Sea Notes - July 2004

1. EXHIBIT NEWS: FLOWER HAT JELLIES, SHARK TOUCH POOL, HOVDEN
CANNERY

Colorful flower hat jellies (Olindias sp.) are back on display in
"Jellies: Living Art." Our biologists are trying to raise them
through their full life cycle, but haven't solved the puzzle yet.
We receive the adult flower hats from colleagues who collect them
off the coast of Japan when they appear in large numbers each
spring. They should be with us for the next six to nine months.

It’s easier to get a feel for sharks and skates in the touch pool
at "Sharks: Myth and Mystery." Our aquarists have added a number
of rocky outcrops to entice skates as well as small swell sharks
and horn sharks into petting range. They've also dimmed the
lighting, to better recreate the habitat on rocky reefs that the
animals prefer. Volunteer guides are there to help you with
proper touching techniques.

We're now telling the full story of the historic Hovden Cannery
that once occupied the site of the aquarium. Through video,
photographs, recorded audio and the actual cannery equipment of
the era, you can explore the rise and fall of the sardine
industry that once defined Cannery Row. It's the first exhibit
you'll see in our new entry lobby. Don't miss a chance to sound
the cannery whistle, or to discover more about the long hours and
hard work involved in packing sardines for a global market.

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. AQUARIUM NEWS: ZAGAT RATES US NO. 1

More than 11,000 families rated attractions nationwide as part of
the first-ever Zagat Survey U.S. family travel guide. When the
votes were tallied, Monterey Bay Aquarium was the No. 1 rated
aquarium in the United States, and overall the No. 3 top-rated
family attraction in the country. That’s high praise, indeed--and
an opinion shared as well by Keith Bellows, the editor of
National Geographic Traveler magazine. Talking on NBC’s "Today
Show" about family travel options, he asserted that we are, "for
my money, the best aquarium in America."

Zagat Survey Web Site: http://www.zagat.com

3. AT THE AQUARIUM: AQUARIUM ADVENTURES, NEW SKYWALK

There are still plenty of spaces in "Aquarium Adventures"
programs, but they're filling up fast. The expanded lineup of
programs debuted on June 18. We're especially excited about the
"Science Under Sail" research cruise, a three-hour trip available
twice a day on a 65-foot sailboat. During the cruise, you'll take
part in everything from the launch of a small remotely operated
vehicle (ROV) for an underwater look at marine life, to helping
track sea otters and towing for plankton that may wind up in our
exhibits.

All the details about this and other adventures are online at
http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_adventures.asp.
Aquarium members enjoy significant discounts on registration for
all "Aquarium Adventures." You can sign up online to become an
aquarium member.
http://www.mbayaq.org/md/join.as

It's a lot easier to get from one part of the aquarium to another
now that our new skywalk is open. This aerial bridge connects the
second floor exhibits by the Kelp Forest with the Outer Bay
galleries. Try it next time you're here. It also puts you eye to
eye with our life-size whale models, and offers fantastic views
of Monterey Bay.
You can view pictures of the new entry and skywalk at
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/aa/timelineBrowser.asp?tf=98

4. PROMOTIONS & EVENTS: SUMMER NIGHTS CELEBRATION, OTTER DAYS

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. Each Saturday (except July 3) we'll also
offer live jazz performances, plus a special cafe menu and wine
selections in the early evening. Buy advance tickets now and
enjoy an extended Saturday stay.
http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_ticket.asp

Otter Days, August 21-22, Saturday-Sunday
The sea otter is a Central Coast icon. We'll celebrate these
captivating marine mammals with a weekend of activities including
a craft room for kids, special auditorium programs and drawings
for behind-the-scenes tours of our sea otter exhibit and research
and conservation operations.

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

5. CONSERVATION IN ACTION: PROTECTING THREATENED SHARKS

Shark and ray experts with IUCN--The World Conservation Union--
have just evaluated the status of species in North and Central
American waters, and will recommend that several species be added
to the "red list" of threatened species. These include the
oceanic whitetip shark population in the Gulf of Mexico, whose
numbers have been decimated by tuna and swordfish fleets, as well
as great hammerheads and scalloped hammerheads, which are being
caught both deliberately (for their fins) and accidentally by
commercial fishing fleets that target other species. They are
also being taken in large numbers by recreational fishermen.

Our "Seafood Watch" pocket guides offer you an easy way to
protect sharks when you choose seafood that is farmed or caught
in sustainable ways. Because marine animals are the last of the
world’s wildlife caught extensively for food, the seafood choices
we make as consumers can have a powerful impact on the fate of
these animals. You can now get West Coast, Southeast/Gulf Coast
and Midwest/National guides. We'll add a Northeast regional guide
this summer.

We're also poised to get more involved in the policy arena on
behalf of sharks and other ocean wildlife. We've just created a
new Center for the Future of the Oceans to empower individuals
and influence public policy on behalf of healthy oceans. It will
encompass all of our marine conservation policy programs,
including "Seafood Watch."

To learn more about the proposed shark listings, visit
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/organizations/ssg/ssgiucnmeet2004.h
tm and http://www.iucn.org
For "Seafood Watch" pocket guides, visit
http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/sfw_regional.asp
For the Center for the Future of the Oceans, visit
http://www.mbayaq.org/aa/aa_pressroom/aa_pkits_newsreleases.asp

6. ON THE WEB: SHARE YOUR MEMORIES, CALIFORNIA FUN SPOTS

Our 20th anniversary is coming up in October, and we'd like to
know what your most memorable moments have been during the past
20 years. For Lara, it was the day Scott proposed to her on our
oceanfront decks--and some of the trips they've made back over
the years with their children. For 8-year-old Emily, it’s the
love she’s developed for sea creatures, an affection that
led to dressing up as an octopus for Halloween in a costume her
mother made for her. For Peggy, it was visiting while she was
pregnant with daughter Lizzy--who this fall begins college as a
marine biology major, in large part because of her connection
with the aquarium.

We'd love to hear your stories, and share photos of your
memorable moments in our online Anniversary Memory Book. You can
see what others have to say, and explore images and information
about some of the highlights of our first 20 years.
http://www.mbayaq.org/aa/celebrating.asp

You can find online games, activities and great deals at some of
California’s top family attractions at the new California Fun
Spots web site featuring the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the
state’s other top attractions (LEGOLAND, San Diego Zoo and Wild
Animal Park, SeaWorld Adventure Park, Six Flags Magic Mountain
and Universal Studios Hollywood). You'll find it all at
http://www.cafunspots.com.

7. 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
the aquarium under a stunning sunset sky.
http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_seanotes/vi_seanotes_specials.asp

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