SYNOPSIS

Ana Almeida is a marine biologist. The 26 year old was born and raised in Lisbon. Her working place towers amidst an artificial island into the sky of the Portuguese capital. A gigantic water tank filled with more than five million litres of water – the Oceanário de Lisboa. Not only the largest aquarium of Europe but also a symbol for the modern Portugal. At the heart of Oceanário visitors and our audience discover the global ocean bringing together marine life from all over the planet.

Through 27 centimetres thick acrylic glass nearly one million visitors per year watch in awe at massive swarms of fish circling around sharks, rays and more than 200 other species of fish. On land sea otters and penguins charm audiences alike.

Around the main tank four more tanks symbolize four specific habitats: The Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Antarctic Oceans. An astounding design by star architect Peter Chermayeff makes the viewer literally walk through the ocean.

Ana Almeida is head of the scientists working at Oceanário’s Atlantic. Her work includes monitoring, feeding and reproducing. Feeding is also exciting at Oceanário, especially when it come to sharks. Specially designed feeding poles have to be used by Ana and her colleague to nurture the big predators of the sea.

Ana’s boyfriend Jorge works also as a marine biologist at Oceanário. Jorge is responsible for the Indian Ocean habitat and they regularly collaborate on projects during their work. Both aspiring scientists agree that it would be difficult to have a partner that is not sharing their passion for marine life.

After hours we discover the City the Oceanário became one of its most powerful symbols to: Lisbon.

Ana will show us one of her favourite spots of the legendary Portuguese capital. In the pasts great explorers like Vasco da Gama started out from here to discover the world. Today marine biologists like Ana do no longer have to leave town to make their discoveries: They have the whole under water world at their hands: At Oceanário, Europe’s largest, and arguably most beautiful Aquarium.