Aquarium World News

Governor Christ, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Winter the Dolphin Enter Adoption Business

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:46:15 -0500

"Winter's Dream" is That Every Foster Child Available for Adoption Finds a Family By Jeni Hatter Clearwater, FL - Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) welcomed Florida Governor Charlie Crist and other dignitaries to kick off a new adoption campaign called "Winter's Dream." CMA is partnering with the Progress Energy Heart Gallery and Eckerd Community Alternatives to raise awareness of the need for children in foster care to be adopted and the need for Winter the dolphin to be adopted. CMA relies on public support for its work of marine life rescue. One of the ways to generate support is by allowing families to adopt its animals. "Winter's Dream" is that every foster child available for adoption finds his or her "forever family." Winter lost her family, overcame physical challenges and found a new family with CMA. Many kids in Florida's foster care system face similar challenges and are considered "special needs," given their background, age or disability. These children have been separated from their birth families, live in foster care and now need adoptive homes.

Penguins' Switch to New "Formal Wear" Delays Living Planet Aquarium Exhibit Opening

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:42:31 -0500

Most Penguin Species Go Through One Complete Molt (shed their feathers) Each Year By Angie Hyde Sandy, UT - The Living Planet Aquarium has deferred the opening of the highly anticipated penguin exhibit until late March, and the penguins' switch to new "formal wear" is to blame. Most penguin species go through one complete molt (shed their feathers) each year, usually after the breeding season. Depending on the species, the average length of the molt varies from 13 days to 34 days. The Living Planet Aquarium will be receiving 11 penguins for the new exhibit, three of which are chicks, hatched in late 2009, two are adults (a breeding pair, over 4 years of age), and the remaining 6 are a year old (hatched in 2008).

"Naked" Polar Bear Cruise to Benefit the Wildlife Conservation Society

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:52:51 -0500

Enjoy a Frosty Ride While Raising Money to Help WCS Save Wildlife and Wild Places By Fran Hackett New York, NY - Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises and Coney Island Polar Bear Club are teaming up on Saturday, February 27th to host the second annual "Naked" Polar Bear Cruise (bathing suit required) to benefit the Wildlife Conservation Society. Participating passengers are encouraged to strip down to their bathing suits and enjoy a frosty ride while they raise money to help WCS save wildlife and wild places around the globe.

Vancouver Aquarium Reveals an Enormous Inukshuk Sculpture Made Entirely of Cans - Photos

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 07:54:09 -0500

Ocean Wise Construction Project Available for Viewing Through the Olympic Winter Games By Kent Hurl Vancouver, Canada - Today the Vancouver Aquarium revealed an enormous Inukshuk sculpture made entirely of cans of Ocean Wise recommended seafood in a display of Olympic spirit. Created by an Aquarium design team, the Ocean Wise Construction project will be available for viewing from now through the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The seafood was generously donated by Raincoast Trading. Following the exhibit the canned fish will be donated to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. "You can tell our team and partners had a lot of fun creating this amazing spectacle to share with locals and visitors during the Games," said Aquarium president, Dr. John Nightingale. "We are able to show our Olympic spirit and support the Food Bank, while showcasing the importance of choosing sustainable seafood. Overfishing is the number one problem facing the world's oceans today. Ocean Wise makes it easy for Canadians to play an active role in conserving them now and for future generations."

Early School Dismissal Results in a Special Visit to North Carolina Aquarium for Student

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:22:07 -0500

Symone Marquand Received a Behind the Scenes North Carolina Aquarium Visit By C.P. "Buster" Nunemaker, III Manteo, NC - When Dare County Schools dismissed early on Feb. 3, many children went home to watch television, play video games, visit with friends and some even studied homework. Symone Marquand, a seventh grade student at First Flight Middle School, got to visit the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island and watched Lauran Jozik and Katie Dicioccio, aquarists at the Aquarium, feed the sharks and other fishes in the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit. Symone paid close attention as a 350 lb. female sand tiger shark was target fed by Lauran. Katie made sure the other fishes received their share of the afternoon feeding that created a frenzy on the surface of the exhibit. "The cobia (Rachycentron canadum) would come to the surface of the exhibit and splash water high into the air as they competed for the food being broadcast. They are really big and fast. I liked the cobia," said Symone.

