Monterey Bay Aquarium Monterey Bay Aquarium News

Into the Deep will be open for 8 years
Previously the Answer was "the better half of a decade" for how long Into the Deep will be open for. Now it's confirmed that "Into the Deep" will be open for 8 years, so you'll have up to 2030 to view the exhibit
(My guess is even though the exhibit will be closed, they'll definitely still be working with Deep-Sea Animals Behind the Scenes. Perhaps a few species like the Bloody-Belly Comb Jelly could be spread throughout the Aquarium as well in the Main Exhibits)
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New study examines success of Monterey Bay Aquarium sea otter rehabilitation program

A new study, authored by experts at Monterey Bay Aquarium and their partners, examines the development of its landmark sea otter rehabilitation program and how it can support sea otter recovery and reintroduction. Published in the Journal of Zoological and Biological Gardens, the research recounts its successes and challenges, showing how the program benefits both species recovery and ecosystem benefits.

New study examines success of Monterey Bay Aquarium sea otter rehabilitation program
 
Meet Eric Wahl

From a high school Aquarium volunteer to the latest member of the Naturalist team: The story of the boy who loves the ocean.

Eric Wahl (he/him) has been part of the Aquarium family for over seven years. As he enters his new role as a naturalist, Eric shares his deep connection with the Aquarium and the ocean.

When Eric begins talking about his love of the ocean, his voice quickly fills with passion and a smile appears as a seemingly permanent fixture on his face.

A local to Monterey County and a recent graduate of UC Santa Cruz with a Bachelor’s of Science in Marine Biology, Eric began his journey in the Aquarium’s Teen Conservation Leaders program in 2016. He continued each summer in numerous capacities, including as a mentor and program assistant.

During the pandemic, as the world adjusted to a new set of norms, Eric played a valuable role as an intern in our Education department, creating and managing a number of activities in the launch of the Aquarium's online courses and learning at home opportunities. Today guests often recognize him from his appearances in the Fin-tastic Sharks online course.

Eric’s journey as a staff member began as a Guest Experience representative and most recently as a Naturalist. With every new opportunity on the way, Eric reflects on a motivating factor for all the work that he does: his deep relationship with the ocean.

"It’s important to talk about how the ocean protects us, how we protect it, and how we can protect each other. The ocean is like a family to me, and as a person who has been adopted, the concept of found family is very close to me."

- Eric Wahl, Naturalist

https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/stories/meet-eric-wahl
 
 
The newest addition of "Shorelines" (MBA's Member Magazine) came out and contains some new information for the Summer + some other tid bits:

Kelp Forest Makeover | If you've been to the aquarium the past few months, you might've seen them doing some work in the Kelp Forest Tank. It's been confirmed that it was to replace the rockwall that's been there since opening. The original wall started to show signs of crumbling due to age, so they've replaced it with 20 tons of new rock, and the renovations recently finished.

New Auditorium Shows | The newest show on view at the Auditorium is "Making Into the Deep". A short show how Into the Deep was built. I'm not sure if it contains new footage not shown before, or if it's a compilation of information we've already seen. I'll check it out when I go down at the end of the month to find out. This Summer, a new show based on Bioluminescence will be premiering in the auditorium as well. No title or premise has been announced about what it'll be on, though it mentions having "Brilliant displays of Bioluminescence".

New programs coming and old ones returning | For the first time since 2019, new programs are currently in the works, along with old ones coming back. Underwater Explorers is returning in June. A program that allows 8 - 13 year olds to suit up in Scuba Gear and tour the Great Tide Pool (the massive that is right off the deck).
 
Northwest_FIsh_Keeping said:
Kelp Forest Makeover | If you've been to the aquarium the past few months, you might've seen them doing some work in the Kelp Forest Tank. It's been confirmed that it was to replace the rockwall that's been there since opening. The original wall started to show signs of crumbling due to age, so they've replaced it with 20 tons of new rock, and the renovations recently finished.
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This explains why the kelp tank was quite murky and honestly not too impressive when I visited. It was nice, but I actually felt more impressed with CAS's.
 
ChunkyMunky pengopus said:
This explains why the kelp tank was quite murky and honestly not too impressive when I visited. It was nice, but I actually felt more impressed with CAS's.
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Yeah, I think they've been working on it since September or August. So definitely quite a while but from the recent pics, it looks so much cleaner and better now with the updated look.
 
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Wow, Shrimp Week? Wow, I didn't know this was even a thing, but it certainly sounds intriguing...

Shrimp Week

What is Shrimp Week?

