According to the World Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) one of the most important factors influencing the reduction of biodiversity on Earth is overexploitation of species by humans. In the early 1970s, a special international agreement was established, called the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The Washington Convention, through a system of special permits, regulates the international (cross-border) trade in specimens of certain plant and animal species, as well as products derived from them, such as watch straps made of crocodile skin. Presently CITES covers about 30 thousand plant species and 5.6 thous. animal species. Species included in the Washington Convention are in 3 annexes (denoted by Roman numbers: I, II and III) and, depending on the annex they appear, the agreements differ slightly.
Aquarium is a shelter for animals from the CITES list. Some of them come from illegal transports detained in Poland by customs officers. Most of the CITES species in the aquarium are from Annex II.
Annex I
Contains a list of endangered species for which trade for commercial purposes is prohibited.
Annex II
Contains a list of species that are not necessarily endangered by extinction, but uncontrolled trading could quickly lead to their extinction. Therefore, the export or import of these species (as well as the products thereof) must be authorized.
Annex III
Lists the species that are protected in a given countries.
Gdynia Aquarium has been operating in Gdynia since 1971. For more than 30 years, it was called the Oceanographic Museum and Marine Aquarium of the Sea Fisheries Institute in Gdynia. Because the name was too long and became inadequate to the function of this place, the decision was made to change it to the Gdynia Aquarium. However, it is worth remembering the history of the institution that is inherent in the history of the Marine Institute of Fisheries – State Research Institute, which dates back to June 18, 1921.
MLR building, HelK. Demel and M. Siedlecki with the participants of the marine biology course – July, 1929Prof. dr K. Demel – the 60’sEmployees of MLR, Hel – 1938
Then, in Hel, the Marine Fisheries Laboratory was established. Its staff, including the adjunct professor Kazimierz Demel, began collecting natural specimens, which since 1924 was presented in MLR showcases and aquariums. At the end of the 20s of the last century, the collection counted a few hundred animal specimens and were presented at various exhibitions, eg in 1929 at the National Exhibition in Poznan. In the 1930s the collections were exhibited in the so-called “Baltic Museum”, which was one of the tourist attractions of Hel.
SturgeonWhale bonesPorbeagleThe shorthorn sculpin
In 1932, the Marine Fisheries Laboratory was renamed to the “Marine Station”, which at the turn of 1938/1939 was transferred to Gdynia to a newly built building on today’s avenue of Jan Paweł II 1. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of World War II, the part designed for the museum and aquarium has not been finished. In the post-war period there were three small museum rooms and one aquarium in the Institute building. Another change came in 1949, when the Marine Station was renamed to the “Marine Fisheries Institute”.
Construction of the Marine Station – 1938Construction of the Marine Station – 1938Marine Station in Gdynia – 1939Port of Gdynia 1938 – 1958
The rebuilding and the creation of the appropriate oceanographic museum was resumed in the late 1950s when the first technical projects were set up. But the proper construction and installation of aquariums began in 1969. The engineer responsible for that construction was Jan Banaszak, who was then the head of the Investment Department.
Construction work, building Aquarium in 1969-71Construction work, building Aquarium in 1969-71Construction work, building Aquarium in 1969-71Construction work, building Aquarium in 1969-71Construction work, building Aquarium in 1969-71Construction work, building Aquarium in 1969-71Construction work, building Aquarium in 1969-71Construction work, building Aquarium in 1969-71
In 1971, as part of the 50th anniversary of the Institute, the Oceanographic Museum and Marine Aquarium were opened. The launch of the museum was made possible thanks to the great work of the managers of the institution: Stanisław Kujawa and his successor – Dr. Kazimierz Siudziński. 34 aquariums presented animals and plants, both marine and freshwater. Museum specimens have been collected by the Institute’s employees since 1921 and donated by captains and sailors of the Polish merchant and fishing fleet. Some of the wall expositions from that period can be viewed until this day. The map of the bottom of the Baltic Sea at the central part of the Baltic Sea Room, also remembers the beginnings of the “Museum”.
Aquarium building, 70’sAquarium building, 70’sOpening of the Oceanographic Museum and Marine Aquarium – 1971, the first one on the right id Dr. S. KujawaAquarium Building, 1970-80
Further changes came in 2003, when the glass rotunda of the building was renewed and the first floor was now presenting a rich exposition of coral reef animals. Also this year, the name of the facility was changed to the Gdynia Aquarium. Two years later, two big snakes came to the Aquarium – the green anacondas. There was also a new aquarium exhibition – “At the border of Water and Land”. Along with the modernization of the exhibition, the aquarium education was developed. The Cinema and Conference Room, laboratories equipped with microscopes and computer equipment were established. In 2007. The Education Center has also prepared the Preschool Room full of marine toys, which are dedicated to the youngest. The Gdynia Aquarium is still modernized, enriched with new specimens, popular science events and certainly will surprise its quests many times more.
At the Border of Water and Land exhibition is on the second floor of the Gdynia Aquarium and houses 9 tanks. Presented here are fish, amphibians and reptiles that somehow connect two worlds in their lives – aquatic and terrestrial.
In the characteristic aquarium, reminiscent of a grotto with stalactite and stalagmite infiltrates, cave blinds live. These are fish whose body is devoid of pigment. In the natural environment they live in complete darkness, which has caused them to lose their sight through evolution. Their agile movement between the rock formations is possible thanks to the other senses, including balance and touch.
