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Marine Lab Opens to Public

An old cod-liver oil factory in Island Bay is becoming one of Wellington's most fascinating visitor attractions, showing close-up the teeming life that exists below the surface of the sea just across the road. The building houses Victoria University's Marine Laboratory, now open to the public on the first weekend of each month.

Seahorses, octopuses, starfish, crayfish, crabs and an assortment of odd-looking creatures fill the tanks inside the lab, while larger fish swim around in the bigger outdoor pool. Visitors are encouraged to gently touch the creatures in one of the indoor tanks, where they will discover that small starfish are surprisingly hard, sea-slugs feel like gherkins, and long-legged starfish are rubbery in texture. The tanks are full of life, from purple algae on the rocks to a sizable octopus that hides itself away but sends foraging tentacles groping out of crevices. The seahorses are a favourite, gliding gracefully through the water with their little fins whirring at high speed on their backs.

Lab researcher Dr Victor Anderlini has become a star attraction himself. An Italian-Californian who came to the lab about 10 years ago, he is full of energy and enthusiasm for his work, bounces around explaining everything in straightforward terms, and emphasises his points by opening the jaws of his shark cap. His description of how a starfish eats a mussel is nothing if not graphic. The lab has become part of the Island Bay community life since taking part in a local festival.

"Before, people didn't know we were here, but then 500 people came through in a weekend and they were amazed," Anderlini says. "It made us realise how much interest there was in the community."

Now Anderlini, who did his PhD research at the lab, wants to construct new buildings and facilities to provide a major centre for marine education and entertainment, providing a habitat display "to show people what's in their backyard".