Exhibition of marine life

Press, 16 March 1982, Page 28

Exhibition of marine life

The largest species of crab in the world is on view at the Sea Life Centre, Bicheno. The centre was opened in 1979 to explain in an entertaining and educational way the type of fish found on the East Coast and their importance to Tasmania. Visitors browse through the walk-round aquarium displaying sea horses, octopuses, enormous conger eels, salmon, crayfish' and numerous intriguing creatures. A 20-minute film on all facets of the local fishing industry is also part of the exhibition.

Considerable emphasis is put on research and interpretation. The centre also promotes fish eating, with pamphlets on fish cooking and preparation. A very pleasant Bistro restaurant offers visitors the chance to lunch on delicious fresh fish by the ocean or take away freshly cooked or live lobsters. Outside, fairy penguins swim and play in their own pools, in the shadow of an 80year old Tasmanian trading ketch, “Enterprise.” The 72foot scow (the first of her kind in Tasmania) is the last

to survive and was saved from the breaker’s yard and restored as the centre piece of the maritime museum. The ketch was able to sail well up many rivers in southern Tasmania to load logs — thanks to her shallow draught of sft and a retractable centre board. In 1956 when road transport had taken over the Carting of timber, “Enterprise” embarked on a more degrading 20-year career, carrying all the night pan refuse from Glenorchy and dumping it 25km south of Hobart. For the next four

years she was looked after in retirement by her master of 61 years. Bill Price. The Sea Life Centre (which > incidentally has the highest ; standard of rest rooms to be found free of charge in i Tasmania or New Zealand) is ' open every day of the year I from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.rn. i w <.!