Monterey Bay Aquarium Monterey Bay Aquarium News

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

The Aquarium announced that so far, they've managed to raise over $2.3 Million in 2 days thanks to a fundraising campaign with credits to Taylor Swift. It's been spread across mainstream media, and this is the gist of it from what I could gather:

• Taylor Swift wore an old Sea Otter t-shirt that was made in the 1990's in a media release
• Her fans saw the MBA branding on the shirt and began donating $13 (some sort of Taylor Swift reference I think)
• The Aquarium saw this and took the opportunity to track down the original design and began reprinting it as a donation incentive for the campaign so if you donated a certain amount, you'd be rewarded with the same t-shirt.
• The original fundraising goal was $1.2 Million, but that was quickly surpassed and the Aquarium has since paused the t-shirt incentive while they catch up with orders due to the backlog from how many donations have been made (so far*, it sounds like they might open it back up once they're caught up)

The funds will go towards mainly their Sea Otter conservation work, along with other conservation work they're doing. Honestly, a pretty neat moment to see where mainstream media (especially someone as big as Taylor Swift) and conservation are being intertwined. Awesome to see they were able to capitalize on this with how much attention it's gotten/is getting. Specifically, I wonder if any of the funds raised will go towards future renovations/special exhibitions.

 

[Ebirah766]

The Aquarium announced that so far, they've managed to raise over $2.3 Million in 2 days thanks to a fundraising campaign with credits to Taylor Swift. It's been spread across mainstream media, and this is the gist of it from what I could gather:

• Taylor Swift wore an old Sea Otter t-shirt that was made in the 1990's in a media release
• Her fans saw the MBA branding on the shirt and began donating $13 (some sort of Taylor Swift reference I think)
• The Aquarium saw this and took the opportunity to track down the original design and began reprinting it as a donation incentive for the campaign so if you donated a certain amount, you'd be rewarded with the same t-shirt.
• The original fundraising goal was $1.2 Million, but that was quickly surpassed and the Aquarium has since paused the t-shirt incentive while they catch up with orders due to the backlog from how many donations have been made (so far*, it sounds like they might open it back up once they're caught up)

The funds will go towards mainly their Sea Otter conservation work, along with other conservation work they're doing. Honestly, a pretty neat moment to see where mainstream media (especially someone as big as Taylor Swift) and conservation are being intertwined. Awesome to see they were able to capitalize on this with how much attention it's gotten/is getting. Specifically, I wonder if any of the funds raised will go towards future renovations/special exhibitions.

Reminds me of the DougDoug streams lol

 

[CMTM]

Specifically, I wonder if any of the funds raised will go towards future renovations/special exhibitions.

From what I understand as someone well acquainted with the company printing the shirts, I do not think so. I was told the contract was extremely detailed and specific. Also Taylor Swift has zero involvement aside from having worn the shirt.

 

[birdsandbats]

Reminds me of the DougDoug streams lol

Which are the best zoo fundraising events of all time.

 

[Local_Shark]

This is certainly a cool organic moment for the aquarium community, and wonderful for the otters. I’m glad that the Swifties put their money and energy into such a positive thing, hopefully different fan communities come together and do the same for other big conservation efforts in the future.

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

Unveiling: "Ocean in Motion/La Danza del Mar", opening late 2026
I just got my copy of 'Shorelines' (the members magazine) and immediately on the first page, Julie Packard reveals a chunk of the incoming "Splash Zone" changes:

• The new space will now be called "Ocean in Motion", it wll be replacing the entirety of the current "Splash Zone", except for the Penguins
• It will still keep that "Kid's area appeal", guessing they'll still have the play areas and interactive stuff.
• Most excitingly, they are infact bringing back several species across the various past special exhibitions, the specific ones named so far are "Pot Bellied Seahorses, Garden Eels, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, and many more"
• "A bigger and better African Penguin habitat"
• "New and Larger exhibits of animals in a living coral reef" (we already know of the big Reef tank coming in, it sounds like that's just the start)
• Overall goal is to "build an inspiring place to build empathy for the Ocean, which starts with the foundation" (assuming foundation means young children since they are the next generation)

