This Sunday, June 7, pirates will be invading a top north-east attraction in a bid to stake their claim on the world’s seas and oceans. The mischievous crew will be spending the day at Macduff Marine Aquarium, canvassing visitors and drumming up support and awareness of the natural marine environment. The loveable rogues will be taking part in World Oceans Day, an international event that draws attention to that amazing diversity of our seas and oceans and life beneath the waves.
The pirates’ crusade is supported by local community radio station Deveron FM, which will be playing music outside the aquarium, while Whale and Dolphin Conservation will be spying for passing marine mammals with their “big eyes”. Aberdeenshire Ranger Service will take visitors to the beach to have a guddle in the rock pools.
Inside the aquarium, visitors will have the chance to get up close to all kinds of sea life found around the Moray Firth, from the shallow waters filled with tiny sea snails and cheeky rock-pool fish down to the deep-sea floor where super sharks and funny flatfish hide. Youngsters can take part in games, art activities and a quest to follow cryptic clues left by the pirates, which will lead them to the location of the hidden treasure.
Enthusiastic pirate fans are invited to dress up for the occasion. Talks and feed shows run throughout the day and, at 2pm, divers will feed the aquarium’s fish in the main tank and attempt to find the pirates’ hidden loot. Sandra Bisset, aquarium learning officer, said: “World Oceans Day is an opportunity to get out and enjoy the marine environment. Whether you have a walk on the beach, take a boat trip, or come and find out more at the aquarium, you’ll be surprised just how exciting the sea can be. We are very much looking forward to the arrival of the pirates and learning about their stories of life on the waves. I’m sure they have some great tales.”
The event runs from 11am-5pm on Sunday, June 7. Usual admission prices apply; free admission for Friends of Macduff Marine Aquarium. Contact: 01261 833369.