Shorelines Fall10 Full
Content
MEMBER
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Director’s Note
Ocean Policy
M O N T E R E Y
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Open Sea
B A Y
MAGAZINE
FALL
2010
10 12 What’s New
Member Activities
A Q U A R I U M
SH RE LINES Sea otters are charming animals that need our help.
Director’sNote
Julie Packard Executive Director
I’ve spent most of my adult life trying to raise the profile of the oceans and their importance in our lives. So it’s been a cruel irony to at last see the oceans in the headlines every day, through the nightmare of the largest environmental disaster in American history.
for whatever we lose (like a you or a me) it’s always ourselves we find in the sea.
– e.e. cummings
The catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico began just before the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and for most people it was a somber reminder of the devastating impact humans are having on the oceans. Sadly, for the people and wildlife in the region, the aftereffects will last for decades. It’s clear that all players were grossly underprepared to prevent and respond to a disaster of this magnitude. But amid the finger-pointing, someone’s missing: We, the public. Why haven’t we learned from past experience? Why can’t we muster the political will to approve policies that our oceans and coasts deserve? The damage to the Gulf has renewed my resolve to be sure the Monterey Bay Aquarium truly makes a difference for the future of the oceans. I can’t thank you enough for the support you provide to help make this vision a reality. Because of you, I feel energized and hopeful about the future.
For more than 25 years, our top priority has been to create and maintain the best aquarium in the world, as a source of inspiration for millions of visitors. As you’ll read in this issue, we’ll begin significant renovations to our Outer Bay wing in September. When it reopens next summer, we’ll engage visitors with new experiences and animals and tell compelling stories about the magnificent animals that live in the Open Sea. But inspiration alone is not enough. We must understand the threats facing ocean wildlife and ecosystems, and take action to address those threats. That’s why, from the very beginning, rigorous scientific research has been central to our conservation work. We have been — and remain — a leader in conducting research that will help save charismatic animals like California’s threatened sea otters, ocean-roaming great white sharks and bluefin tuna.
These remarkable animals are important in their own right, and as indicators for the well-being of the ecosystems of which they are a part. When we help them, we contribute to the health of our coastal and offshore waters. This fall, we’ll ask you to support our new Open Sea exhibits and further our critical research that is essential for saving the animals we love and the oceans that sustain us all. I hope you’ll participate. In the face of the tragedy in the Gulf, there’s much to do, on many fronts. Working together, I’m confident we can address the challenges and make a difference for the oceans. Thank you again for your enduring support.
www.montereybayaquarium.org
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Taking Action for the Oceans Big Challenges, Big Solutions by Michael Sutton In early June, Julie Packard and I met with key members of Congress and the Obama Administration during Capitol Hill Ocean Week — an annual series of events that put a spotlight on ocean issues. We were encouraged to hear unanimous, bipartisan commitment to take meaningful action to protect our oceans. Real reform is within reach, and the Aquarium is well-positioned to advocate for thoughtful, effective policies that address the major threats facing our oceans today. We have long worked to win approval for a set of critical policy recommendations offered by two national ocean commissions — recommendations that have languished for a decade but that now have the attention of decision-makers. For too long, we have managed our oceans with little regard for preserving the living systems so essential to our survival. That must change. There was important progress in July, when President Obama signed an executive order establishing a first-ever National Ocean Policy — one that makes protection and restoration of our coasts and oceans the top priority for all federal agencies that manage marine resources. We are also supporting creation of an Ocean Investment Fund similar to one that already exists in California, to use revenues
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Mysteries of the Deep Research notes from MBARI
from offshore oil and gas leasing and other sources to protect the living resources that are put at risk by drilling operations. Legislation to create the investment fund, and to give greater protection to ecologically sensitive waters, is now moving through Congress. The distinctive blue coloration also shows up in a series of spots and stripes on its head.
Because of growing threats to the oceans worldwide from the carbon pollution associated with global climate change — warming seas, ocean acidification and rising sea levels chief among them — it is clearly time to commit to a future based not on fossil fuels but renewable energy. The environment will benefit, we’ll have new sources of green jobs, and we will no longer jeopardize places like the Arctic and the deep sea.
Bright blue stripes – even more striking set against a copper-colored body – run from head to tail.
