A fascinating inside view of the Museum of Marine Biology in Zhoushan. [Photo/Tide News]

The newly upgraded Museum of Marine Biology reopened on June 8 in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, unveiling an immersive, tech-powered experience that merges marine science with international cooperation.

Expanded from 700 to 1,500 square meters, the museum now features five themed zones. They range from a central seabed sandbox display, a ship model gallery, a fish exhibition hall, an invertebrate zone, to a marine conservation animal section.

With over 2,000 marine specimens, interactive touchscreens and immersive projections, the museum offers visitors a cutting-edge journey into the ocean's depths.

Of special note is the debut of over 100 rare and endangered marine animal specimens and China's biggest collection of East China Sea cartilaginous fish. "Seeing endangered species I've only read about in textbooks is incredible," said a marine biology student.

The reopening also signaled deeper international collaboration. Italian researchers from institutes — including the University of Pisa and the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research — joined the opening virtually to discuss joint efforts in marine conservation and research.

To mark the occasion, the Zhejiang Ocean University launched 10 themed events that combined science, culture, and art. From traditional fishing chants and handcrafted boat models to 3D-printed marine cultural items and plastic recycling labs, the university transformed into a vibrant oceanic festival.

The upgraded museum has stood as both a testament to six decades of marine research and be a bridge to the future.

As a national science education base, the museum is now poised to become an open classroom for the public, advancing ocean awareness and environmental harmony.