Dr Patrick Garratt, Managing Director of the Two Oceans Aquarium and Mr. Robert Calcagno, Chief Executive Officer of the Institut Océanographique in Monaco, are to sign a formal partnership agreement on the third day of the 8th International Aquarium Congress in Cape Town.

Related: 8th International Aquarium Congress Opens/ Two Oceans Aquarium's Dr. Pat Garratt on the International Aquarium Congress (IAC) 2012

The five-year agreement will see the two facilities working closely together in the fields of research, animal husbandry, conservation, education and awareness, communication and personnel training. 

According to Dr Garratt, “The Two Oceans Aquarium is highly regarded by its peers and partnerships such as this further reinforce our standing in the international arena. We welcome this partnership and are excited about the opportunities it presents in terms of the exchange of information, ideas and knowledge. It also provides our staff with opportunities for learning and gaining experience in another facility”.

Mr Calcagno said, “Created to appreciate, understand and protect the oceans, the Oceanographic Institute founded by Prince Albert Ist of Monaco began contributing in 1910 to the development of modern oceanography. Today, the Institute is a dynamic, determined player, actively engaged in international cooperation. This is why we are particularly pleased to start this partnership with the Two Oceans Aquarium. The goal of the agreement is to consolidate the relationship between our institutions in the fields of oceanography and marine biodiversity, based on specific projects and issues linked to each establishment, such as sharks, turtles, sunfish, corals, marine biodiscovery and ocean acidification”.