1991-2011: Nausicaa is 20 years old!

A NEW KIND OF AQUARIUM

To persuade the public that has come to Nausicaa to be entertained to “love” the Sea is to get them to take the first step towards a better understanding of the marine world. Above and beyond this challenge, which is taken up with a broad public, Nausicaa has a much more difficult aim to achieve, which is to encourage the public to act differently so that future generations can continue to enjoy the many treasures of our Planet Sea. That is Nausicaa’s overriding aim.

The birth of an aquarium

T1981-1982

In 1981, Guy LENGAGNE, who was mayor of Boulogne-sur-Mer at the time, decided to renovate the Casino which stands along the seafront in Boulogne.  He had the idea of setting up a giant aquarium.  In 1982, he asked 3 young oceanography and marine biology students to put his ideas into action.  Philippe VALLETTE, Stéphane HENARD and Christophe LIACOPOULOS were commissioned to produce a preliminary study for a new type of aquarium in Boulogne-sur-Mer that would show the relationship between man and the Ocean.  They were already convinced that much more than a simple aquarium was needed and were then asked to carry the project through to its conclusion.  

1983-1990

An architectural competition was launched in 1983.  In 1984, an association (under the French Act of 1901) was set up to manage the project. In June 1985, Jacques ROUGERIE was appointed architect.


 
In 1986, Nausicaa joined the small group of “major architectural and urban development operations”, known as “Major State Projects”).  The aquarium project became known as the National Sea Centre.  Europe allocated 70 million francs to finance the project, which was expected to cost 140 million francs.  Invitations to tender for the construction of the building were sent out, and work began in February 1987.



Fish farming in the Grand Rue museum began at the same time.


 
In 1990, a Cold Sea section with Cod opened in part of the building undergoing construction.  Platax and black spotted shark arrived in the tropical and shark areas.
The National Sea Centre Management Company was set up, also in 1990. 

1991-1997

Nausicaa opened its door on the 18th May 1991.



In 1992/1993, staff were already looking to the future and developing a strategic plan to set short, middle and long term objectives.



In 1994, the permanent exhibition grew further.  First of all, the first jellyfish were installed in the National Sea Centre.  The first themed exhibition was then created on the theme of the Antarctic.  The designs for the exhibition were by Yvon Le CORRE, a great painter and traveller, who followed Jean-Louis ETIENNE’s expeditions on board the ANTARCTICA.
 
In 1995, Nausicaa adopted a mascot, “Raya”, a delightful blue-spotted ribbontail ray, which delighted children for many years.


 
Nausicaa continued to develop and offered another themed exhibition from July 1995.  Until September 1995, the “Stevenson and Treasure Island” exhibition provided visitors with an entertaining and educational display based on that year’s theme: “The Sea and Children”.  The aquarium was invaded by pirates.

Nausicaa began to exchange its know-how and experience and set up a network, the “Sea Centres Network”.  The Genoa Aquarium joined and its extension was placed in the hands of the Nausicaa team.

From July to September 1996, a new temporary exhibition, “Fluorescent Coral”, presented a wide range of corals.  The Nouméa Aquarium helped to organize the exhibition.



April and May 1997 saw the opening of the temporary exhibition: “Marine predators: on the lookout”, which explained the importance of marine biodiversity to visitors and presented some amazing sea creatures.
 


From June to September 1997, “Shells and Tentacles” showed the various facets of the world of molluscs.



Nausicaa then presented its project extension to the public in the form of a mini exhibition.

Nausicaa’s extension

1998

Nausicaa doubled its exhibition space by building a “first”.  On the 30th May 1998, the new Nausicaa opened its doors.  It now contained some 4.5 million litres of sea water, 36 aquariums and large ponds and over 35,000 marine animals from seas the world over, in an area covering 4,500 m².



1998 saw the arrival of the sea lions from California and the transfer of the sharks from their former tank (the Selachian ring) to their new habitat in the “Open sea” tank

In 1998, Nausicaa campaigned for the signature of the “Ocean charter” as part of International Ocean Year.

1999

In 1999, the new temporary exhibition “Little fish grows up” explained marine animal reproduction to visitors, showing how fish are selected by fishing boats to avoid capturing the young, an effective way of fishing responsibly.



