10.5 C
Lancashire
Friday, March 29, 2024

Blue Planet II creates a new wave of interest in the undersea, reports Merlin Entertainments

Much-loved broadcaster Sir David Attenborough’s latest dive into the Blue Planet has created a big wave of interest in the undersea world, with a sharp increase in shark experience bookings at SEA LIFE Blackpool, operated by Merlin Entertainments.

Sir David’s Blue Planet ll series, which is being broadcast on BBC1 on Sunday evenings, is giving viewers an amazing glimpse into an underwater world teeming with alien-like creatures.

Some 16 years after the original series made such a dramatic splash, Blue Planet II is airing seven episodes, featuring incredible bioluminescent sea creatures, which glow in the dark at the bottom of the deepest oceans – similar to the remarkable flashlight fish and illuminating jellyfish at SEA LIFE Blackpool, as well as popular reef marine life featured in last night’s episode, like sharks, groupers and clownfish.

The new series, narrated by the 90-year-old broadcaster, has created a surge in visitors interested in shark dives and feeding sessions at SEA LIFE Blackpool, with shark snorkelling bookings up by 11 per cent.

As well as seeing all the amazing sea creatures, the popular attraction also offers, for the more adventurous, a range of incredible shark experiences, such as snorkelling with sharks, feeding sharks or even becoming a shark keeper for the day. The incredible bucket-list type experiences also include the chance for groups to ‘sleep with the sharks’. Plus there’s a rock pool area, where young visitors can pick up crabs and touch starfish, getting a real Blue Planet-style, hands-on experience of these remarkable creatures.

The original series, which won multiple Emmy and BAFTA awards, was watched by over 12 million people. Blue Planet II is following the outstanding success of Planet Earth II, which drew in 13 million viewers for the opening episode, the largest audience for a natural history programme for at least 15 years.

Matthew Titherington, general manager at SEA LIFE Blackpool, explained: “We’ve not seen anything like it since the last series of Blue Planet. People are really keen to get close to our creatures.

“We’ve already seen a big rise in interest in our shark snorkelling and feeding sessions and we’re expecting that to increase further as the Blue Planet II series continues.

“We’re calling it the ‘Attenborough Effect’, similar to Delia Smith’s legendary impact on cookery sales.”

The popular attraction is also backing the veteran TV naturalist’s call for more to be done to conserve the world’s oceans and seas.

Scott Blacker, head aquarist at SEA LIFE Blackpool, echoed Sir David’s comments on the need for the world to cut back on its use of plastic to protect our oceans. As well as revealing the hidden wonders of the undersea world, the ground-breaking new series will highlight the damage the material is causing to marine life.

Scott said: “It is good that a big series like Blue Planet ll, with such a large audience, can highlight the threats to our oceans and seas and the need for action to protect our valuable marine life. It is a really important message.”

SEA LIFE Blackpool is committed to the conservation and protection of marine life, as part of its ‘Breed, Rescue, Protect’ campaign and wider conservation work.  Its partner charity, the SEA LIFE Trust, develops and supports projects to protect ocean wildlife and habitats across the world. The Trust reaches a huge audience with important messages about marine protected areas, sustainable seafood, plastic pollution and improved protection for marine life. Last year SEA LIFE raised more than £300,000 to support the Trust’s projects and partner organisations around the world.

spot_imgspot_img

Latest

Burnley: Kompany staying clear of rivals’ PSR problems

Vincent Kompany is fully focused on Burnley’s bid to...

The Best New Betting Sites for April 2024

There are plenty of new betting sites emerging in...

Best UK Football Betting Sites For 2024

Football is the UK's biggest and most popular sport....

Free Bets: The Best Sign-Up Offers April 2024

When players sign up for a site for the...
spot_img

Subscribe to our newsletter

Business Lancashire will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.

Don't miss

Best England vs Belgium Betting Offers & Odds

England will face off against Belgium at Wembley Stadium...

Manleys Law Firm Applauds George Leeming’s Transition from Paralegal to Solicitor

In a significant development for Cheshire's Manleys, a law...

Best Betting Sites UK for April 2024

It isn't an understatement when we say that the...

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps In The UK – April 2024

If you are looking for the top horse racing...

More News

Preston’s only windmill could be converted into an Airbnb

The last windmill in Preston may be turned into an Airbnb or a house share if planning permission is granted. Plunginton's grade-II listed building has...

Burnley’s Saira Hussain recognised as inspirational woman in STEM at the House of Lords.

The UK government commissioned Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship highlighted that women entrepreneurs are underrepresented in the most productive sectors of the UK economy, and...

Data shows more than a third of children are living in poverty in the Northwest

Greater Manchester Poverty Action and End Child Poverty Coalition have launched their annual statistics for the UK surrounding child poverty – with children living...