• Add Garden Eels (from Viva Baja)

• Add a Tropical Cephalopod of some sort (Flamboyant Cuttlefish were the first to come to mind since they don't need a ton of room) (from Tentacles)

• Add a species of Seahorse or Seadragon (from that one Seahorse and Pipefish exhibit years ago, I forgot the name of it) since it just hit me that the Aquarium currently exhibits no Seahorse species which is quite surprising.

I swear I had no prior knowledge of anything about the renovation besides the Reef tank and Penguin expansion haha, crazy coincidence
I can't believe it's really happening, I am so happy to hear this news. Not that the 3 species they mentioned aren't rare in Aquariums, but it makes me hopeful they're waiting reveal those species that are rare in Aquariums to be making a return. Overall, it sounds like it will absolutely squash the previous consensus of it being the weakest part of the Aquarium. Of course we will see how it looks in the end, but I don't know if MBA will have any parts you could consider underwhelming after this (besides the Seabird exhibit if I'm nitpicking).
Hopefully the Nudibranchs and Leaping Blennies stick around still since they name dropped the Pot Bellied Seahorses, they will still have a few temperate/coldwater tanks in the area.
This is more fantasy on my part but if they're able to bring back Weedy Seadragons (Leafy's are a big stretch, but it is MBA so..) Bigfin Reef Squid, Pajama Squid, and/or a Wunderpus, I would be beyond happy.
I will most definitely be making a trip down, whether for member previews or official public opening. I could see a Thanksgiving opening time frame being possible.

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

This is more fantasy on my part but if they're able to bring back Weedy Seadragons (Leafy's are a big stretch, but it is MBA so..) Bigfin Reef Squid, Pajama Squid, and/or a Wunderpus, I would be beyond happy.

via Matt Wandell (this was a public chat so it should be okay to post), a species they're looking at for Ocean in Motion is the Ghost Pipefishes, he didn't specify which species exactly but considering he was able to breed them when he worked at Steinhart/California Academy of Sciences, I would bet it's the Ornate Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus). The group in general isn't kept that often since they're super delicate in transport and have short lives in general, however considering people on the team have bred them before, I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out to be another species that MBA could breed routinely (however do note that he said if this happens, they will not be there for the exhibit opening). Would be another rarity to boast about.

Also should be noted that he said Into the Deep's runtime is currently "up in the air!" which is a good thing IMO since it's initial runtime was supposed to be 8 years, and no one from the Aquarium before has given an update about it's status, but it could get the "Splash Zone" treatment and become a permanent exhibit at the Aquarium, which I'd assume we're all hoping for. Fingers crossed they make it happen.

 

[Ebirah766]

via Matt Wandell (this was a public chat so it should be okay to post), a species they're looking at for Ocean in Motion is the Ghost Pipefishes, he didn't specify which species exactly but considering he was able to breed them when he worked at Steinhart/California Academy of Sciences, I would bet it's the Ornate Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus). The group in general isn't kept that often since they're super delicate in transport and have short lives in general, however considering people on the team have bred them before, I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out to be another species that MBA could breed routinely (however do note that he said if this happens, they will not be there for the exhibit opening). Would be another rarity to boast about.

Also should be noted that he said Into the Deep's runtime is currently "up in the air!" which is a good thing IMO since it's initial runtime was supposed to be 8 years, and no one from the Aquarium before has given an update about it's status, but it could get the "Splash Zone" treatment and become a permanent exhibit at the Aquarium, which I'd assume we're all hoping for. Fingers crossed they make it happen.

GHOST PIPEFISH!!!

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

GHOST PIPEFISH!!!