In 1999 Nausicaa was awarded the “Centre of Excellence” label by the UNESCO Inter-governmental Oceanographic Commission for its work to raise awareness, and took part in the launch of the 1st International Conference of Aquariums, Museums and Scientific Centres.  Various mini-conferences and workshops took place alternately, resulting in working proposals carried out in close collaboration between participants.  The proposals aimed to raise awareness of the impact of man’s actions on the marine environment, and have been applied to the activities of the participating sites.

2000

In 2000, a new extension was added to the end of the Nausicaa visit.  A whole section on fish stocks management was added.



Also in 2000, a temporary exhibition called “The Ocean, the Final Frontier” opened, covering the life and issues involved in the great depths and the conquest of this environment by man.  Soon afterwards, a 3D film, “5000 metres under the Sea”, was added to the end of the visit.

Love the Sea in order to better preserve it

2002

Since 2002, Nausicaa has shown the public that it is keen to be involved in the major topical debates concerning the Ocean. The “Nasty Weather on the Planet!” exhibition explained to the public what was then the little-known phenomenon of global warming of the Planet and the resulting upheavals for the entire world. Monitor lizards, iguanas, piranhas and other tropical animals take over a reconstructed tropical forest.

On Thursday 21 March 2002, Nausicaa was awarded the “Tourisme & Handicap” label by Mr. Jacques BRUNHES, Secretary of State for Tourism. Since it opened in May 1991, Nausicaa had always been keen to offer the best possible welcome to its visitors, including the 7000 disabled people who visit the Centre every year.2002 also saw the setting-up of the World Ocean Network, a vast group of organizations that work with the public and are concerned for the future of the Blue Planet. Philippe VALLETTE, Managing Director of NAUSICAA and co-chairman of the World Ocean Network, was appointed as a member of the steering committee for the Global Forum for the Oceans, Coastlines and Islands on the High Sea, and led the working party to raise public awareness of the marine environment. From 17 to 20 November 2002, Nausicaa hosted the 2nd International Conference on the theme “For the future of our Blue Planet, every gesture counts”. It prepared a contribution to the “Oceans and Coastlines” programme for the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development. Nearly 120 organizations representing Museums, Aquariums and environmental and educational NGOs from all over the world took part.

Nausicaa renewed its exhibition, adding a new area, the “Bistrot du Port”.

2003

In May 2003, Nausicaa signed a partnership with the Accor Group with the aim of making tourists more aware of the need to care for the marine environment.

World Ocean Day was celebrated on 8 June 2003, following the 2nd International Conference.

2004

In early 2004, Nausicaa’s media library and library were totally transformed within the hall to become an area for relaxation and conviviality.

2005

In early 2005, the caimans arrived in the Sunken Forest, a new area that completed the permanent exhibition. The “Planet House” area was also inaugurated, with the aim of making us think about our consumption habits. On the same day, 4 February 2005, Philippe VALLETTE, Managing Director of NAUSICAA, and Chantal FRETE, Sales and Marketing Director, were awarded the Gold Medal for Tourism by Mr. Léon BERTRAND, Minister of State for Tourism.

2006

From 29 January to 2 February 2006, Nausicaa hosted the 3rd international conference on “Acting together for the Blue Planet”, which was chaired by Jean-Michel Cousteau. All the representatives of the World Ocean Network came together to implement a practical action plan.

In April 2006, the “Heading South” exhibition opened. This saw the arrival of the Cape penguins.



Nausicaa continued its partnerships and worked with the Conurbation Council and Véolia-Eau to set up an educational circuit at Séliane, the sewage treatment plant for the Boulogne conurbation, with the aim of publicizing sustainable development and the need to protect water.

On 20 November 2006, Nausicaa and Ifremer renewed their collaboration agreement for a further 5 years. Ifremer is the technical advisor to Nausicaa and has been involved in the aquarium’s story from the outset. It sees the National Sea Centre as a means of changing the way people think and getting them to understand that “protecting the sea means protecting the planet”, as J-Y. Perrot, chairman of Ifremer, said.



In 2006, Nausicaa received 622,000 visitors.

2007

The 10 millionth visitor passed through the doors on 9 June.

Nausicaa continued to relay news of daring projects linked to the sea and followed the crossing of the Atlantic in a rowing boat by Bruno FROIDEVAL and Olivier BERTONNIER (supporters of the ANR association), who set off from the Canaries in January 2007 to row all the way to Guadeloupe.

