Shell museum provides update on post-storm recovery
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum recently reported on its summer restoration efforts.
When staff first accessed Sanibel four days after Hurricane Ian, they discovered most of the equipment that runs the aquariums, such as the pumps, heat exchangers and filters, had been destroyed. Officials reported that staff salvaged what was reusable for future use and new equipment was ordered. In early summer, the “back-of-house” rooms that house the systems were fully repaired with new walls, ceilings, floors and electrical. In July, the new aquarium systems were installed with the assistance of Aquarium Reef Illusions. The systems and aquariums in the galleries have been cleaned, sanitized and filled with water to begin preparations to receive new marine life.
Officials continued that despite being located on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, the museum makes its own saltwater for the aquariums, instead of pumping it in from the surrounding area. It helps control optimal conditions for salinity and water quality for the animals. Each holding 1,000 gallons, the museum’s two water reservoirs are strapped to the ground with heavy cables and plumbed into cement.
Ian’s storm surge snapped the cables and plumbing and tossed the reservoirs into the wetlands behind the museum. In the months following the storm, the reservoirs were retrieved, tested for leaks and sanitized and the plumbing was flushed out as it had been filled with storm debris. During the summer, the plumbing was reconnected and the museum is again able to make clean, safe saltwater with the proper elements for its future animals.
Officials also reported that among the “back-of-house,” aquarium support rooms is the research lab, where in addition to performing research and animal care, staff manages a system of quarantine tanks for newly arrived animals. Quarantine is an important step to prevent the spread of pathogens or diseases between animals before introducing them to other species in the Living Gallery and to reduce stress for the animals as they transition to a new home.
The lab received over 5 feet of water in the storm and had to be gutted. In the spring and summer, with the help of Aquarium Reef Illusions, the lab’s systems and equipment were replaced and reconnected.
The museum is currently closed for post-storm reconstruction. Its reopening will be phased, with the goal of restoring the Living Gallery of aquariums, lobby and museum store by the end of this year.
For more information, visit https://www.shellmuseum.org/.
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.