Abu Dhabi aquarium to host exhibition about healing oceans curated by National Geographic

Event dives into sea and marine life protection through photography and film

The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi opened to the public in November. All photos by Ruel Pableo for The National

It is the first attraction to open in Al Qana, a new waterfront destination.

Inside The Sub, one of 10 zones in the aquarium.

The Red Sea Wreck zone.

The UAE's Natural Treasures zone.

The Ring of Fire zone where guests can learn about volcanic caves and how islands are formed.

Children outside of the National Aquarium on opening day.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or online. Prices start at Dh105 ($28).

Visitors explore the Red Sea Wreck zone.

The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is set to be joined by other attractions at Al Qana.

The aquarium is home to 46,000 creatures, representing 300 species.

Covering more than 9,000 square metres, it is the largest aquarium in the Middle East.

An underwater tunnel at the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi.

Visitors can book the aquarium tour or a behind-the-scenes tour.

The Flooded Forest zone is home to Super Snake – a female reticulated python, aged 14, that weighs 115 kilograms.

Inside the Red Sea Wreck zone visitors can can come face-to-fin with hundreds of fish.

At the Atlantic Cave zone visitors can discover what really lives beneath the ocean's surface.

The Frozen Ocean zone.

The Ocean Magic zone.

Inside Bu Tinah Island zone.

The Ocean Magic zone contains a car filled with fishes.

The Flooded Forest zone.

The UAE's Natural Treasures zone explores the country's rich pearl diving history.

The National Aquarium in Al Qana will host an audio-visual exhibition curated by National Geographic from April 21.

The showcase, called Pristine Seas: Bringing the Ocean Back, will use more than a decade’s worth of global expeditions conducted by the National Geographic Pristine Seas project to document ways to protect the ocean so that it can heal, rebound and regenerate.

It will also highlight the importance of marine protected areas for restoring the world’s oceans. Through the exhibition’s narrative, photography and film, visitors will learn how the Pristine Seas team supports indigenous people, local communities and governments in the creation of those protected spaces.

There will also be a lecture series by Pristine Seas expedition leader Paul Rose on April 22 and April 23 at 2pm. He will discuss stories from their work and shed light on the challenges facing the planet.

“This exhibition is a testament to the Pristine Seas team’s unyielding commitment to safeguarding the blue heart of our planet,” said Tony Luckett, National Geographic's vice president of business development. “The Pristine Seas team combines exploration and rigorous research with powerful storytelling. The goal of this exhibition is to immerse visitors in the beauty of the sea while reiterating why we must preserve it.”

Paul Hamilton, general manager of The National Aquarium, added: "We are delighted to collaborate with National Geographic to bring the Pristine Seas Exhibition to the emirate as a part of our shared commitment to raising awareness about protecting our marine environment. The exhibition will not only allow our visitors to learn more about and explore our oceans but also to understand the threats to the survival of these habitats and wider climate change issues."

More information is available at www.thenationalaquarium.ae