David Mace is the executive chairman of reefLIVE, the company behind a proposed £12 million aquarium in Belfast. The venue will offer an immersive visitor experience with live displays and cutting-edge narrative technology. Keith Thomas, reefLIVE’s managing director, told blooloop: “[Mace] felt it was exactly the kind of place that should have an international standard aquarium. The great aquaria around the world tend to be in the big port cities: Boston, Baltimore, Genoa, Lisbon.
“Belfast is an up-and-coming location for tourism. But it is very light on attractions, particularly family attractions. And yet there’s real growth in demand. The success of the Titanic Belfast has exceeded anybody’s expectations.”
A marine biologist and diver, Mace created the first-ever Sea Life aquarium in Barcaldine, Scotland to offer visitors to the area the opportunity to experience the local marine environment. This was followed by the second Sea Life aquarium in 1985 in Weymouth, England, and then by a series of projects located across the UK. Each of these used the latest in aquarium technology, pioneering the use of acrylic tunnels and other features.
After building a strong management team and attracting investors, the Sea Life company expanded its portfolio to 25 venues through the 1980s and 1990s. The concept was introduced in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Spain. Owned by Merlin Entertainments, Sea Life aquariums can be found across the world, from Thailand to the US.
Mace went on to serve as a director of companies such as Center Parcs and Go Ape before developing reefLIVE, a new aquarium concept for the 21st century. “His contribution to the modern aquarium sector that supports thousands of jobs and brings pleasure and insight into the marine environment to millions of visitors annually cannot be understated and should be recognised,” said one person who nominated him.