The National Aquarium of Cuba is a scientific research center specialized in environmental education and disclosure of the flora, fauna and ecology of the marine environment. Its main objective is to increase both culture and education concerning care, conservation and rational use of sea, its resources, and coasts.
Original building at Miramar district where the National Aquarium of Cuba was initially established on January 23rd 1960.
In late 1960 were also created other national institutions having as main original staff a small group of specialists who worked previously in that first building and would later assume functions in the field of marine research. Main objective in those days was the creation of a new place devoted to what would be, and in fact is nowadays, the NATIONAL AQUARIUM OF CUBA. This new place opened its doors to the public on January 23rd 1960 showing its visitors the simple fishbowls installed by that time.
1960-62
The initially installed 13 small-volume fishbowls allowed first visitors of the Aquarium to see and be interrelated with alive fish and marine invertebrates. From that moment onwards the number of fishbowls and tanks increased steadily resulting in greater capacities and therefore in a wider exhibit of tropical marine flora and fauna.
In 1973 the Aquarium received the first marine mammal, a seal Artocephalus pusillus baptized with the name of "Silvia". Silvia turned out soon to be the most popular and attractive animal of the institution and also a pattern to be used by the specialists for the management of marine mammals in the Aquarium.
Decade of the 70's
In 1985 were set up recreational didactic exhibitis featuring Diana and Cyclone, two "bottlenose" dolphins Tursiops truncatus.
Decade of the 80's
Prize granted by the International Marine Animal Trainers Association IMATA'98.
The experience with the interactive programs with dolphins, in this occasion an aquatic ballet with these mammals, was selected as the best contribution of the year.
Decade of the 90's
In February 2000 were inaugurated the first exhibition buildings foreseen for the enhancement of the Aquarium's exhibit area: the Dolphins Square and the Tropical Island , among others. On January 14 th 2002 concluded the first phase, being inaugurated the facilities by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba.
Dolphinarium: It has capacity for 1200 spectators and exhibition shows with up to 8 trained dolphins performing simultaneously.
Seal stage: Conceived for shows with seals. It has capacity for 1000 spectators.
Exhibitions of Pinnipedia: Facilities conceived for exhibits of seals in their natural habitat. They include exhibitions of common seals Phoca vitulina vitulina by means of a transparent board of acrylic as well as underwater exhibitions of dolphins performing amusing demonstrations guided by their trainers. The facilities include a specialized Restaurant for 120 family members, an operational area that provides technical and technological support as well as a work room for specialists involved in the research of marine mammals.
