ray species share their home with Mullet and Gurnard.

Area 5 - Asian Short-clawed Otters. What a lovely display area the Otters have and the riverbank decor allows them plenty of opportunities to escape the visitors glare - so much so that we failed to catch even a fleeting glance (perhaps the noise of kiddies 'panning for gold' in the adjacent, and well themed, 'Gold Rush' play area had something to do with this?)

Area 6 - Humbolt Penguins. The wire around this exhibit protects these wonderful birds from fox predation, visiting birds which may carry the threat of avian flu and the temptation of human visitors to 'pick up a Penguin' (a couple of years ago one Penguin was recovered from a Scarborough housing estate). What lovely creatures these are and if you are lucky to see them dive into the water special viewing areas allow you spectacular insights into this aspect of their lives.

Area 7 - Grey Seal Rescue Area and Recovery Pool. Here orphaned pups and injured adults are nursed back to health before making their return, in most cases, to the North Sea. A valuable part of the Centres work.

Area 8 - Turtle Reef. A wonderful acrylic tunnel walk with rescued Turtles swimming in the company of a number of fish species including Panther Grouper, Leopard Shark, Wimplefish, Black-tip Reef Shark and Yellow Tang.

Area 9 - Kingdom of the Seahorse. Here are displayed various Seahorse and Pipefish species. Watch closely and you may, as we did, spot newly released baby Seahorses swimming around the kelp. Here was the 'kiddies favourite' with an aquarium displaying living specimens of all their 'Nemo' favourites.

Area 10 - Upstairs now to view the acrylic tunnel walk from above and see the wonderful displays in the coral propagation units. Here were some wonderful Humbug and Maroon Clownfish.

Finally we come to the cafeteria area, which you avoid by an alternative exit. As is typical of U.K. Public Aquaria children's items dominate the gift shop area.

Well done to the Scarborough Sea-Life Centre Management Team for really bringing the Centre to life.

The Scarborough Sea-Life Centre is located in the Scalby Mills area of the town. If travelling by car follow signs for the A165 Burniston Road while watching for the brown tourist attraction signs. If travelling by rail depart from the Railway Station and walk right into the main shopping area and down the remainder bookshop side of the Brunswick Centre you will find the stop for bus 3A that takes you within a couple of minutes walk from the main entrance. Alternatively you can enjoy the seafront walk from the famous Corner Café.