The Vancouver Aquarium, Canada’s largest and oldest aquarium, home to 70,000 species, has announced an indefinite closure that will begin on September 8.
Ocean Wise Conservation Association, which manages the aquarium, announced Monday morning to the public.
He said he would “temporarily suspend public programming” to “focus on the transformation to a new model” that addresses the monetary effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In the meantime, the Aquarius animals will continue to receive world-class care from a team of 75 specialized people, adding biologists, running shoes and a veterinary team on site,” he said.
Ocean Wise said COVID-19 is to blame for a nearly 80% drop in price ticket sales at the facility, which has had to restrict the number of visitors to its facilities due to the pandemic.
“The Aquarium will temporarily suspend public programming and focus on a new style that is financially sustainable in the long run and accelerates our project to conserve the oceans.This pause of transience, not what we would have expected, is a critical moment in our history.
More than two hundred more people are expected to lose their jobs as a result of the closure.
Previously, as of the end of March, the aquarium had laid off 345 employees, or 60 of its workforce.