Monterey Bay Aquarium

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History

In the early 20th century, the idea of an aquarium in Monterey Bay began with a few visionaries, such as Frank Booth (the ‘Father of Cannery Row’) and Knut Hovden (builder of Hovden's Cannery), who saw the potential for showcasing the bay's rich marine life. Despite their efforts, including proposals for an aquarium in the 1910s and 1920s, no concrete plans materialized until the late 1970s.

The dream gained momentum in 1977 when a team of marine biologists, chose the abandoned Hovden Cannery site for a new aquarium. David and Lucile Packard joined the effort when looking for a foundation project, and provided $55 million. David Packard's vision emphasized bringing Monterey Bay's ecosystems to life, much like Hovden’s early dreams. With Packard’s support, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation was established in 1978, buying the land from Stanford University and cementing plans to transform the old cannery into a marine sanctuary.

Over the following years, designed by the architect Charles M. Davis, reflecting ‘the nature of Cannery Row itself - seemingly chaotic, a hodge-podge of roofs.’, construction began with challenges. The site’s seawall crumbled in 1980, requiring intense, tide-dependent engineering. By 1981, exhibits began to take form, with the Kelp Forest and Monterey Bay Habitats as centrepieces. Especially the Kelp Forest was a major achievement as no one had been able to grow kelp before. Making waves in the tank did the trick. The vision also integrated local culture and history, paying homage to marine biologist Ed Ricketts, an influential figure for his ecological research and friendship with author John Steinbeck.

The aquarium officially opened on 20 October 1984, with a spectacular celebration along Cannery Row, marking a new era in marine conservation and public education. The Monterey Bay Aquarium quickly captivated the public with its innovative exhibits and focus on the diverse marine life of Monterey Bay. The Kelp Forest exhibit, a groundbreaking three-story display, simulated the ocean environment in ways that had never been seen before, with live kelp swaying in the currents created by specialized wave machines. After only five months a million visitors had been greeted. Visitors that also were introduced to a dedicated Sea Otter exhibit, which became an instant favorite and paved the way for the development of the Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) programme. This program played a critical role in rehabilitating and studying the local sea otter population, including efforts to rescue and release orphaned or injured otters into the wild.

The founding Packard family remained deeply involved in the aquarium’s growth and vision. David Packard himself contributed to the design of several exhibits, including the wave machines in the Kelp Forest and the meticulous selection of materials used throughout the facility. Lucile Packard chose finishes for the aquarium’s interior that paid homage to the surrounding Cannery Row’s industrial heritage, incorporating salvaged materials from the old Hovden Cannery into the design. By retaining structures like the cannery’s pumphouse and boilers, the aquarium blended historical authenticity with a forward-looking commitment to marine conservation.

Within just a few years of opening, the aquarium had established itself not only as a public attraction but also as a leader in marine research and education. In 1985, they introduced outreach programmes that brought live marine animals and interactive learning experiences to classrooms, senior centres, and hospitals, extending the aquarium’s influence beyond its walls. Their dedication to research culminated in the founding of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in 1987, a collaboration aimed at exploring the largely uncharted Monterey Canyon. Funded by the Packard Foundation, MBARI focused on cutting-edge deep-sea research, utilizing state-of-the-art submersibles to document and study the canyon’s inhabitants.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the aquarium expanded its exhibits and influence. Special exhibitions like ‘Living Treasures of the Pacific’ and ‘Mexico's Secret Sea’ showcased diverse marine life from around the world and drew attention to global marine conservation issues. The establishment of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in 1992 underscored the aquarium’s role in protecting the bay’s ecosystems. Spanning more than 13,000 square kilometre, the sanctuary became a major conservation area, preserving habitats ranging from kelp forests to deep ocean canyons, ensuring that these unique environments would be protected for future generations.

By the 1990s, the aquarium continued to lead in innovative displays and conservation initiatives. In September 1993 the Aquarium receives the Bean Award, the highest honour bestowed by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, for work in the propagation of purple-striped jellies. The species had never reproduced before outside the wild, and the Aquarium’s success is the result of years of behind-the-scenes effort. The ‘Outer Bay’ exhibit, opening in 1996, was a landmark addition, housing a vast, open-ocean environment complete with large, free-swimming species like yellowfin tuna, California barracuda, and a massive ocean sunfish. With its massive acrylic viewing window, the Outer Bay exhibit became one of the most iconic features of the aquarium. It also symbolized the institution's ongoing commitment to educating the public about the threats facing marine life and the ocean’s delicate ecosystems.

