Dive into the heart of the Quebec aquarium

There’s nothing like diving in the wild, but swimming among the many fish in an aquarium is still something exciting. We got wet in fresh water to live this original experience offered by the Aquarium du Québec for a few months.

Valerie Simard
The Press

(Quebec) The director of conservation and diving officer of the Aquarium, Marie-Pierre Lessard, has been asking for this activity for a while. While visiting the Quebec establishment, you can sometimes see her or one of her colleagues, through the glass walls of the Grand Océan tunnel, maintaining the basin or feeding the fish. Difficult for a diver not to envy him, especially in this pandemic period when the opportunities to swim in crystal clear water have been reduced to almost nothing.

After a few thematic weekends during which the attraction for the activity was measured, the Aquarium du Québec, managed by the Société des establishments de plein air du Québec, decided to imitate other aquariums, particularly in the United States. States, and to offer a scuba diving package since September.

It is important to have a diving certification to participate. Snorkeling is currently not offered. Given the narrowness of the basin, Marie-Pierre Lessard judges that the experience would be less interesting.

A hundred fish

The Great Ocean, which is located in the Fresh and Salt Water Pavilion, contains 350,000 L of salt water and is 22 ft deep. A hundred fish of about fifteen species swim there: leopard sharks, striped bass, rockfish (black, yellow-eyed, canary) and the most imposing of all, Edmond, a sociable white sturgeon of a meter and a half. There are also many invertebrates such as anemones and starfish.

If the waters are crystal clear and the visibility is excellent, do not expect tropical temperatures. The basin reproduces the ecosystem of the North Pacific, at the height of Vancouver. The water is therefore at a temperature of 13°C (55°F). The isothermal or waterproof suit is required.

The activity begins with a presentation of the profession of scientific diver, more specifically those who, like Marie-Pierre Lessard, work in aquariums and ensure the well-being of animals. This is followed by a 30-minute dive inside the basin during which the wall of the tunnel is cleaned, to allow the spectators to fully appreciate the view, the species are identified and, above all, the fish are fed with a jar that contains pieces of fish, shrimp, molluscs and cubes that are not tofu, but rather a special preparation made from mackerel, saltwater smelt, mussels and feed.

“Today, the fish are due to eat, they will still be quite hungry,” Marie-Pierre Lessard told us before launching.

The greediest are not discreet; the redfish follow us closely and do not miss an opportunity to gobble up the smelt we offer them. Normally, the activity takes place under the amazed gaze of visitors who are inside the tunnel. During our visit, the Aquarium was closed due to sanitary measures. It reopened last Thursday.

“Some people will find it a little more stressful to dive in front of people, but once the stress of the first few minutes is gone, they love it,” notes Marie-Pierre Lessard. For children and spouses, it is also an opportunity to see their loved ones at work.

Meditative time

On the other side of the glass, inside the pool, it’s time for meditation. The space, rather restricted, does not call for large displacements. We stop, we float, we contemplate and we appreciate the silence that only the sound of our breathing breaks.

“It’s really time to relax and let the fish come,” said Marie-Pierre Lessard before the dive.

Although the fish are used to rubbing shoulders with webbed humans, the number of divers the Aquarium welcomes each month is limited. Three days a month, up to four divers can get wet, always two at a time maximum in the basin. To avoid contamination, their equipment is disinfected before diving.

After each day of activity, the animal guides pay attention to the food and behavior of the fish. “If we found that it created any stress on the animals, we would modify the activity or we would stop it, says the one who has training as an animal health technician. So far so good. We had no mortality, loss of appetite, major health problems that could be linked to that. »

In a few months, the collection that has populated the Grand Océan since the major renovations of 2002 will be replaced. Species from the North Pacific will be brought to another basin to make way for their southern neighbors, those found near California. From 13°C, the water will go to 18°C. Let chilly divers take it for granted!

To know

Duration of the activity: 3 hours

Cost of the package: $250 per person, plus taxes

Prerequisites: level 1 certification and minimum age of 14 years old

Equipment required: regulator, dry or isothermal suit (minimum 7 mm), mask, hood, gloves, boots and dive log