I think this would be a "first" for the Aquarium too, surprisingly. I can't find any archive of them being exhibited before, even in the "Secret Lives of Seahorses" special exhibit. Hopefully they're able to pull through, I've seen them appear on export lists and rarely in fish stores so I don't think the availability would be an issue, just a matter of getting them healthy is the issue so they might have to go and collect their own.
Another thing I may note was the Moray Eel tank was pretty controversial amongst the staff (he personally hated it he said) since it was the only non-live reef tank amongst the tropical tanks, so it sounds like every tank will be a live reef tank (which was kind of obvious anyways), but I'm sure if the Morays come back, it will be in a much better looking exhibit that better reflect an actual coral reef instead of a giant wall of white rock.

 

[Great Argus]

I think this would be a "first" for the Aquarium too, surprisingly. I can't find any archive of them being exhibited before, even in the "Secret Lives of Seahorses" special exhibit.

I don't recall them from Secret Lives of Seahorses, yeah I believe it would be a first. The aquarium has kept a wide variety of syngnathids in the past so they should be more than capable if they can get some healthy ghost pipes.

Another thing I may note was the Moray Eel tank was pretty controversial amongst the staff (he personally hated it he said) since it was the only non-live reef tank amongst the tropical tanks, so it sounds like every tank will be a live reef tank (which was kind of obvious anyways), but I'm sure if the Morays come back, it will be in a much better looking exhibit that better reflect an actual coral reef instead of a giant wall of white rock.

I mean it wasn't the worst moray exhibit out there, but yeah it was kind of a weak spot in the zone. I know morays often aren't put with live coral due to tendencies to topple anything loose but it certainly can be done. Will be interesting to see what they opt to do if morays return.

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

I don't recall them from Secret Lives of Seahorses, yeah I believe it would be a first. The aquarium has kept a wide variety of syngnathids in the past so they should be more than capable if they can get some healthy ghost pipes.

I did go back in the thread and saw you mentioned about the Leafy Sea Dragons, not to get anyone's hopes up they do work with Ocean Reef Aquaculture Australia (ex: They're the company who supplied the Ghost Sharks in ITD), and they're the only company in the entirety of Australia that is allowed to handle wild Leafy's (I think the story is they're only allowed 1 egg-carrying male a year, then once the babies are born, the male is released and they raise up the babies for aquariums), so honestly I don't think Leafy's are that much of a stretch, especially if they're prepping a year in advance, though Weedy's would easier to obtain for sure, but it is MBA so we'll see.
If anything, I wonder if they can be mixed the Pot-bellied Seahorses. I don't think I've seen a Seahorse/Sea Dragon mix before. But if not, at the very least, I would hope they can get some of those crazy Australian Boxfishes (Ornate, Whitebar, Smooth as examples, I'm pretty sure Shedd keeps all 3) to mix with the Pot-bellies. Would be pretty sweet to see since other Aquariums do it successfully.

Will be interesting to see what they opt to do if morays return.

If they happen to stick with the crawlthrough tunnel, making a tank like they did with the Shrimpfish that you can see both inside and outside from would be kind of neat since it'd fit the whole "coral cave" theme. The only moray I can recall ever seeing was the Zebra Moray anyways. Or if they happen to keep the tank that had the Calfornia Morays in it, just revamping it for Tropical Morays instead wouldn't be a bad idea.

I'm guessing we'll be waiting until at least early next year before we hear anything else about new/returning species since they just started construction. But I'm definitely looking forward to it

 

[Great Argus]

The only moray I can recall ever seeing was the Zebra Moray anyways.

The tank held at least four species, I've seen that many anyway over the years - Gymnomuraena zebra, Gymnothorax meleagris, Gymnothorax fimbriatus, and Gymnothorax favagineus. I never recall having any trouble seeing them but maybe that's just luck.

 

[splendens]

Seahorse/Sea Dragon mix

The Academy of Sciences used to keep their weedy sea dragons with the pot bellied seahorses in the circular tank. I don't believe I ever saw their leafy sea dragons in that tank, but they may have been mixed all together at one point.