The aquarium’s conservation efforts expanded further in the late 1990s and 2000s. The Seafood Watch programme, launched in 1999, provided guidelines for sustainable seafood choices, helping consumers make informed decisions to reduce overfishing and protect endangered marine species. This initiative soon became a national movement, with pocket guides distributed widely and eventually adapted into mobile applications, allowing people to access sustainable seafood recommendations on the go.

New exhibits and expansions kept visitors engaged with the aquarium’s mission well into the 2000s. In 2008, the Splash Zone exhibit was revamped to feature an immersive underwater experience, and the innovative ‘Hot Pink Flamingos’ exhibit, launched in 2010, explored the impacts of climate change on marine species. These exhibitions not only entertained but also educated the public about pressing environmental issues, from plastic pollution to global warming, underscoring the aquarium’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

As the aquarium celebrated its 20th and 25th anniversaries, it had firmly cemented its role as an institution dedicated to the preservation of marine life and education. By blending immersive exhibits, community outreach, and scientific research, the Monterey Bay Aquarium became a beacon for marine conservation, a model of innovation, and an enduring symbol of Monterey’s connection to the ocean.

In the decade following 2010, the Monterey Bay Aquarium deepened its commitment to marine conservation, influencing policy, expanding outreach, and fostering groundbreaking research.

In 2010, the aquarium inaugurated California Ocean Day in Sacramento, gathering legislators and advocates to recognize the importance of ocean health. This annual event would become a significant platform for rallying support for California’s ocean and coastal ecosystems. The following year, the aquarium championed a historic campaign to ban shark fin trade in California. Mobilizing thousands of voters, they joined forces with conservationists to protect shark populations, marking a pivotal success for marine wildlife protection.

APRIL 2010
The Aquarium routinely raises stranded sea otter pups behind the scenes using surrogate mothers, and then releases them to the wild. In April, two of these surrogate-reared otters give birth to pups of their own. They are the fourth and fifth pups born to surrogate-reared otters, and represent yet more success stories for the Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) programme.

As part of their conservation efforts sea otters are reared behind the scenes in the Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program. As of April 2010, five pups had been born to surrogate-reared otters. In this video you will see one of the sea otter mothers cares for her pup:

2012 saw a groundbreaking achievement as the aquarium played a central role in establishing the United States' first statewide network of marine protected areas along California’s coast. By combining science-driven advocacy with grassroots support, they helped safeguard vast stretches of California's diverse marine habitats.

In 2014, the aquarium’s influence extended nationally when the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration adopted a policy restricting longline fishing in the Gulf of Mexico to protect bluefin tuna, a species threatened by overfishing. The same year, the ‘Tentacles’ exhibit opened, showcasing mesmerizing octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish. This exhibit quickly became one of the aquarium’s most popular, immersing visitors in the world of these mysterious cephalopods.

The aquarium also fostered collaborative conservation by uniting U.S. aquariums in 2016 under the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP). With 28 aquariums working together, the ACP amplified ocean conservation efforts across the nation. In 2017, Monterey Bay Aquarium broke new ground in marine husbandry by successfully culturing the delicate spotted comb jelly and raising chambered nautiluses, furthering their expertise in caring for rare species.

Supported by a generous donation of $10 million, the aquarium’s Seafood Watch programme launched its first international project in 2017, focusing on sustainable shrimp farming in Southeast Asia. This marked the beginning of a global approach to sustainable seafood practices, with efforts spanning continents to improve the health of ocean ecosystems.

The opening of the Juli Plant Grainger Animal Care Center in 2018 expanded the aquarium’s ability to provide care for ocean animals while creating training opportunities for aspiring conservation veterinarians. That same year, Executive Director Julie Packard presented the aquarium’s Ocean-Climate Action Plan at the Global Climate Action Summit, spotlighting the interconnectedness of ocean health and climate change.

The Bechtel Family Centre for Education and Leadership welcomed its first students in June 2019. This centre, designed to provide ecosystem-based education, quickly became a hub for youth development programmes focused on marine science, inspiring future generations of conservationists.

