Aquarium upgrade is a huge disappointment
Dear Editor:
I must admit that my family and I were quite saddened by all the “upgrades” done to the Maine State Aquarium. The aquarium has a special place in our hearts and is somewhere we have been going as part of our yearly visits to Boothbay Harbor. Having been eagerly awaiting the opening of the aquarium for the last three years, we finally were able to make a trip back up.
I am not sure where to begin but the place is severely lacking in anything aquarium like…for example…fish! There were hardly any fish or other sea creatures at all! Everything from the previous aquarium had been removed including the large shark touch tank and its wonderful touch tank. Now there is only a small touch tank with very few animals, long lines, and only two-finger touching when you finally get to it. In the past, staff taught us how to properly hold the numerous sea creatures allowing us to really learn because we truly connected with the animals.
One of the other big disappointments was the fishing dock and other outdoor exhibits no longer being there. That dock is where our daughter caught her first fish in fourth grade, which she still talks about to this day. Even the large map, that people pinned where they were visiting from was part of the experience. My daughter loved seeing that people all over the country had been there.
I understand that this is not a large city aquarium but there is just so much missing, and anything interactive for learning was removed with the renovation. Thank goodness admission was free, but I must say the disappointment remains. I really hope they can add some more creatures in the tanks and more hands-on experiences so the younger generations can enjoy what my daughter did years ago. She is now starting her junior year in high school and wants to be a Marine Biologist, all because of what the Maine State Aquarium taught her when she was younger.
Rose Rourke
Westminster, Massachusetts