 

[splendens]

I mean it wasn't the worst moray exhibit out there, but yeah it was kind of a weak spot in the zone. I know morays often aren't put with live coral due to tendencies to topple anything loose but it certainly can be done. Will be interesting to see what they opt to do if morays return.

Here is a private keeper who has kept a large moray in a fully stocked reef tank.

 

[SeaOtterHQ]

According to the latest MBA newsletter, unfortunately sea otter Ruby did not work out as a surrogate mother, so she will be transferred to another facility (I've heard it might be one of the PNW aquaria) to free up space for another potential surrogate mom. She'll be missed on the MBA ottercam, but hopefully she thrives at her new home!

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

she will be transferred to another facility (I've heard it might be one of the PNW aquaria)

I didn't think this rumor had merit to it when I first heard it since Vancouver has all Northern Sea Otters I believe (6 or 7 individuals, I can't remember), PDZA already has 3 Southern Sea Otters which looks like the max capacity for their space, Seattle has 2 Northern Sea Otters (there is the capacity to hold 3 as done in the past though), and Oregon Coast has all male Southern Sea Otters. Though like you pointed out, Shedd does currently mix 1 Northern and a few Southern Sea Otters together so it's doable. I don't think I can say more on the matter since it was just a rumor but I'm excited to see if she does land where I've heard she's landing. Can't wait to see who MBA also ends up bringing in as well.

Also in that same newsletter, they announced next Saturday (the 15th) and 1pm PST, they'll be doing a member's livestream with some of the team working on "Ocean in Motion", specifically about the Seahorses, and say they'll be revealing more information within that stream about the exhibit. I'll try my best to catch (hopefully I can at least catch a few minutes so I can go back and watch the whole thing later), but they'll be talking about past species they've exhibited which makes me wonder if that will lead up to an unveiling about which of those species will be coming back along with the Pot-bellied Seahorses, looking forward to it.

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

Ruby did not work out as a surrogate mother, so she will be transferred to another facility (I've heard it might be one of the PNW aquaria)

I don't think I can say more on the matter since it was just a rumor but I'm excited to see if she does land where I've heard she's landing.

And it's official, Ruby has been transferred to the Seattle Aquarium! (Here's a blurb I put out on the Seattle news thread)

(a more "official" announcement for Ruby specifically will be posted later today on the socials, but this is now public information).
I had heard of a rumor about this in early October but thought it was a joke at first. This is the same Ruby from Monterey Bay Aquarium, she's coming to Seattle since she didn't adapt well to MBA's surrogacy program and this move will allow MBA to bring in a new potential surrogate Otter, along with the opportunity for Seattle to educate guests about the differences between Northern and Southern Sea Otters, while also educating about the similar problems they face in the wild.

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

Also in that same newsletter, they announced next Saturday (the 15th) and 1pm PST, they'll be doing a member's livestream with some of the team working on "Ocean in Motion", specifically about the Seahorses, and say they'll be revealing more information within that stream about the exhibit.

I also went back and just skimmed over it since it was more of an educational stream about Seahorses, rather than talking about the exhibit. Not much came out of it from what I found, there was some cool behind the scenes footage of the holding area but all I could gather was:

• 'Ocean in Motion' opening next year around this time mentioned again (pretty safe to say we can expect a November opening it's been sounding like)
• They currently have only Female Pot-bellied Seahorses, waiting for the Males to arrive
• They're Aquacultured from Australia
• There are plans of breeding them in the future, but this will be later on after the exhibit opens

That's all I could gather unfortunately, was hoping they'd reveal a bit more but we are a year out from opening so its understandable. I will say, hopefully they're able to co-hab 1 of 2 of the temperate Australian Boxfish species with the Pot-bellied's like other Aquariums do.

