1. EXHIBIT NEWS: BAT RAYS, HALIBUT AND BABY OCTOPUS
You'll find two of our bat rays in the Monterey Bay Habitats
exhibit while their permanent exhibit is being recreated as part
of our new Ocean's Edge galleries.

For the first time ever, we've also added two Pacific halibuts to
the exhibit. Though they're currently smaller than our California
halibuts, they have the potential to grow much larger in the
years to come.

Look for about 40 tiny two-spotted octopuses in the Octopus & Kin
gallery. They were born recently behind the scenes and we've just
placed them on exhibit.

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

2. AT THE AQUARIUM: FALL AQUARIUM ADVENTURES
Summer's almost over, but Aquarium Adventures continue. Look for
details and registration information about all the Aquarium
Adventures options at
http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_promotions.asp

3. ON THE WEB: A NEW VIDEO LIBRARY
Want to see how abalones eat, blue jellies swim and sea slugs
reproduce? Do you want to learn more about our shark and tuna
conservation efforts? Videos about these topics and many others
are now available in our new online video library. Many of the
videos are narrated, too. They're easy to find and easy to watch.
Check out your choices when you visit
http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/video_library/video_library.aspx.

4. PROMOTIONS & EVENTS: DIA DE LA FAMILIA, 20TH ANNIVERSARY
EVENTS
Otter Days, August 21 & 22
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
including presentations by our otter care staff, and daily
drawings for behind-the-scenes tours of our sea otter exhibit and
research and conservation operations.

Dia de la Familia, September 19 & 26
We'll put the focus on families to honor Mexican Heritage Month.
On each of the last two Sundays in September, children 12 years
and younger will receive free admission. Other activities
especially for children include a craft room and live musical
performances.

20th Anniversary Weekend Celebration, Oct. 23 & 24
Join us as we celebrate 20 years of inspiring conservation of the
oceans during a weekend event throughout the aquarium. Saturday
activities focus on sharks and will include talks by "Jaws"
author Peter Benchley, as well as music and family activities.
Sunday is a family day, with free admission for children age 12
and younger, family concerts and art activities.

Check our online calendar for details and more events.
http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_calendar.asp

5. CONSERVATION IN ACTION: REPELLENT A BOON FOR SHARKS?
Researchers have come up with a promising new shark repellent -
one that could save the lives of sharks that are being caught
needlessly in commercial longline fishing gear. While the
repellent, made from an extract taken from dead sharks, is being
touted in the media as a way to protect people from shark
attacks, researchers are hopeful they can produce a slow-
dissolving repellent for use in longline baits and in fishing
nets where sharks fall victim.

Because sharks are killed accidentally by the millions as the
inadvertent victims of some fishing gear, the seafood choices we
make are the best way each of us to protect sharks. Our Seafood
Watch program helps you make shark-friendly seafood selections.

To learn more about the shark repellant research, visit
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/07/0729_040729_sharkrepellent.html#main

To download a current Seafood Watch pocket guide, visit
http://www.seafoodwatch.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp

6. FREE OFFERS: FREE SHARK POSTER, CAFE DISCOUNT, SEA OTTER
WALLPAPER
This month's Sea Notes specials include a coupon for a free shark
poster, a special offer at our Gift and Bookstore and free
wallpaper of moon jellies.
http://www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_seanotes/vi_seanotes_specials.asp

**********

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a non-profit institution. Our
mission is to inspire conservation of the oceans. You can support
our many education programs and marine research projects by:

- Becoming a member or making an online donation.
http://www.mbayaq.org/md/

- Sending a conservation-oriented electronic postcard to friends.
http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/efc_se/se_vwl_help.asp

We welcome your thoughts and comments.
(mailto:equarist@mbayaq.org)

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