Exploris Portaferry is a unique facility for tourism, education and recreation within Northern Ireland. It is Northern Ireland’s only aquarium and reflects the very special marine environment of Strangford Lough, an Area of Special Scientific Interest, and the neighbouring Irish Sea. It has a seal sanctuary and tends to other distressed marine creatures.
It provides seawater for the adjacent Queens University Marine Laboratory. While Exploris does not make money and has substantial running costs, it delivers a footfall of 100,000 people a year to Portaferry, which has a tremendous impact for local businesses in an area already suffering from high unemployment and rural deprivation.
The loss of Exploris will have a devastating effect on Portaferry and the surrounding area.
If you feel strongly about this issue, please sign the petition by clicking here.
we need this in portaferry area
This would be a major lose to Portaferry — I understand the financial lose to the Ards Council — but this could be saved in many other house- keeping exercises — Many people travel to Portaferry — find nothing to spend their money on – and take the ferry to Strangford – back home via Killinchy / Comber etc stopping of for whatever — Give them more reasons to spend time /money in Portaferry —
Support from Government is needed…
Exploris is a multi million pound income raising tourist attraction. Closing the facility without considering alternative options including seeking support from DCAL or DETI is deplorable. Ards Borough Council must at the very least have an appropriate plan in place
V sad to see that some public representatives do not prioritise this important marine conservation and education centre to stay within Gvt maintained services.
We “can not deprive” our children of the education and experiences about marine life in Northern Ireland that Exploris gives!