The striped surfperch’s bright colors and oval body may mimic a typical tropical fish, but it is found in colder subtropical and temperate waters along rocky coasts and in kelp beds, and occasionally in sandy surf near rocks.
We’ve learned, at a tremendous cost, that the risks and negative impacts are far too great. The Gulf oil catastrophe has focused national attention on the health of our oceans as never before. In the midst of this human and ecological tragedy, we have an unprecedented opportunity to make a difference. This is a decisive moment for our oceans. Congress and the Obama Administration are preparing to act. With your help and support, we’ll get closer to our goal of a future with healthy oceans.
by Kim Fulton–Bennett Since 1996 the Aquarium’s Outer Bay exhibit has given visitors a glimpse of life in the open sea. It has also helped people understand the need to protect the magnificent and graceful animals that inhabit this expansive world. But not even the Outer Bay exhibit can show ocean life in all its depth. The vast majority of animals in the ocean live far below the surface. In fact, the “deep pelagic zone” – the dark waters between the ocean surface and seafloor – may harbor more animals than any other habitat on Earth. In a recent scientific report, MBARI marine biologist Bruce Robison points out that many ocean threats – rising ocean temperatures, increasing acidity, decreasing oxygen, and chemical pollution – affect deep-sea animals just as they affect animals near the sea surface.
We must also invest in science, to better understand the deep ocean and how to protect marine life.
Michael Sutton is vice president and director of our Center for the Future of the Oceans. 4
Striped surfperch - Embiotoca lateralis
The surfperch family is unique in that their eggs are fertilized internally and mature over the winter months until the fry are born alive in late spring. While the young benefit from the protection of the mother at this critical stage, overfishing of pregnant females could affect the population.
A larger mouth than most surfperch lets it eat larger prey, including mollusks, crustaceans, brittle stars, worms and shrimp.
The diversity and sheer numbers of deep-sea animals suggests they are too important to be ignored. According to Robison, “The animals in this huge habitat make up essential links in the oceanic food web. They also provide food for important commercial species like tuna and salmon, as well as for whales, turtles, and giant squid."
Because we know so little about deep-sea animals, human activities could wipe out entire species before we even know they exist. Animals that reproduce quickly, such as jellies and squids, might end up replacing animals that mature late and bear fewer young. In order to detect such changes in the deep sea, researchers must first have some idea of what’s down there. Scientists also need basic information on what deep-sea animals eat and how they reproduce. Robison suggests that, as a precautionary measure, we should create biological preserves in the deep sea, just as we are doing in coastal waters. In the long term, marine biodiversity is more than just a scientific buzzword. It’s a key measure of the health and stability of the oceans. Robison puts it this way: “Protecting the stability of the ecosystem that provides a major portion of the world’s food supply is obviously in our best interest.” The Gulf oil disaster is a perfect illustration of the challenges facing these animals. In June, we sent one of our autonomous underwater vehicles to help scientists investigate the spill's impacts on deep-ocean life. We’ll report back on this in future issues of Shorelines.
Kim Fulton-Bennett is a communications associate for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). www.montereybayaquarium.org
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We first introduced the mystery and wonder of the open ocean to visitors on a grand scale with the debut of our award-winning Outer Bay galleries in 1996. Now, many of the exhibits will be redesigned with new animals and stories.
