PARCHITECTURAL PROJECT OF THE SEAL-AQUARIUM IN HEL (acc. to the project by bAR) a. laboratory and educational building b. filter building c. main cultivation pools d. small, isolated pools for quarantine of young and sick animals e. seals' beaches f. entrance to underwater observation area g. entrance h. exit

A SEAL-AQUARIUM IN HEL

The Marine Station of the Oceanography Institute of the University of Gdansk in Hel is in charge of the complex of pools that enables scientific experiments in the field of biology and ecology of the sea organisms. The first species kept here - the grey seal - is on the verge of extinction in the Baltic environment. The accomplishment of the project of grey seals' retrieval in the region of Polish coast assumes simultaneous achievement of the following goals, both direct and indirect; namely:

1. retrieving grey seals from the state of extinction,

2. reintroducing top carnivore to the ecosystem,

3. regeneration of natural species' diversity in the northern Baltic region, regeneration of local population,

4. further investigation of sea mammals,

5. development of the new educational offer concerning Baltic ecology,

6. development of a beneficial and strong symbol of rescuing the marine environment,

7. establishment of scientific and educational infrastructure of the Marine Station of the University of Gdansk, reorientation of the city-building structures of Hel from pro-military to pro-tourist.