Also a random fact they threw in, the Pipefishes near the 'Sandy Shores Aviary' are actually Kelp Pipefishes (Syngnathus californiensis), which they did clarify since they were talking about some taxonomic confusion between Kelp and Bay Pipefishes (infact, the signage on the tank does label them as "Bay Pipefishes") so this is good to know.

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

Over on the Aquarium's website, they mention the Sandy Shores Aviary is temporarly closed as they "make improvements to the exhibit". No timeline for when the Aviary will be open again, nor specific changes mentioned.

If it's worth anything, on the website, all of the Bird profiles have been wiped from the exhibit section (they still exist under the "Animals" page, but all of them say "not on exhibit" since they were wiped from the exhibit section, infact most of the previous exhibit information has been wiped). Hate to speculate but the renovation could be bigger than previously thought, still interesting they haven't mentioned anything on their socials about it (though to be fair, they didn't announce when the Splash Zone was closing either). The space has also been removed from the Aquarium map. Could be something to watch, MBA getting any new Shorebird species wasn't on my radar but it would be a really welcome surprise for sure.

Also, here is the 2024 Annual Review that was published back in May since it wasn't posted here and also the first time I'm seeing it. Not much we didn't know before, but there are some cool pictures and more logistical things in here for those that are interested
Issuu

 

[SeaOtterHQ]

Normally I wouldn't post an update like this in the zoo news section, but I think it's worth making an exception in this case. MBA has released a statement opposing the Trump administration's plans for new offshore drilling leases along the entire coast of California and other parts of the Pacific:

https://www.montereybayaquarium.org...en-waters-off-california-to-offshore-drilling

Today, the Trump administration’s Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a proposal for new offshore oil and gas drilling leases in U.S. waters that presents new threats to the ocean. The new proposal includes lease sales in federal waters across the entire coastline of California, as well as areas along the Gulf of Mexico and off Alaska. The Monterey Bay Aquarium opposes this proposed five-year oil and gas leasing and drilling plan and is unequivocal in its opposition to offshore oil and gas development. Healthy, intact ecosystems support thriving wildlife, clean air, and stable weather — all essential for people and nature to flourish.

“The science is clear,” said Monterey Bay Aquarium Executive Director Julie Packard. “We’re facing life-threatening impacts of climate change, and this ill-conceived effort to open massive parts of our ocean to offshore oil and gas leasing is a major step backward in the nation’s urgently needed transition away from fossil fuels.”

Oil spills threaten the coastline, wildlife, economy, and health. The long history of oil spills in U.S. waters includes the devastating blowout from an offshore drilling rig in Santa Barbara, California, in 1969. That coastline’s environment and communities took decades to recover. Another catastrophic spill off the California Coast could wipe out vulnerable species like southern sea otters, which live in a limited range, and could harm other endangered and threatened species like murrelets and albatrosses, blue and humpback whales, and leatherback sea turtles.

Safeguarding the ocean, restoring coastal ecosystems, and shifting to sustainable, climate-friendly practices ensures that everything from favorite outdoor places to beloved species can thrive.

“Common sense, science, and hard lessons from the devastating impacts of oil spills on wildlife, people and the local economy tell us we need to reject new oil and gas leasing in our ocean,” said Aquarium Chief Conservation and Science Officer Margaret Spring. “In doing so, decision makers would unlock a better future for coastal communities and economies, tourism, sustainable fisheries, and wildlife. That would benefit California, Americans, and our ocean, for decades to come.”

The Aquarium stands ready to work with decision makers to leverage the ocean’s natural strengths in the fight against climate change by ending offshore drilling, protecting and restoring marine habitats, safeguarding ocean life, supporting climate-ready fisheries, and reducing the production of fossil fuel-based plastic that quickly becomes plastic pollution.

This comes as the Trump administration also plans to roll back regulations in the Endangered Species Act:

Trump officials reveal plan to roll back regulations in Endangered Species Act

White House announces new oil and gas drilling off California and Florida