OuttoSea&OntheGo Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta
In September, we’ll begin the renovation that will culminate with the grand opening of our new Open Sea galleries in July 2011. You’ll find a new look interpreting a new theme: “Out to sea and on the go – life’s in constant motion in the open ocean. We have a chance, right now, to protect this wild place.” This message speaks to the strong conservation emphasis woven throughout the galleries to protect ocean animals from the growing threats they face in the wild, as is supported by our field
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Sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus
research with key species like white sharks and bluefin tuna. “The Open Sea galleries will address the affects of climate change, plastics pollution and other human impacts on the oceans,” says Senior Exhibit Developer Jaci Tomulonis. “As always, we’ll point to positive solutions. We’ll also show that making ocean-friendly changes in your daily life can directly affect their health.” You’ll find a fresh look to some of your favorite experiences, such as jellies, Pacific sardines and the million-gallon Open Sea exhibit. We’re also adding several new exhibits, including multimedia experiences about sea turtles, seabirds, and plankton — the critical foundation of
Northern sea nettle Chrysaora melanaster
most ocean life. New live exhibits will feature loggerhead and green sea turtles, puffins and auklets. We’ll interpret the region from Monterey Bay to Cabo San Lucas to Hawaii and introduce exciting new species, including sharks and rays we’ve never exhibited before. To support our work, we’ve opened a state-of-the-art Animal Research and
Care Center. The 32,000-square-foot, 300,000-gallon facility in the city of Marina gives us space to raise new animals and offers the room we need for research and development of future exhibit species. We’re thrilled about the possibilities. The Center contains three large holding pools, each 10 feet deep, with a combined capacity almost equal to our Kelp Forest. The largest, a 60-by-40 foot oval, is ideal
for open-ocean sharks that need room to glide and turn easily. The facility also boasts the latest in “green” operations. Initially, it will house animals transferred from the Outer Bay exhibit during renovations. We’ll also use it as a treatment center for large sharks and rays, and as a holding facility for exhibit animals or those planned for release to the wild. Additionally, it will serve as a home for animals that are easier to collect and transport when small, until they grow to a size suitable for our exhibits. We’ll have more news to share in the coming months. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to our e-newsletter on our website to receive the latest news.
Please help make our Open Sea galleries a reality and further our critical ocean conservation programs. Science is at the core of our work to understand the threats facing ocean animals like tunas, sea otters and great white sharks. With your support, we will continue to make a difference for these threatened species, and inspire visitors to care about them and protect them for future generations. Please contact our Development department at 800-840-4880 to speak to someone about making your gift today. Thank you. www.montereybayaquarium.org
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Ten lively young sea turtles from SeaWorld San Diego have a new home in Hot Pink Flamingos. Some of these juveniles, plus the larger turtles they replaced, will be part of the new Open Sea galleries that debut in July 2011.
Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas
Connect with the Aquarium, and explore the oceans beyond, from the comfort of home with our newly updated video collection. Search for your favorite animals, watch videos in full-screen format, e-mail them to friends and see the newest and most popular videos, all on our website.
White Shark Carcharodon carcharias
Inside Stories
The death of our most recently exhibited and released great white shark in a gill net off of Baja California reminds us that this species – and all sharks – face significant threats. Our Juvenile White Shark Project tags and tracks animals in the wild, gathering valuable information about their behavior so we can better protect them in the wild.
Stay on top of your seafood choices with the latest version of the Seafood Watch iPhone app coming soon. You’ll see a fresh new look and features including a “What’s New” feed, our “Super Green” seafood list, automatic updates (no more tiresome downloads), a culinary chart of alternatives, plus a few surprises. American avocet Recurvirostra americana Sustainable seafood at your fingertips.
Ocean sunfish Mola mola
For over 25 years, we have relied on our members and donors for support to create exhibits and programs that inspire conservation of the oceans. We are proud of the trust you have placed in us to use your contributions wisely and have highlighted our achievements in the 2009 Annual Review. Read it in the “About Us” section of our website or call 800-840-4880 to request your copy.
Did you know that our Aviculture team has released more than 50 threatened snowy plovers to the wild? We care for rescued birds, and incubate and hatch eggs from abandoned nests. The chicks – tiny puffs of feathers atop spindly legs – grow and gain strength before they are released to join the wild population. Snowy plover Charadrius alexandrinus
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Avocets are found across North America in open country near wetlands, marshes, beaches, prairie ponds and shallow lakes – habitats that lose acreage every year in part due to development and pollution.
What’s New Born in the Wild
Kit’s Latest News
After several weeks in the spotlight, Kit, the wildly popular sea otter pup, went to “Otter U” in early April. Kit and her 9-year-old companion, Mae, were transferred behind the scenes to give Kit more experience handling and consuming live prey — a necessary skill for sea otters to master, especially otters that may become surrogate mothers or companions, for other stranded pups. Since then, Kit has become adept at cracking open mussels with her teeth and breaking open manila clams by pounding
them on hard surfaces. She is still flummoxed by crab claws, however. She drops a crab every time it pinches her, then retrieves it — only to repeat the process again and again. (This lesson might take a while to learn!) Socialization is another important part of Kit’s education. Early on, Kit and Mae were housed with two otter mates – Rosa, the Aquarium’s 11year-old surrogate otter mother and her current female pup. The rambunctious pups play often, but when it’s time to rest, the four females stay snuggled closely to one another both in and out of the water. We anxiously await Kit’s transition from pup to adolescent, and her return to the sea otter exhibit.
