Construction is underway on the Secrets of the Sea Marine Exploration Center and Aquarium, a new US$5m (3.8m euro, £3.2m) marine attraction in Pinellas County, Florida US.

The new facility will open at John's Pass Village, Madeira Beach this November.

The aim of the project is "to enhance the public's understanding of the value and fragility of the local and global marine environment through research, education and personal experiences."

Secrets of the Sea is a 13,500 sq ft (1,254sq m) marine exploration centre housed on two levels of John's Pass Village. The marine attraction and interactive visitor experience combines real-time scientific research, hands-on experiments and living marine exhibits.

Much of the technology is being developed by the St. Petersburg Ocean Team, a consortium of 14 marine science-related groups including national, state, regional and local governmental agencies, environmental organisations, R&D businesses, educational institutions including the University of South Florida College of Marine Science and The Pier Aquarium.

The new facility is expected to attract 250,000 visitors to the area generating US$8m (6.1m euro, £5.2m) into the local economy.