Wanshan Marine Biology Museum in Wanshan Town's Dong'ao Island started trial operation on May 1, presenting a mysterious underwater world to visitors that featured over 500 kinds of marine organism specimens, including fish, shells, and coral.

The 260-sq-m (2,800-sq-ft) facility is Zhuhai's first offshore marine museum and is set to become a new highlight in the marine diversity protection efforts of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by increasing public awareness for marine protection.

It has five exhibition areas including display boards of Wanshan Archipelago as well as exhibitions of Wanshan marine biological specimen and marine biodiversity; coral and ornamental fish; as well as fish, shrimp, and crabs in the adjacent sea area.

A dolphin specimen in Wanshan Marine Biology Museum [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

The museum has two specimens of national first-class protected animals and four specimens of national second-class protected animals. More than 200 patented rear-projection photos of fish, shrimp, and crabs in the museum showcase active species in nearby sea areas. 

Experts noted that the nearly 300 kinds of shell specimens have filled the blank of shell species in the Wanshan Archipelago's sea area.

One of the exhibitions in the museum simulates the underwater world and raises live marine creatures of the Wanshan sea area to showcase the local biological diversity. 

Wanshan Town is home to one of the most renowned fisheries in China, while enjoying a unique position in marine ecology and economy in the Greater Bay Area. It is also the habitat of national first-class protected Chinese white dolphins and critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoises.