Dive into the Abyss at Nausicaá’s Latest Exhibition

A brand new exhibition at Europe’s largest aquarium takes visitors on a journey to the deepest parts of the ocean…and makes a plea for its protection.

They say we know more about space than the planet’s oceans and indeed, according to Ocean Wise, 95% of the oceans’ depths are still unexplored. A new exhibition at Boulogne-sur-Mer’s aquarium and oceanography centre, Nausicaá, attempts to answer all the questions we may have about the deep sea. 

Journey Into the Abyss takes visitors 1,000 below the sea level to the intriguing world of the deep seabed, where extreme living conditions don’t stop some species from thriving. In this world of darkness, discover fish with gigantic teeth, bioluminescent jellyfish, abyssal humpback anglerfish or giant spider crabs, and a whole host of other abyssal creatures, which very few people have ever had the opportunity to admire at such close quarters.  

Across 180m² of exhibition space boasting three aquariums, the immersive and sensory exhibition gives a better understanding of life on the seabed, presenting six different species and their environments.

A world in danger 

As always at Nausicaá, the emphasis is placed on protecting and preserving such an ecosystem and the exhibition was curated and created in partnership with Ifremer, the French national institute for ocean science and research.  

Indeed, while deep-sea exploration for scientific purposes is barely beginning, the mining of resources such as rare metals is well under way, despite the scientific community’s warnings against the unpredictable consequences mining at such a level can have. A number of countries have opposed deep-sea mining, including France, and have signed the United Nations agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction or BBNJ Agreement, also referred to as the High Seas Treaty.

The Journey Into the Abyss exhibition is included with the entry fee to Nausicaá.

For more information, visit www.nausicaa.fr