In 2007, Nausicaa was made a member of the World Nature Union (UICN), which has been awarded the status of observer by the United Nations general assembly.

The photographic exhibition “Women and seas” by the Ifremer photographer Mr Olivier BARBAROUX took place in the hall of Nausicaa.

The year also saw further development work. The media library moved into new premises and came out on to the square. The shop was extended and the reception hall was renovated, giving visitors the impression of berthing at the quayside, among crates that have come from all over the world to travel the seven seas. This new design for the entrance set the scene for visitors, placing them immediately in a totally different environment.



Philippe VALLETTE, Managing Director of NAUSICAA co-wrote the World Ocean Atlas, giving an overall view of the state of the Ocean.

On 8 June 2007, the “Blue Planet” literary prize was launched in partnership with the Majuscule bookshops for books that raise awareness of the marine environment and / or sustainable development. The first prize-winners were Isabelle AUTISSIER and Eric ORSENNA for “Salut au Grand Sud”.

Nausicaa was once again involved in topical marine and environmental events, organizing a consultation on the Green Book relating to the EU’s future maritime policy. This took place prior to the “Blue Planet Forum” which was held in Brussels in November 2007.

On 15 June, visitors were able to watch baby cuttlefish being born. This was quite an event, as cuttlefish only produce offspring once in their lives.

A new area was set up in the Nausicaa hall: the “Topical Sea Events” area.

2008

On 26 April 2008, Nausicaa unveiled the renovated first floor of the permanent exhibition, which dated back to the opening in 1991. The new areas that were created allowed the public to enjoy “Travels on the Northern Seas” and “Stopovers in the Mediterranean”.



An exhibition and special report on Madagascar and the Mozambique canal completed the arrangement. The idea was to highlight the outstanding biodiversity that exists in this part of the world, where nearly 90 % of the plants and 80 % of the animals are endemic, such as the black-spotted shark and the chameleon.



In May 2008, Nausicaa inaugurated its new multimedia system, an interactive studio “Live from the Sea”.

During October 2008, Nausicaa worked with a veterinary surgeon specializing in sharks to achieve a world first: a surgical operation on one of Nausicaa’s grey sharks.



On 14 November 2008, Nausicaa was awarded 1st prize for the medical training of sea lions at the annual IMATA conference (International Marine Animal Trainers Association) which took place in CANCUN, Mexico. The award reflected Nausicaa’s work with the marine mammals, and especially on intubation and endoscopy with Californian sea lions. This voluntary intubation practice is a world first and avoids having to anaesthetize the animals. It is the result of several years’ work and trust between trainers and animals.



At 3.00 pm on Monday 24 November 2008, Nausicaa was the venue for the signature of an agreement between Véolia Eau, Nausicaa, the National Sea Centre, and the Boulogne Conurbation Council, which set the seal on a three-year collaboration plan between the parties to launch and run Nausicaa III. This new stage in the life of the National Sea Centre involves setting up an interactive activities platform and implementing an editorial programme for the various forms of communication in order to reach a broad public through the different types of media used.

2009

Nausicaa welcomed its 11 millionth visitor on 1st March 2009.

On 3 July 2009, the book “Secrets des abysses”, co-written by Christine CAUSSE and Philippe VALLETTE, was published by Fleurus. This was followed on 30 September 2009 by the book "Madagascar, L’île Océan” by Christine Causse and Philippe Vallette, with photographs by Alexis Rosenfeld, published by Autrement.

In October 2009, Nausicaa witnessed the birth of its first baby penguin, a Cape penguin known as Tara.

2010

On 18 March 2010, NAUSICAA, the National Sea Centre in Boulogne-sur-Mer, officially launched the European “Mr Goodfish” campaign in France. In association with the Acquario di Genova in Italy and the Aquarium de Finisterrae in Spain under the aegis of the World Ocean Network, the project aims to encourage the public to become actively involved in the preservation of marine resources. 

Summer saw the beginning of visits behind the scenes at NAUSICAA. Visitors were able to follow the work of the trainers backstage.



To celebrate Biodiversity Year, Nausicaa offered its visitors a new area with showcase aquariums where they could discover and marvel at the many faces of biodiversity.