Kit Goes to Otter U! Throughout September, you’ll hear more about Kit’s experiences at “Otter U” in special editions of our lively e-newsletter. If you haven’t already, please subscribe on our website. And, don’t miss our Sea Otter Member Night on Saturday, September 11. We’ll have special programming and fun activities — all about otters.
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How Sea Otters Contribute to Healthy Oceans
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calculated the value of kelp’s carbon sink and how much individual sea otters contribute.
ew of us need new reasons to save sea otters. Beyond their undeniable charm, they play a key role in preserving healthy kelp forest ecosystems. Without sea otters, herbivores like urchins munch their way through the forest, leaving a barren and desolate seafloor. By devouring urchins, otters preserve — and restore — kelp forests.
On the open market, these critter carbon credits would be worth around $700 million. And that’s with fewer than 3,000 otters here in California. Imagine if the population could be restored to full health!
Now there’s a new reason to thank sea otters for this service. Giant kelp forests lock up carbon dioxide through photosynthesis — what climate scientists refer to as “carbon sink.” Scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz have
That’s why our Sea Otter Research and Conservation team works hard to return animals to the wild, and conducts research to learn why the population is rebuilding so slowly. Our veterinarian, Dr. Mike Murray, plays a central role in our
efforts in California, Alaska and Russia where he contributes to our growing understanding of the link between the health of coastal waters and the survival of sea otters. To help, you can support our sea otter research and, through your California State Taxes, make a voluntary contribution to the Sea
Otter Fund. (Sadly, 2010 may be the last year this is an option.) You can also join us in supporting federal funding for critical sea otter research. Take action today at www.montereybayaquarium.org/oa.
THANK YOU Our work to save sea otters is made possible by the generous support we receive from dedicated individuals like you. At a time when threats to the oceans are growing in so many ways, we’re deeply grateful to all our donors. You are making a difference for the animals we love and for the healthy oceans we need. Thank you.
We’re thrilled to announce the births of three sea otter pups — one each to three otters, all reared as stranded pups by surrogate otter mothers here at the Aquarium before being returned to the wild. Since 2005, we’ve raised and released stranded pups with the help of three exhibit sea otters — Joy, Toola and Rosa — who share behindthe-scenes duties as surrogate mothers. The recent births bring to six the number of pups born in the wild to surrogate-raised adult females that were cared for through our Sea Otter Research and Conservation program. “These births and the successful weaning of pups in the wild is significant because the sea otters are not only surviving following release, they are also contributing reproductively to the wild population,” says Animal Care Coordinator Karl Mayer. “This is
the benchmark of successful rehabilitation and reintroduction efforts.” Currently, there are seven surrogate-reared otters in the wild (three males and four females). All of the females have given birth and successfully weaned pups in the wild. A 5-year-old female, “MBA 339,” was the first. She delivered a male pup in July 2008, which she weaned in March 2009. This year she gave birth to her second pup, a female, in April. Preliminary evidence suggests that surrogatereared pups we’ve returned to the wild have a fairly high rate of survival. Sixty percent have lived a minimum of one year after release, compared to a survival rate of less than 30 percent for pups reared exclusively by people. Over the past two decades we’ve cared for nearly 500 sea otters – both injured or diseased adults and stranded pups. Our staff and veterinarians’ pioneering work in developing diets and successful procedures have resulted in high survival rates.
