Monterey Bay Aquarium is
California's largest aquarium with many award-winning
programs. Opened in May 1984, the four largest exhibits are
the Open Sea (1 million gallons; reopened July 2011); the
Kelp Forest (335,000 gallons); Monterey Bay Habitats
(326,000 gallons); and Sea Otters along the Rocky Coast
(55,000 gallons). One of the world's largest and first
aquariums to create large-scale jellyfish exhibits boasts
than 80,000 animals and plants representing over 1,700
species of fishes, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, birds
and plants found in Monterey Bay and other marine habitats
worldwide. These living habitats are vital to the survival
of life on Earth.
Awe Inspiring: Monterey Bay Aquarium
By Craig MacDonald
The Monterey Bay Aquarium, which has become internationally known for
its incredible ocean conservation efforts, was born on October 20, 1984. That's
when the official grand opening was held.
I was there, with my mother and 3-year-old son, the weekend it opened
Oct. 20-21, 1984, and it has been creating major waves ever since.
Spectacularly-built at the south end of Cannery Row, the amazing
aquarium has played host to over 50 million visitors (including school
kids,) and distributed more than 32 million Seafood Watch Guides which
objectively show people the best ocean-friendly seafood. The Seafood
Watch Program has even shifted the buying habits of the two biggest food
service companies.
The aquarium's cutting-edge research and advocacy programs further help
protect white shark, tuna and sea otters. Innovative exhibits, in the
area previously made famous by John Steinbeck, even inspired the
creation of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary--the largest
national marine sanctuary in the Continental United States.
It's the only aquarium to successfully exhibit Great White Sharks, be
home to the first living kelp forest and the largest living exhibit of
deep sea creatures ever created, as well as the unbelievable jellyfish
exhibits.
As a former Conference Director for one of the top companies in the
World, I've never found a more incredible facility--full of awe and
wonder to go along with delicious food--than this place. I have put on
several major dinners in the Outer Bay Wing and Kelp Forest areas and
not only are the venues awesome but the employees were an absolute
delight to work with.
Credit must be given to David and Lucille Packard, whose foresight and
funding helped create this fabulous facility as well as the Monterey Bay
Research Institute. Under the loving stewardship of their daughter,
Aquarium Executive Director Julie Packard, the caring team members, over
1,250 volunteers and the exciting creatures, the MBA continues to spread
fascination and understanding of the oceans to young and old alike,
gaining a new appreciation of the water that makes up more than 70% of
the Earth's surface.
If you haven't been to the Aquarium, go see it. If you can't go, you can
still participate through podcasts and their website (montereybayaquarium.org).
If you want to make ocean-friendly seafood choices and eat healthier,
visit Seafood Watch on the Internet. If you join the aquarium as a
member, you get all sorts of benefits from unlimited free admission, to
discounts at the stores and for programs plus lots more.
It's no wonder the aquarium has inspired more than 24 others that have
been created the past quarter century. A visit there will change your
life!
Craig MacDonald is a Pulitzer Prize nominee, an
Historian and Journalist.