From herbarium to museum

1952, the famous ichthyologist Zhu founded the fish specimen room of Shanghai Fisheries University. At the beginning of its establishment, equipment, personnel and funds were very tight. Zhu led his colleagues to overcome many difficulties and began to collect fish specimens and materials themselves. In just a few years, the herbarium has collected more than 900 species and more than 25,000 specimens, initially taking shape, and soon became an important base for ichthyology research in China. Since then, the specimen room has been renamed the fish research room. By 2000, the fish laboratory has become one of the four bases for studying fish taxonomy in China.

In 2002, the laboratory obtained the largest sperm whale specimen in China, with a body length of18.4m. Subsequently, the laboratory was upgraded and evolved into the Whale Hall of Shanghai Fisheries University.

At the end of 2005, China Fish Culture Museum was opened in the former Shanghai Fisheries University at No.334 Simon Road. At the same time, Shanghai Fisheries University signed a cooperation agreement with Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, which opened the prelude to the establishment and protection of fish culture in China.

Now, Shanghai Ocean University is moving to the new campus of Nanhui Lingang, and the China Fish Culture Museum will be renamed again. Starting from 2008, the new campus will be the first museum with the theme of ocean in China, realizing the transformation from fish culture to marine culture. The new museum will have a building area of 7,000 square meters, with 12 exhibition hall, including fish culture museum, fishery history museum, fishing gear fishing method museum, etc. It will become a professional museum integrating teaching, scientific research, popular science and cultural heritage.