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Halloween Party Saturday, October 30 7 to 10 p.m. Member Fee: $15 per person; children under 3, free
Aquarium Adventures Advance registration is required for all programs. Please call our Reservation Center at 866-9639645 to register, or stop by the Aquarium Adventures and Member Desk in the main lobby. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Put on your costume and join the skeletons and sea stars, black cats and bat rays for an evening of haunted activities and ghostly good times. Kids of all ages love this event featuring face painters, strolling magicians and stilt walkers. Limited to members only – please, no guests. Reservations are required and tickets are non-refundable. Halloween Dinner Saturday, October 30 6:30 p.m. Member Fee: $55 for adults; $35 for children under 12
Morning Rounds Most Thursdays and Sundays Member Fee: $45 General Public Fee: $65 plus Aquarium admission
Member Activities
Seashore Sleepovers August 28, November 20 and January 14, 2011 7 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Ages: 5 and older Member and Member Guest Fee: $50
Start your evening with our special buffet-style Halloween Dinner. Price includes dinner and ticket to the Halloween Party. Seating is limited; advance reservations are required; tickets are non-refundable. For tickets to the Party or Dinner, call the Membership Office at 831-648-4880 or 800-840-4880; or stop by the Member Entrance when you visit. Early registration is advised. Save the Date! Cooking for Solutions 2011 – May 20-22 Join us for our annual culinary gala and other special events celebrating sustainable cuisine. We’ll have details about chefs, programs and very special guests in our next issue. Hotel Accommodations Visit Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau at wwww.seemonterey.com
Members’ Holiday Event and Sale Friday, December 3 7 to 10 p.m. Kick off your holidays with a visit to the Aquarium for this very special Member Night. It’s the perfect way to share some fun holiday cheer with friends and family while getting a jump start on your shopping.
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storytelling in the auditorium and photo opportunities with Santa! Reservations are not required and guest cards are honored. Please enter through the Main Entrance for this event.
Member Nights Member Nights are the perfect opportunity to enjoy the Aquarium. Take part in our special programming or watch sharks, sea otters and jellies at your leisure. Free for members; registration is not required.
Join Us for Dinner On this night only, we’re please to offer an additional 10% off in our Gift and Bookstores – for a 20% discount on your entire purchase. You can choose a gorgeous glass piece by Richard Satava, an adorable eco-friendly penguin plush, or select from new merchandise making its debut during the event. We’ll also feature wine tasting from local vineyards and special activities throughout the evening, including a fun craft for kids,
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Interact with our exhibit animals as an aquarist would and experience a private viewing of a sea otter feeding and training session. You’ll go behind the scenes and help prepare food, feed animals and learn daily maintenance for exhibits.
Member Dinners Bring your family and friends for a casual buffet-style dinner in the Portola Café. We’ll offer a variety of stations with local, seasonal and organic selections including delicious soups and salads, choice of entrees and delectable desserts. Reservations are available between 6 and 7:30 p.m. on November 20, December 3 and January 14. Reservations suggested; please call Portola at 831-648-4870. Cost is $36 for adults; $15 for children under 12 (plus tax).
Wine and Food Lovers' Dinner Series Saturday, September 11, 7:30 to 10 p.m. Join Executive Chef David Anderson for a delicious dinner featuring local sustainable cuisine, and meet some of our community's best food and wine experts. Please call the Membership Office at 831-648-4880 to make reservations. Cost is $130 per person (includes tax and gratuity) and includes reception, dinner and wine pairings.
Saturday, September 11: Sea Otters 7 to 9 p.m. Don’t miss our Sea Otter Member Night! We’ll have special programming and fun activities — all about otters — including a look at Kit’s time behind the scenes at “Otter U” where she learned essential skills to someday become a companion for other stranded pups in our Sea Otter Research and Conservation program. Saturday, November 20: Nocturnal November 7 to 9 p.m. Join us for a fun night featuring programs and activities about the Aquarium animals most active at night. Friday, January 14: Gray Whales 7 to 9 p.m. Learn more about the epic migrations these animals make each year through the Monterey Bay.
Family sleepovers are a special way to enjoy the Aquarium after hours and sleep next to your favorite exhibit. We offer activities throughout the evening or you can explore the Aquarium on your own. The evening concludes with a bedtime snack. In the morning, wake up with the fishes and enjoy a continental breakfast in the Portola Restaurant. Youth Group Sleepovers We also offer special sleepovers during the year for youth groups. Contact our Reservation Center for details. Special Offer on Behind-the-Scenes Tours Starting September 6, we’re excited to offer members a special opportunity to enjoy two Behind-the-Scenes Tours for the price of one (regular price is $10 per person). This offer applies to our 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. tours, and is available by calling the Reservations Center at 866-963-9645.
