Zoomarine marks 35 years with ambitious new conservation and research centre

Algarve theme park Zoomarine marked its 35th anniversary on Friday, June 26, by unveiling plans for a new conservation and research centre that will bring together scientific research, marine wildlife rehabilitation, conservation programmes and environmental education.

The announcement was made during an anniversary ceremony attended by government officials, tourism representatives and local authorities, including Secretary of State for Tourism, Trade and Services Pedro Machado, Portugal tourism authority Turismo de Portugal president Carlos Abade, Algarve tourism boss André Gomes, Albufeira mayor Rui Cristina and Silves mayor Luísa Conduto Luís.

Opening the event, Zoomarine executive director Tiago Pierotti reflected on the park’s origins, recalling that founder Pedro Lavia had always envisioned a project that went beyond entertainment.

“Our purpose was never simply to entertain,” Pierotti said. “It was to change mindsets, inspire behaviour and create a connection between people and the natural world”.

That philosophy now forms the basis of Immerso, which Zoomarine describes as one of its most significant investments since opening in 1991.

Presented by Zoomarine’s science and conservation director, João Neves, the centre is designed to strengthen the scientific and conservation work the park has developed over the past three and a half decades.

With ambitions to become a European leader for environmental conservation, the new facility will combine an environmental research centre, an expanded marine wildlife rehabilitation unit, a botanical garden, the Algarve Seed Bank, conservation projects, a project incubator, coworking spaces, an auditorium and meeting facilities for researchers and partner organisations.

“Immerso is not a parallel project,” Neves said. “It is the deepest layer of Zoomarine, made visible and structured with scientific rigour, territorial scale and European ambition.”

Four-phase development

Construction will take place over four years.

The first phase, beginning in 2026, will focus on ex-situ conservation infrastructure and active conservation programmes, including the Falanges and Caudal projects, which focus on threatened species considered important to Portugal’s biodiversity.

In 2027, Zoomarine plans to expand its marine wildlife rehabilitation facilities with new technical support infrastructure.

The following year will see the creation of the botanical garden and the Algarve Seed Bank, aimed at preserving the genetic heritage of the region’s native flora.

By 2029, the centre is expected to be fully operational, with its research centre and project incubator open to scientists, conservation organisations and environmental partners.

The project builds on work already carried out by Zoomarine, including Porto d’Abrigo, Portugal’s first marine wildlife rehabilitation centre, and the establishment of the world’s first IUCN Species Survival Commission Centre for Species Survival (CSS) dedicated to behaviour change in conservation.

Founder and chairman Pedro Lavia described the anniversary as both a celebration of the park’s history and an opportunity to look ahead.

“It is with great happiness that I see Zoomarine become a true symbol of the Algarve,” he said. “This success is the result of years of extraordinary work, teamwork, dedication and professionalism. This dream, which came true in 1991, was only possible thanks to the support of my family, who are with me now and help manage Zoomarine”.

Lavia added: “Over the past 35 years we have grown, learned and consolidated a project that is today a source of pride for all of us, a national and international reference, and an important contribution to environmental education and conservation.”

Closing the event, Secretary of State Pedro Machado praised Zoomarine’s contribution to the Algarve, saying projects like it help position the region as a destination capable of combining leisure, education, sustainability and economic value.

The anniversary celebrations were capped by another accolade later that day, when Zoomarine received the Best Theme and Amusement Park award at the Publituris Portugal Travel Awards 2026.