Shrimp Week is a whimsical celebration of charismatic crustaceans — because sea otters can't get ALL the love. During Shrimp Week we get silly on social media while sharing fun facts about decapods and their near cousins (during Shrimp Week, everything is shrimp!). Join us from March 19 through 25 for everything shrimp, shramps, and shromps.

https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/shrimp-week
 
Great Argus said:
The aquarium is being sued for defamation by a coalition of Maine lobster fisheries. Latest in an ongoing row between the aquarium and the lobster industry after the listing of Maine lobster as "do not eat".

Maine lobster industry sues Monterey Bay Aquarium over do not eat listing
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Out of curiosity, how do you think this lawsuit will play out in court? I hope that the Monterey Bay Aquarium is able to win this case. If they don't win, I worry about the precedent this could set for industries that harvest other taxa on the aquarium's Red listing, emboldening these industries to file lawsuits themselves.
 
UngulateNerd92 said:
Out of curiosity, how do you think this lawsuit will play out in court? I hope that the Monterey Bay Aquarium is able to win this case. If they don't win, I worry about the precedent this could set for industries that harvest other taxa on the aquarium's Red listing, emboldening these industries to file lawsuits themselves.
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Everything I've seen about it says it doesn't stand a chance and is bordering on frivolous.
 
UngulateNerd92 said:
Out of curiosity, how do you think this lawsuit will play out in court? I hope that the Monterey Bay Aquarium is able to win this case. If they don't win, I worry about the precedent this could set for industries that harvest other taxa on the aquarium's Red listing, emboldening these industries to file lawsuits themselves.
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No idea - I could see it going either way depending on various circumstances. Regardless the aquarium stands to lose a fair bit of money in legal fees, especially if other industries jump in.
 
Great Argus said:
No idea - I could see it going either way depending on various circumstances. Regardless the aquarium stands to lose a fair bit of money in legal fees, especially if other industries jump in.
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Ideally what I would love to see is that if it is in fact deemed frivolous, those companies/industries filing suit having to pay the aquarium's legal bills. That is what really should happen in my opinion!

Pardon my digression, I am not going to lie, too bad the Maine lobsters are on the Red Listing because they do taste good (I haven't eaten lobster in a few years). Hopefully some changes could take place allowing that industry to be more sustainable, maybe public pressure of some sort could move the needle on this... I hope I can one day eat Maine lobster with a conscience again...
 
Sea Food Watch is its own independent non-profit (with its parent organization the Monterey Bay Aquarium of course) so I'm sure the structure of this entity won't directly have any financial repercussions for the Aquarium itself. This is also not the first lawsuit that certain fisheries have levied, one in 2008 and I believe in 2016 come to mind. The fact that Sea Food Watch collects its own independent data, utilizes data from NOAA itself (which is all publicly available), and is a voluntary consumer advocacy program, this lawsuit won't go anywhere. This is no different than a private organization saying to boycott a certain establishment for certain beliefs - all protected under the First Amendment.
 
UngulateNerd92 said:
Wow, Shrimp Week? Wow, I didn't know this was even a thing, but it certainly sounds intriguing...

Shrimp Week

What is Shrimp Week?

Shrimp Week is a whimsical celebration of charismatic crustaceans — because sea otters can't get ALL the love. During Shrimp Week we get silly on social media while sharing fun facts about decapods and their near cousins (during Shrimp Week, everything is shrimp!). Join us from March 19 through 25 for everything shrimp, shramps, and shromps.

https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/shrimp-week
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Here is another relevant article about Monterey Bay Aquarium's shrimp week. I have to say, I have never seen poems about shrimp before... This is a first...

Shrimp Week poetry from Aquarium staff

We invited our staff to write poems inspired by the crustacean sensations, and our team shrimply rose to the occasion and krilled it! Enjoy their submissions below.

https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/stories/shrimp-week-poetry
 
NAIB Volunteer said:
Sea Food Watch is its own independent non-profit (with its parent organization the Monterey Bay Aquarium of course) so I'm sure the structure of this entity won't directly have any financial repercussions for the Aquarium itself. This is also not the first lawsuit that certain fisheries have levied, one in 2008 and I believe in 2016 come to mind. The fact that Sea Food Watch collects its own independent data, utilizes data from NOAA itself (which is all publicly available), and is a voluntary consumer advocacy program, this lawsuit won't go anywhere. This is no different than a private organization saying to boycott a certain establishment for certain beliefs - all protected under the First Amendment.
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Your analysis is definitely a relief to hear! Thank you!
 
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