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Jane Steel Ocean Legacy Circle
MemberCalendar Fall&Winter 2010-11 Thank You
October Fiesta del Mar
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November
Halloween Party
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Member Exclusive Early Openings, 9 a.m. November 11-14 November 25-28 Member Night Nocturnal November
December 3
Member Exclusive Early Openings, 9 a.m. December 26-31 Members’ Holiday Event and Sale
January
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Member Exclusive Early Opening, 9 a.m. January 1 January 15-17 Member Night Gray Whales
Member Dinner Member Dinner
Member Dinner
Seashore Sleepover
Seashore Sleepover Feathered Friends
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The Jane Steel Ocean Legacy Circle honors the 291 individuals who have designated gifts to the Aquarium through their estate plans. Their contributions include bequests, remainder trusts, designations of 401K retirement plans and insurance policies. We are very grateful to the following donors for allowing us to recognize them and their commitment to a future with healthy oceans:
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Clark
Sue Hovda
Greg Nelson
Mike and Jennie Cobb
Judee Humburg
Jill Nelson Lynch
Mr. and Mrs. Jack M. Sikorski and Family
Carol E. Colip and Kitti Barth
Alfred and Irena Iannamico
Jennifer Neumann
Louis R. Sipos
Richard and Jean Collins
Pete and Sharon Irish
Mark, Suzanne, Rachael and Erin Spradley
Bruce Cormier
David M. Jargiello
Claudia Newbold and Howard Schopman
Jim and Kristi Jenkins
Mr. and Mrs. Gus Norton
Marilyn A. Steinhart
Colleen Courtney
Myra and James Steinwinder
Paul and Shelly Crain
Susan Jenkins
Kevin and Bea Olsen
A. Margaret Jones
Brigitte and Paul Olson
Cynthia A. Stephenson
Garrett and Jane Cross Connie R. Curry and Tom B. Lawrence
Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Kaleda
Anthony Onorati and Brian Benamati
Jennifer Stern and Jeffrey Pugh
Russell S. Orten and Catherine G. Orten
Dr. Charles A. and Mrs. Carol L. Sweet Jr.
Artie and Judy Davidson Dorrill and Brian Davis
Kurt and DeeDee Kiesow Family Trust
Carrie and Jim Dean
Bonnie Killip
Anne Tewksbury
Lauren and Anders Petterson
Anne and Peter Thorp
Mrs. Ross W. Phinney
Earl D. Thorp
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Labruyere
Margaret B. Donat
Erling Lagerholm
Mr. and Mrs. David M. Dormedy
Bill and Jean Lane
Dr. Kathleen Albert and Ms. Madeline Pfeiffer
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dougherty
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin B. Lane
Alan Pomatto and Alison Jones-Pomatto
Russell R. Tripp
Barbara S. Allgood
Karen and Phillip Drayer
David Laudenat
William Ponder
Van Tunstall and Susan Churchill
Lani Avocet and John Van Horne
Frank and Terry Ducato
Sharon M. Lee
Jane Przeslica and Richard Miller
John H. Tyler
Gil Ayron
Mr. Gayle Dukelow and Ms. Rosalyn Zakheim
Barbara LeFevre
Elton Linwood Puffer
Cynthia L. Vernon
Dr. John Lilley and Dr. Mary Sanfelippo-Lilley
Alan D. Rammer
Betty von Maszynski
David and Joby Dupuis
Paul and Yuanbi Ramsay
Harold and Wanda Wake
Pamela Erlandson-Fives
John and Nancy Love
Mr. and Mrs. Kent Evans
Robert Lundeen
Terri Tienken
Gary and Ellen Rauh
Mr. and Mrs. Chance Wales
Don and Dorothy Reinke
Mr. and Mrs. James Watanabe
Bob and Betty Ricks Dennis W. Riddle
David K. Watson and Karen L. Kortlander
Craig and Laurel Robertson
Hilda Wax
Lynn Fanelli
Carolann and Roger Manley
Robyn Farrant
Jim Marrocco
Happy Fitzgerald
George and Jo Ann Martin
Mr. and Mrs. James Fitzgerald
Patti Mason
Jacqueline Frazier
David and Karen Mast
Scott F. Gibbons
Joan Roudenbush
Skip Wickiser and Liza Horvath
Richard Gleason and Sarah Hedges
Kenneth J. and Katharine Louise Masterson
Cynthia K. Williams Mr. and Mrs. John A. Williams
Charles and Carolyn Bloom Andrea K. Boehmer Patrice Boeke and Tom Alburn Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Bolt
Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Robidoux
David and Doris Weindorf
Jack and Doreen Roth
Larry D. Welling
John L. Goldberg
Dr. Hugh A. McAllister Jr.
