Galway Atlantaquaria joins Wetlands for Life

Wetlands for Life

Galway Atlantaquaria is delighted to join zoos and aquariums from across Europe to work towards the conservation of Wetlands and wetland biodiversity. As part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA), Wetlands For Life Campaign, the aquarium will carry out a range of actions, both onsite and by supporting other organisations, already working in this area of conservation.

Campaign Activities will include 

• A special Wetlands Category as part of the Small Conservation Grants 2026/2027, which are open for applications
• Wetland talks and activities in the aquarium, with ‘Onfais’ the Aquarium Otter Mascot
• A special Wetlands Lets Talk Water
• Monthly Clean Coasts Beach Cleans & Explore Your Shore! Activities
• A Wetlands Survey 

The campaign will work to highlight the importance of wetlands, such as marshes and river deltas, which are rapidly disappearing worldwide. Wetlands are crucial for drinking water, climate resilience, human livelihoods, and also support a huge array of wetland-dependent species, including amphibians, fish, mammals, reptiles, waterbirds, and invertebrates. 

The launch coincides with the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the international Ramsar Wetlands Convention, and with a Ramsar Site, the inner section of Galway Bay, on the aquarium’s doorstep. 

THE WETLAND SURVEY 2026-27

Galway Atlantaquaria is very  interested in finding out what the general public know or would like to know about wetlands in Ireland. Can you take our survey?

Notes

The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), www.eaza.net Established in 1992, EAZA is the world’s largest regional zoo and aquarium association, with over 400 Member institutions in 48 countries. 

EAZA facilitates cooperation within the zoo and aquarium community in Europe and Western Asia towards the goals of education, research and conservation, centered around the animals in our Members’ care. More information about the Wetlands for Life Campaign can be found here https://wetlandsforlife.eaza.net/