Fish and other maritime species at display at the newly-opened Palestine Aquarium. (WAFA Images / Shorouk Zeid)

RAMALLAH, July 23, 2018 (WAFA) – (WAFA) – The first Palestinian aquarium opened in Ramallah on Sunday with a display of a variety of fish, amphibians and tropical plants.

The 820-meter Palestine Aquarium and its glassed basins that have on display 250 unique and rare underwater species simulates the maritime environment with its various mysteries.

Project engineer, Sufian Qawasmi, said that the various kinds of fish and plants, 90 percent of which enter Palestine for the first time, are being displayed in one place. He said, there are currently coral, Red Sea fish and Nile crocodiles and later jellyfish, seahorses, species of sharks and some other kinds of fish will be added to give bring the aquarium to international standard.

The project was supposed to open in April, but Israeli obstructions blocked the entry of many types of fish for more than six months, which led to the death of a large number of the fish and the project owners suffered significant financial losses.

"The transfer of fish from one country to another usually takes three to four days. But it has been six months due to the Israeli obstructions, which took a long time and cost the company more money," said Qawasmi.

The owners of the aquarium hope to bring it up to international standard and to be recognized as such after meeting certain conditions.

"We got these fish from different seas, oceans and rivers around the world, and we expect more kinds to arrive in the coming period,” said Qawasmi.

M.K.