Kim Rubin and Jan Hollander
Carol and William E. McCarey
Robert Ryon
Deborah Goldstein
Ed Wong
Theodore A. and Gail A. Brekke
Neil and Diane Goodhue Family Trust
Mr. and Mrs. Robert McCleary
Jeannette Saporito
Matthew McClendon
Michael Scharfenstein
Mark and Pamela Wootten
Marge Brigadier
Doug McIntyre and Kimberly Wiefling
Robert and Kay Schroer
Karen and Henry Work
Howard L. Gosch
Jeanine Schryer
Chunlin Xue and Bin Yan
Barbara F. Borthwick James and Donna Brady Mr. and Mrs. John Bray
Rebecca and Matthew Bright
Judy and Danny Gutierrez
Paul O. Brohmer
Nina Hadden
A. Ken and Francine Meadors
John D. Scott and Iole Taddei
Nathan Broshear and Stephanie Lyons
In memory of Mandy Hafleigh
Mr. and Mrs. Vaso Medigovich
Jeanette B. Sechrist
Jim Hafner and Nancy Jaxon
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Meininger
Glenn Seiler and Pamela Kearby
Charlie Halfmann
Lenore Meyer and Dale Meyer
Larry and Shirley Selzle
Thomas Hart Hawley
W. J. Michaely and Jancy Rickman
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Sharp
Alys Hay
Ken Mignosa and Tammy McCrory
Ann Sheehan
Anne and Donald Haydock
Jim and Willy Mitchell
Kathy Shields
Sandra Hayes and Brian Pilcher
Bruce E. Mitchener
John and Donna Shoemaker
Mr. and Mrs. Ron Heater
Timothy I. and Diane M. Molter
Al and Joyce Siegling
Peggy H. Hicks
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Moore
Charles and Janice Holland
Vicki Moore and Scott Chan
Jeanne S. Holmquist
Mary Mullen
Wayne and Judith Hooper
Janet Musson
Arthur W. Hormel
Paul and Judy Myers
Ginger Brown and Thomas Savarino Lucy Cameron Calvin and Jennifer Carr Joe Carrión Dave Carver and Sylvia Downing Mr. and Mrs. Rick Cathcart
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Karen Patchen
Sunny and Harry Kohn
Gary and Lanaya Dix
Bethel Family Trust
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Michelle D. Terry and Samuel W. Terry
Barbara W. Deméré
Martine Bennett
Not sure when your membership expires? Do you need to update your contact information? You can now view and manage your membership information online. Visit www.montereybayaquarium.org/account to access your account today.
Thomas W. Page Jack S. Parker
Nick and Sue Kinney
Mr. and Mrs. James R. Bell
This holiday season, surprise your loved ones with the gift of free admission to the Aquarium all year long. Your friend or family member will enjoy all the benefits of membership and you'll help support our work to inspire conservation of the oceans. It's the perfect way to celebrate the season — and the oceans. There are three easy ways to purchase a gift membership: go online to www.montereybayaquarium.org, call the Membership Office at 800-840-4880 or stop by the Member Desk when you visit.
Kathleen Talbert-Hill Mr. and Mrs. Scott W. Teaford
Betty S. Koch
Donald E. Baker
Manage Your Membership Online
Sharon Osberg Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Owen
Mr. and Mrs. Ron DeLettera II
Faith Wilcox Barrington
Give the Gift of Membership
June Duran Stock
Esther and Daniel DeBra
Mr. and Mrs. David W. Baka
Feathered Friends
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kenrich
If you have named The Aquarium in your estate plan, please let us know so we may personally thank you and welcome you into the Jane Steel Ocean Legacy Circle. Contact Linda Jaffe at [email protected] or 831-648-4877.
thanks
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Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation
Time dated materials enclosed
Hugh Van Valkenburg Honors the Aquarium With $1 Million Bequest
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Donors like Hugh and Helen Van Valkenburg enable us to continue developing new exhibits, and furthering our education, research and outreach programs in perpetuity, ensuring that their passion for the oceans will continue for generations.
harter member Hugh Van Valkenburg cared deeply about the survival of our planet. A family member said, “He lived frugally and asked that at his death we pass his savings on to the Aquarium to further its work in maintaining healthy and beautiful oceans.”
