Oceanarium

An oceanarium is a public facility dedicated to displaying living marine organisms, typically organized around large seawater tanks that recreate ocean habitats. The term overlaps with aquarium in some regions, but oceanaria are usually larger in scale and emphasize immersive viewing experiences, such as transparent tunnels or wide-angle windows that immerse visitors in the marine environment. Exhibits may span coral reefs, kelp forests, seagrass beds, and open-ocean zones.

Maintenance relies on sophisticated life-support systems that circulate, filter, and chemically treat seawater to maintain stable salinity, temperature, pH, and oxygen. Enclosures range from multiple interconnected tanks to immersive galleries. Staff, including aquarists and veterinarians, perform daily husbandry, monitoring, feeding, and enrichment to support health and behavior across a variety of species, from invertebrates to fish and some larger marine life.

Functions include public education, conservation outreach, and scientific research. Many oceanaria participate in breeding programs for threatened species and collaborate with universities. Some operate rescue and rehabilitation efforts and offer guided tours, feeding demonstrations, and interactive experiences for visitors.

Ethical considerations center on animal welfare, enclosure design, energy use, and the broader environmental footprint. Proponents argue that well-managed facilities advance knowledge, training, and conservation, while critics urge strict welfare standards and transparency about captivity trade-offs.

Notable examples include Oceanário de Lisboa in Portugal and other large-scale institutions worldwide.