The global COVID-19 pandemic temporarily closed the aquarium’s doors in March 2020, but the team adapted swiftly, maintaining animal care and connecting with the public through digital channels. After 14 months, they reopened to enthusiastic visitors in May 2021, with a renewed commitment to marine advocacy and education.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s mission, born four decades ago, remains steadfast. By captivating visitors of all ages, sparking a lifelong appreciation for marine life, and advocating for ocean preservation, the aquarium has become a sanctuary of wonder and an enduring symbol of Monterey’s coastal legacy. With every exhibit and outreach effort, the aquarium strives to inspire millions to cherish and protect the ocean and its fragile ecosystems.

(Source: website Monterey Bay Aquarium; YouTube channel Monterey Bay Aquarium; The Death & Life of Monterey Bay – a story of revival, by Stephen R. Palumbi and Carolyn Sotka, 2011)

Visit(s)

23.05.2013

The two story building once was the largest sardine cannery just before WWI when there was a need for protein rich food by the overseas army forces. Now it has been transformed into an aquarium it still is the largest building on Cannery row.

The set up of Monterey Bay Aquarium is based on and present the various habitats and flora and fauna of Monterey Bay. At some point they do not live up to their mission though, because I don't think penguins belong to the native wildlife of Monterey Bay. Certainly not black-footed penguins or African penguins which are only found exclusively in Africa. The penguin enclosure, by the way, is not very impressive and provides a rather small pool for the black-footed penguins. On the other hand there is the walk-through aviary that is situated indoors but has access to the outside. Via the wire-mesh fences the fresh ocean winds can come inside this part of the enclosure. Several indigenous shore birds can be seen here, such as the black oystercatcher and the red phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) in its breeding plumage, due to the time of the year of course.

Since the polluted bay area became so clean that kelp is growing there again different native species flourish also, such as the sea otter, their flagship species. In all their tanks they use the clean pristine bay water, and with this water invertebrates are coming in and will grow naturally in the aquarium basins. That way they present local flora and fauna in the Aquarium quite literally. Moreover, they go to great lengths in their exhibitions to show how fragile these habitats are. Their educational exhibitions about marine pollution, its effect on marine life and mankind are profound. The story about all the plastics we dump in the environment and which finally end up in the gyres of the ocean contains a very strong message.

Feeding time at the Aquarium's Open Sea exhibit is for many people the highlight of their visit to Monterey. The largest tank at the Aquarium provides enough space for the different fish species to coexist. The school of sardines, prey species for the Pacific blue tuna, spend most of their day at the bottom of the tank and only during feeding they move upwards and show their marvellous capacity to move as one entity, as a cloud through the exhibit (see video). After being fed, the sardines move downwards again to avoid the predator fish when they get their meal. It seems that, now and again, the more careless sardines end up in the predators' stomachs.

Viewing the Pacific sea nettle (Chrysaora fuscescens) and the moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) in Monterey Bay Aquarium water tanks can be a mesmerising and relaxing experience due to the slow but steady movement of these jellyfish (video). I missed the 'Secret Lives of Seahorses' exhibit, but I have been told this is great and as good as many of the other exhibits in Monterey Bay Aquarium.

The Aquarium is about raising awareness of Monterey Bay nature and ecosystems. Exactly this specific mission makes the Aquarium interesting in my opinion. They focus on that specific location while situated at the shores of the Bay. So the effect of their conservation effort regarding the sea otters is illustrated right outside. Monterey Bay Aquarium's mission is saving injured and orphaned sea otters to return them in the wild. From the viewing decks on the Bayside you have excellent views on the Monterey Bay, and wild sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are there to be seen. The ones that cannot take care of themselves (yet) can be seen inside, in the sea otter pool, but outside at open sea in front of the Aquarium buildings you can see these magnificent creatures in the wild. In the video it seems as if the captive otter is making its way through to open sea via a tunnel, though this is actually not the case.

They are very successful at the Aquarium in rescuing sea otters (see here) and their work supports the federal government, which protect and manage the Southern sea otter by law. This is a good thing of course, but it also means that it is not allowed to export any sea otter outside the United States. In fact, it means that sometimes cubs born in captivity in Californian zoological establishments that cannot be returned in the wild, have to be euthanized when there is no zoo or aquarium within US boundaries able to keep them. While I know that there are many zoos and aquariums in Europe that want to add sea otters to their animal collection.