Galway Atlantaquaria Commended for their Education Programmes in 2009 BIAZA Awards

Galway Atlantaquaria received two commendations by the zoo world today following a prestigious awards ceremony held at Knowsley Hall, Merseyside, UK. 

The awards were in two categories, Best Education Project: schools and educational institutions and Best Education Project: public and general visitor.

These awards were in clear recognition for their work on the Education Programme and Workshops and the second commendation for their Marine Awareness Programme – teaching the public about the marine environment and its conservation on their Annual Beach Clean-up’s and Beach Safaris.

 Liam Twomey, Director of Galway Atlantaquaria said today “this is hugely important. BIAZA is a world recognised organisation in the area of animal welfare. I view this award as an endorsement of the Explorers Education Programme run in conjunction with the Marine Institute and with tangible support from Forfás under its Discover Science and Technology initiative” I would also wish to recognise the role of local communities and the local authorities who partner us in the activities.

The aquarium was one of 21, and the only one in Ireland to receive a commendation. Held annually for over a decade, the BIAZA awards recognise outstanding contributions and achievements in the fields of wildlife conservation, advances in animal welfare and husbandry, veterinary medicine, marketing, PR, education, research, enclosure design and individual outstanding achievement.

Dr Miranda Stevenson, Director of BIAZA comments: “The award-winning programmes under the spotlight today demonstrate the huge investment of energy and resources made by our leading zoos and aquaria to support habitat and species conservation. These awards recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that our members are making to conservation, environmental education and raising public awareness. Equally, they are standard bearers for excellence in animal husbandry and welfare.”

BIAZA, British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. BIAZA is a conservation education and scientific wildlife charity, which acts as the principal professional zoo body representing the responsible zoo and aquarium community in the UK and Ireland.