Fashion Show With lots of Passion at Living Coasts Aquarium

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:14:40 -0500

"Fashion with Passion" Show Takes Place at Living Coasts on Wednesday 10th March By Philip Knowling Torquay, UK - Living Coasts is holding a fashion show with a unique theme. It follows the success of Fashion with Passion in 2009, when local students and Torbay businesses joined forces to promote eco-friendly fashion. This year's show is entitled Fashion with Passion - the Web of Life, and sets out to promote biodiversity through fashion design. Living Coasts spokesperson Phil Knowling said: "I don't think anyone has ever held a fashion show with the theme of biodiversity before - it's a first!"

North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Exhibits Sargassum Triggerfish

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:48:02 -0500

The Sargassum Triggerfish Live Among a Kaleidoscope of Other Bright Beauties By Claire Aubel Atlantic Beach, NC - The Wreck of the Caribsea exhibit now features sargassum triggerfish. The bright turquoise-colored beauties are covered with a speckled pattern, and have a flash of reddish-orange on their tail. Their markings help them blend in with their namesake surroundings -- the sargassum seaweed found off the coast. In the exhibit, the sargassum triggerfish live among a kaleidoscope of other bright beauties, including queen angelfish, French angelfish and spotfin hogfish. The nearby Hardbottom Ledge exhibit also provides a kaleidoscope of hues with many vivid juvenile tropical fishes and small reef-dwellers.

North Carolina Aquarium is Placing Dead Fish in the Skillet and Oven

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:54:08 -0500

North Carolina Aquarium Helps you Turn your Fresh Catch or Market Find into Culinary Art By Claire Aubel Atlantic Beach, NC - The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores helps you turn your fresh catch or market find into culinary art. Succulent Seafood courses, offered at local restaurants, feature the area's top chefs dishing out tricks of the trade and delicious samples. Additionally, an Aquarium Educator explains how to select fresh, seasonal seafood while helping with conservation. The sessions begin at 2 p.m. and conclude with a taste-test. The next course takes you to Sharpies Grill Bar on Beaufort's Front Street on Monday, Feb. 8. Reservations are now being accepted for these sessions:

Oregon Coast Aquarium is Looking for Teenagers to Join its Youth Volunteer Team

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:45:09 -0500

Youth Volunteers Spend 36 Hours in Training Learning About Marine Science By Cindy Hanson Newport, OR - The Oregon Coast Aquarium is looking for teenagers to join its youth volunteer team. Young people have an opportunity to explore the fascinating world of marine science and share their knowledge as Aquarium interpreters. Youth volunteers spend 36 hours in training learning about marine science, marine animals, and conservation. Successful completion of training can earn young people 3 transferable college credits from the Oregon Coast Community College and high school credit in some high schools as well. "Becoming a youth volunteer is a great way to get involved in the marine science field and provides an opportunity for teens to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with others," said Tricia Ratliff, Aquarium Youth Programs Coordinator. "Friendships, personal development, and networking opportunities are also benefits of the program. Volunteers will find themselves working alongside Aquarium staff and adult volunteers. Some volunteers go on to pursue a career in marine sciences based on their experience as a youth volunteer."

"Shark Days" at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on February 20 and 21

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:02:10 -0500

Weekend will Feature Shark and Bat Ray Feedings, Fascinating Shark Stories from Aquarium Experts By Jenny Slafkosky Monterey, CA - Explore the ocean's most mysterious and misunderstood species with experts who care for them during "Shark Days" at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on February 20 and 21. The fun-filled weekend will feature shark and bat ray feedings, fascinating shark stories from aquarium experts, and special programs and activities. Meet the aquarium's resident sharks - including scalloped hammerhead, sevengill, Galapagos and leopard sharks - along with their relatives, pelagic stingrays, bat rays and electric rays. The weekend celebration includes a special presentation and book signing by Jim Toomey, comic artist and creator of "Sherman's Lagoon." Kids can download a special iron-on "Shark Days" t-shirt design, created by Toomey on the aquarium's website (http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/vi/vi_events/vi_events_shark_days.aspx); kids wearing shirts with this design will receive a special prize during "Shark Days" at the event information booth.