Monterey Bay Aquarium newsletter/release

Sea Notes
January 2007

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1. EXHIBIT NEWS

SEVENGILL SHARKS
Now roaming the Monterey Bay Habitats exhibit is the second largest
sevengill shark we've ever put on exhibit. The female shark measures
8-feet, 7-inches and weighs 247 pounds. The largest sevengill shark
ever kept outside the wild was "Emma," a 9-foot, 10-inch female who
was kept in the Monterey Bay Habitats exhibit from July 1990 until
her release in June 1994.

PHARAOH CUTTLEFISH INTRODUCTION
Check out the big pharaoh cuttlefish we recently introduced to the
parrotfish exhibit in "Splash Zone." Their larger size makes it
easy to watch them "flash," or change their skin color and pattern
almost instantaneously. This behavior is used to communicate a
variety of messages, from threats to courtship interest. Both the
pharaoh cuttlefish and the common cuttlefish (the species we had on
exhibit before) reach a similar size in adulthood--about two feet
long. The new animals came from the National Resource Center for
Cephalopods in Galveston, Texas.

OCEAN SUNFISH ANNIVERSARY
Our ocean sunfish recently celebrated its first anniversary with us.
This unusual-looking fish weighed 27 pounds when we introduced it
to the Outer Bay exhibit in November 2005, and now weighs about 550
pounds! This one also exhibits unusual behavior compared to other
sunfish we've exhibited before in the million-gallon display--it's
not shy about joining the regular feeding frenzy to slurp up a few
more squid here and there.

Visit What's New? on our web site to learn more about new arrivals
in our exhibits.
www.mbayaq.org/news/

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2. AQUARIUM NEWS

LAYSAN ALBATROSS
You may have heard about an albatross named "Makana" who recently
arrived at the aquarium from Kauai. The nine-month-old Laysan
albatross--an oceanic seabird and the first of her kind at any U.S.
aquarium or zoo--is settling into behind-the-scenes quarters. Our
aviculturists are training her to make special appearances at the
aquarium to raise public awareness about the threats facing seabirds
across the Pacific.

NEW EDITION OF GRAY WHALES
Just in time for their annual visit to California, we've published
a new and dramatically updated edition of Gray Whales, released with
a foreword by Jean-Michel Cousteau. Originally published in 1991 and
viewed by many as a natural history classic, Gray Whales is a concise
yet comprehensive introduction to these far-ranging cetaceans-recounting
their feeding and breeding patterns, their long migration and their
checkered history with humans. Be sure to pick up a copy next time
you're in our Gift & Bookstore, and visit our website for a preview
and more information.
www.mbayaq.org/whalebook/

REAL-COST CAFE WINS AWARD
The Real Cost Cafe in the Ocean's Edge galleries has won another
award: The Themed Entertainment Association's 2007 "Thea" Award for
outstanding achievement in experience design and themed entertainment.
The awards honor accomplishments in the use of storytelling,
architecture, technology and experience design to create memorable
guest experiences. Learn more about all the honorees here:
www.themeit.com/index.htm

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3. PROMOTIONS & EVENTS

LAST CHANCE FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE TICKETS
Time's running out to purchase tickets to our "Silver Fishes and New
Year's Wishes" event on December 31 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Celebrate
this special night in the glamorous style of old Hollywood, including
a red-carpet entrance and a variety of musical venues. Options include
a dance party, the party and a four-course seated gourmet dinner, or
the party and?new this year?admission to a special VIP lounge. Visit
our website for prices and details.
www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_events/vi_events_newyears.asp

BECOME AN OFFICIAL EXPLORER
We've extended the deadline to December 31 in our search for our 2007
Official Explorers. We're looking for two children between the ages
of 10 and 13 who love to explore, are passionate about protecting
the environment and will help champion the aquarium's mission in 2007.
Bilingual children are strongly encouraged to apply; one of the two
Official Explorers must be fluent in both Spanish and English. Get
rules and an application here.
www.mbayaq.org/PDF_files/aquarium_official_explorer_application.pdf

Visit Special Promotions & Events on our web site for more
information.
www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_aquarium/vi_aq_promotions.asp

Check our online calendar for more events.
www.mbayaq.org/aquariumlibraryweb/ui/calendar/calendar.aspx

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4. CONSERVATION IN ACTION

SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD FOR THE HOLIDAYS
If you're still making last minute gift purchases for family or
friends or planning a holiday feast, please consider making
sustainable seafood part of your celebration. We've compiled a list
of online retailers for your reference. You may also use our
Seafood Watch pocket guide to make choices when shopping or eating
out.
Online retailers:
www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/sfw_resources.asp#sss
Seafood Watch pocket guide:
www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_regional.aspx

SEAFOOD WATCH DVD
So you'd like to help save the oceans, but you're not sure how to go
about it? We have a free DVD for you! It's full of information about
choosing seafood with healthy oceans in mind--to help prepare you
for casual conversations with family and friends or for more formal
discussions and presentations at work or out in your community.
Included with the DVD is a video from Habitat Media called "Can the
Oceans Keep Up with the Hunt?" To get your free materials, you just
need to pledge to use them--and then get back to us and let us know
how it all worked out.
www.mbayaq.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/sfw_consumers.asp

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5. ON THE WEB

2007 EVENTS CALENDAR
Save the dates! We have an entire year of engaging activities planned
for 2007. Everything from Jazz at the Aquarium, Shark Days and Otter
Days, Cooking for Solutions and Dia del Niņo to regular and special
member nights. Visit our Aquarium Events Calendar online and start
planning your next visit.
Aquarium Events Calendar:
www.mbayaq.org/aquariumlibraryweb/ui/calendar/calendar.aspx

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6. FREE OFFERS: SHARK POSTER, SEVENGILL SHARK WALLPAPER

This month's Sea Notes specials include a free shark poster and free
wallpaper of a sevengill shark.
www.mbayaq.org/vi/vi_seanotes/vi_seanotes_specials.asp

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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.
www.mbayaq.org/md/

- Joining forces with the aquarium to take action on critical ocean
issues.
www.mbayaq.org/oa/

- Sending a conservation-oriented electronic postcard to friends.
www.mbayaq.org/epostcards/

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

Monterey Bay Aquarium | 886 Cannery Row | Monterey | CA | 93940

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