MPs have said more must me done to ensure the long-term future of aquariums such as the Blue Planet Aquarium.

The Parliamentary debate on Thursday, June 11 in the House of Commons, was well attended and secured following huge public pressure after coronavirus regulations which came into effect on June 1 specifically prevented the reopening of zoos and aquariums.

The Government was forced into a u-turn before the debate following pressure from Labour and Tory MPs, including those all around Chester Zoo, which revealed it faced being £24 million in debt by the end of the year if it was not allowed to reopen.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Wednesday zoos would be allowed to reopen as long as it was safe to do so, with a jubilant Chester Zoo confirming it would reopen on Monday, June 15, having already implemented many social distancing and safety measures.

But, as the debate revealed, more work needs to be done, including for the nearby Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire Oaks, which will remain closed.

Ellesmere Port and Neston Labour MP Justin Madders praised the work that had been done to reopen Chester Zoo, but said: "The Blue Planet Aquarium, as we have heard, is not going to be able to reopen.

"Can he understand the confusion that we have?

"We have Cheshire Oaks, which has got confined spaces in them, which is basically next door to the aquarium, being able to open next week, but the Blue Planet Aquarium not being able to reopen?"

City of Chester Labour MP Chris Matheson added: "If there is a reason for these closures, explain it to us. Tell us why some can open and some others can't. But don't be inconsistent, and don't be illogical."

Romford MP Andrew Rosindell, a Conservative and chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Zoos and Aquariums Group, had secured and opened the House of Commons debate.

He highlighted the plight of UK aquariums and said: "They need help now. They need help as soon as possible, minister, or the fear is they will be lost.

"All of these organisations maintain very high standards of animal welfare and conduct vital conservation work.

"At the aquariums, the costly life support systems are constantly running. These operating costs are depleting any financial reserves they previously had."

Rebecca Pow MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, acknowledged all the support shown for zoos and aquariums at the debate and the vital work they do, but said all indoor attractions such as aquariums, for the moment, would remain closed "for public health reasons".

She explained the changes to the coronavirus regulations specifically preventing zoos and aquariums reopening had come about as a knock-on effect of the Government changing its guidance from people only being allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons or for exercise, to being allowed to leave their homes unless there was a reason they could not.

The Conservative MP for Taunton Deane added there were currently financial support initiatives zoos and aquariums could access to help them at this time and the Government was working with DEFRA on the support available, with potential to widening the financial packages of aid.

"I want to assure you we will be continuing to assess the situation," she added.