Monterey Bay Aquarium

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The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a public aquarium located in Monterey, California, United States. It is situated on the site of a former sardine cannery on Cannery Row. The aquarium is known for its regional focus on the marine habitats of Monterey Bay and its innovative exhibits.

History

The Monterey Bay Aquarium was founded in 1984 by David Packard and Julie Packard, with the mission to inspire conservation of the oceans. The aquarium was one of the first to successfully maintain a living kelp forest exhibit, which remains one of its most popular attractions.

Exhibits

The aquarium features several major exhibits, including:

• Kelp Forest: One of the tallest aquarium exhibits in the world, showcasing the diverse ecosystem of a kelp forest.
• Open Sea: A 1,200,000-gallon tank that houses a variety of pelagic species, including tuna, sharks, and sea turtles.
• Sea Otters: An exhibit dedicated to the playful and charismatic sea otters, which are native to the Monterey Bay area.
• Splash Zone: An interactive exhibit designed for children, featuring touch pools and displays of tropical and temperate marine life.

Conservation and Research

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is heavily involved in marine conservation and research. It operates the Seafood Watch program, which provides recommendations for sustainable seafood choices. The aquarium also conducts research on various marine species and ecosystems, and it participates in efforts to rescue and rehabilitate injured marine animals.

Education and Outreach

The aquarium offers a variety of educational programs for visitors of all ages, including school programs, summer camps, and public lectures. It also provides online resources and virtual field trips to reach a broader audience.

Visitor Information

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is open daily, except for Christmas Day. It attracts approximately 2 million visitors annually and has a membership base of around 80,000.

Related Pages

• Aquarium
• Marine biology
• Conservation biology
• David Packard
• Julie Packard
• Cannery Row

See Also

• List of aquaria in the United States
• Seafood Watch
• Marine conservation

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