Sea Notes - June 2004

1. EXHIBIT NEWS: LION’S MANE JELLIES, NEW CUTTLEFISH
Lion's mane jellies (Cyanea capillata) have been added to the
Tiny Drifters Gallery. This colorful jelly has a very toxic
sting, but reports of human fatalities are few. It has been
reported to reach a diameter of over six feet in the Pacific and
over nine feet in the Atlantic.

There are now 12 juvenile cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) in our
Octopus and Kin gallery. They are about two inches long and are
doing their best to be invisible by changing their colors to
match the white and brown stones and their texture to appear
rough and bumpy.

Visit What’s New on our web site to learn about other new
arrivals in our exhibits.
http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_whatsnew.asp

2. AT THE AQUARIUM: AQUARIUM ADVENTURES, NEW ENTRY LOBBY
Next time you visit, you can step behind the scenes to help feed
the animals, or have your kids strap on SCUBA gear for a wet look
at marine life. These are just two of the many new "Aquarium
Adventures" programs that debut this summer. Some have already
begun; others start on June 18, including a three-hour "Science
Under Sail" adventure on Monterey Bay.

You'll find all the details, including registration information,
at
http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_adventures.asp.
For a discount on all "Aquarium Adventures," sign up now to
become an aquarium member.

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, you'll step into a new experience
when you visit. That's when we open our new atrium lobby and
ticketing counter. You'll find it feels quite different from the
aquarium entrance you remember--including new and expanded
exhibits about the history of the Hovden Cannery that once
occupied the site of the aquarium. The new exhibits surround the
historic cannery boilers in the atrium lobby.

3. PROMOTIONS & EVENTS: JAZZ AT THE AQUARIUM, SUMMER NIGHTS
CELEBRATION

Jazz at the Aquarium, June 19, Saturday
Grammy Award-winning singer Diane Schuur will headline at our
annual "Jazz at the Aquarium" event, along with a half-dozen
other jazz performers who will entertain in our exhibit
galleries. Includes dessert bar, coffee and tea. Special rates
for aquarium members. You can purchase tickets online and get
additional information at
http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_events/vi_events_jazz.asp

Summer Nights Celebration, July 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31, Saturday
The aquarium takes on a different aura at night. In celebration
of our 20th anniversary, we'll remain open until 9 p.m. every
Saturday night in July. Buy advance tickets now and enjoy an
extended Saturday stay.
http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_ticket.asp

Our online calendar has details and more events.
http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_calendar.asp

4. CONSERVATION IN ACTION: WHITE SHARK PROTECTION
The growing threats facing great white sharks have prompted the
Australian government to nominate the species for listing under
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
(CITES) at the next meeting of member countries in October. A
CITES listing would make it illegal for any of the 161 countries
that are parties to the CITES convention to trade in great white
shark products.

In support of the CITES listing, Australia's Environment Minister
Dr. David Kemp said scientific evidence suggests the great white
shark is rare, and its global population has declined by at least
20 percent over the last three generations.

At the aquarium, we'll continue to tag young white sharks off the
Southern California coast this summer, and to work through the
Tagging of Pacific Pelagics initiative to tag adult white sharks
and other oceanic shark species in the North Pacific.

To learn more about the proposal, visit
http://www.cites.org/eng/cop/11/prop/48.pdf
For details about our white shark research initiatives, visit
http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/whiteshark.asp

5. FREE OFFERS: FREE SHARK POSTER, PORTOLA DISCOUNT, PELAGIC
STINGRAY WALLPAPER
This month's Sea Notes specials include a coupon for a free shark
poster, a special offer at our Portola Cafe and free wallpaper of
a pelagic stingray, one of the animals you'll find in "Sharks:
Myth and Mystery."
http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_seanotes/vi_seanotes_specials.asp

(Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium "Sea Notes" email newsletter)