By Nangamso Mabindla
20 May 2005

THE East London Aquarium officially was re-opened to the public on Thursday, May 19, after a fire damaged the complex earlier this year.

The fire, which started in the early hours of the morning on January 11, was caused by an electrical fault. Now, one of the city's most prized educational facilities is back to its former glory.

The fire caused damage estimated at R1-million and one Rocky fish - only found in the Eastern Cape - died. An excited Siani Tinley, the chief marine services of the aquarium, thanked local businesses, the Friends of the Aquarium, local schools and the municipality for assisting the refurbishment.

"It is not easy when you have to rebuild something like an aquarium, but with the help of these individuals we were able to start with our work; thank you very much for all your help," she said.

As part of the repairs, security had been tightened and the complex had been given a new look. Acting Mayor Luvuyo Mosana echoed Tinley's words, saying the City was happy the aquarium had re-opened.

"This aquarium is very important for our children's education; they do research here about marine life. Our tertiary institutions also do research here about marine life," he said.