A new survey commissioned by the SEA LIFE London Aquarium reveals

how little children know about marine life

A new survey from SEA LIFE London Aquarium reveals that UK children hold some fascinating and fantastical beliefs about marine life, with a healthy confidence that mermaids and sea monsters do exist, penguins can fly and a fish finger is NOT a breaded food product but a real fish. The poll, which questioned 1,000 children aged 4-8 nationally was conducted to coincide with the launch of a new Sea Dragon Kingdom feature at the attraction and showed that one in ten children believe the delicate four inch creatures are in fact the size of a house!*

Moreover, 15% of London children questioned thought sea dragons are forest dwelling beasts and 17% that they could breathe fire! 96% of all children questioned actually didn't realise that sea dragons were real creatures at all – an opinion the attraction hopes to change with the launch of the magical new zone. But there is, however, a strong belief in mythical creatures. One in ten children thought mermaids and the Loch Ness monster were real, with belief in Nessie rising to one in four when Scottish children were questioned. Worryingly, one in ten children surveyed thought that a fish finger was a real species of fish, one in twenty thought penguins could fly and almost a third didn't realise that a penguin was a bird at all – believing them instead to be fish or mammals.

“The findings of this poll really raised some smiles - who doesn't want to believe in mermaids?” commented Rebecca Carter, Conservation and Education Manager at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium. “But it also does show some basic lack of understanding about the marine life on our own shores, with one in 12 of the kids thinking tropical fish swim around Britain and 68% not realising that some shark species are a common sight along our coasts. Almost 90% don't know rays swim in UK waters either, and one particularly imaginative youngster thought sharks eat fish fingers, chips and beans!”

There were however, encouraging signs for shark conservationists as 84% of children questioned understand that humans are NOT sharks' favourite food. “We were really encouraged that the next generation are not all falling for the misconception that sharks are evil man-eaters” Carter commented. “However, clearly when it comes to sea dragons and also especially British marine life, there is more work to be done. We will be focusing on these areas over the next few months, to ensure that the inquisitive children that visit the SEA LIFE London Aquarium leave with a better understanding of the marine environment.”

The brand new Sea Dragon Kingdom area opens on March 29 where kids will learn all about these fascinating creatures, closely followed by a new Thames Walk area coming to the South Bank attraction on May 23 in time for half term. Here, kids can learn all about animals that can be found in the Thames and join in with a week celebrating the creatures that live in British waters.

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More results including regionally specific stats available on request.

For further information please contact Tansy Ratcliffe-James at freerange communications on 020 7402 9966 or tansy@freerange.eu

*Sea Dragons are small four inch long creatures which are closely related to sea horses and have ornately camouflaged tendrils to help them blend in with their surroundings. They are endemic to South and East Australia. 

GETTING THERE

·      Discounts and priority entry available with online booking - visit www.visitsealife.com/london

·      Open seven days a week from 10am with last entry at 6pm

·      Prices start from £18.36 per adult and £13.52 per child

Notes to Editors:

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 106 attractions, 11 hotels/3 holiday villages in 23 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its almost 63 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and c26,000 employees (peak season). 

Among Merlin's attractions are - SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The Coca Cola London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, THORPE PARK Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park Resort, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK.  All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative – and which have great potential for growth in the future. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.