One of the most important facilities at MSS is the Marine Aquarium. It was established to demonstrate the beauty, uniqueness and importance of the coral reef ecosystem of the Gulf of Aqaba. The marine Aquarium was found in 1981 during the same year when the MSS started to work. The main objectives behind establishing this Marine aquarium were to:
(i) Exhibit to the public the out standing beauty of the underwater life in the Gulf of Aqaba.
(ii) Spreading public awareness among visitors of the marine aquarium towards the importance of the marine life and showing how sensitive the reef organisms are and to introduce the public to the dangerous species living in the sea.
(iii) Provide education and public outreach.
(iv) Support teaching and research at the university level.
All the species exhibited to the public in the Marine Aquarium are from the Gulf of Aqaba-Jordan and none was imported from other countries, therefore the Marine Aquarium is representing a real picture of life in the Gulf of Aqaba-Red Sea.
The Aquarium has 20 flow though aquaria of about 2 m3 each and contain hundreds of species representing the major coral reef organisms. The number of aquaria is projected to increase this year by 6 more aquaria. A simulation of coral reef in the Gulf of Aqaba is established in a 40 m3 roofless concrete tank. In addition to this, many marine fossils and mummified organisms are presented to the public in the marine aquarium. The exhibitions are supported by a number of informative posters and photos hanged around in the aquarium building. In addition to this, publications and brochures are sold at the tickets disc.
This unique tourist attraction facility in Jordan witnesses busy occupation all around the year. The number of visitors in the last two years only, exceeded 100,000 visitors. University and school students comprise about 60% of the total number of the Aquarium visitors.
Scientific, technical and maintenance operations in the aquarium are conducted under the direct supervision of a qualified team from the MSS staff. This team is led by Dr. Fuad A. Al-Horani and includes Mr. Husain Al-Najjar, Mr. Omar Al-Momany and Mr. Ihab Eid and assisted by the staff of the MSS.
The Aquarium opens to the public 7 days a week from 8 am to 5 PM. Since the Marine Aquarium is about 12km south to Aqaba town, a visitor can reach the Marine Aquarium by Taxi which costs around 5 JD for two ways.
إن معرض الأحياء البحرية التابع لمحطة العلوم البحرية هو المعرض الوحيد في الأردن،ويستقطب أعدادا كبيرة من الزوار من داخل الأردن وخارجه. فهناك طلاب المدارس والجامعات وهناك السياح العرب والأجانب.ويزوره كذلك صنّاع القرار من كبار الزوار وضيوف الدولة الرسميين. ويشهد المعرض زخما متزايدا من الزوار مما يسهم بزيادة التوعية والتثقيف من اجل حماية البيئة البحرية النادرة الجميلة في الخليج. يفتح المعرض أبوابه يوميا طيلة أيام السنة من الساعة الثامنة صباحا" ولغاية الخامسة مساءا".