We’re deeply grateful for their commitment. Mr. Van Valkenburg was an engineer and worked in the space program for Lockheed for many years. After retiring, he and his wife, Helen, moved from Palo Alto to the Monterey area. According to his family, Mr. Van Valkenburg was intrigued with the mechanical and scientific processes at the Aquarium and was especially interested in our research efforts.
For further information about bequests or other estate planning questions please contact Linda Jaffe at [email protected] or 831-648-4877.
Hugh and Helen Van Valkenburg
supervising editor: Ken Peterson art director: Jim Ales vice president, development: Mary Mullen senior designer: Debra Naeve designer: Ken Beckwith editor: Karen Jeffries writers: Angela Hains, Jenny Slafkosky photo researcher: Gail Skidmore printing: Blanchette Press Printed on recycled paper
vol. 26 no. 3 fall 2010
credits: Ed Bierman (13 center right) Charlene Boarts (cover top 2, 3, 4, 5), Jim Capwell (10-11, 11 top), Ann Caudle (4-5, 8 bottom left, 8 top right, 8 center bottom, 14), Mark Conlin (6 top left), Kip Evans (2), Sergey Galushko / Shutterstock Images (12-13 top), George Grall / National Geographic Stock (7 top right), MBARI (5 top right), Debra Naeve (4 top left), Wai Chew Ng / iStock.com (7 bottom right), Tom O’Neal (3), Ed Rotberg (Cover, 9), Tom Trinko (6-7), Randy Tunnell (13 bottom right), Steven K. Webster (cover top 1, 4 bottom left), Randy Wilder (8 top left, 0 top and bottom left, 12 bottom right and middle, 13 bottom left, 13 top right), Winfried Wisniewski / FLPA / Minden Pictures (6 bottom left), Yanwu Zhang / MBARI (5 bottom right)
Regular hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Holiday & Summer hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Questions: Call the Membership office at 831-648-4880 or 800-840-4880 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time.
shorelines® is published for members of the Monterey Bay Aquarium; 886 Cannery Row; Monterey, California 939401023 P: 831-648-4800; F: 831-644-7554. ©2010 Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation. “Shorelines”, “Monterey Bay Aquarium” and the kelp logo are registered trademarks owned by the aquarium. All rights reserved.
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Director’s Note
Ocean Policy
M O N T E R E Y
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Open Sea
B A Y
MAGAZINE
FALL
2010
10 12 What’s New
Member Activities
A Q U A R I U M
SH RE LINES Sea otters are charming animals that need our help.
Director’sNote
Julie Packard Executive Director
I’ve spent most of my adult life trying to raise the profile of the oceans and their importance in our lives. So it’s been a cruel irony to at last see the oceans in the headlines every day, through the nightmare of the largest environmental disaster in American history.
for whatever we lose (like a you or a me) it’s always ourselves we find in the sea.
– e.e. cummings
The catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico began just before the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and for most people it was a somber reminder of the devastating impact humans are having on the oceans. Sadly, for the people and wildlife in the region, the aftereffects will last for decades. It’s clear that all players were grossly underprepared to prevent and respond to a disaster of this magnitude. But amid the finger-pointing, someone’s missing: We, the public. Why haven’t we learned from past experience? Why can’t we muster the political will to approve policies that our oceans and coasts deserve? The damage to the Gulf has renewed my resolve to be sure the Monterey Bay Aquarium truly makes a difference for the future of the oceans. I can’t thank you enough for the support you provide to help make this vision a reality. Because of you, I feel energized and hopeful about the future.
For more than 25 years, our top priority has been to create and maintain the best aquarium in the world, as a source of inspiration for millions of visitors. As you’ll read in this issue, we’ll begin significant renovations to our Outer Bay wing in September. When it reopens next summer, we’ll engage visitors with new experiences and animals and tell compelling stories about the magnificent animals that live in the Open Sea. But inspiration alone is not enough. We must understand the threats facing ocean wildlife and ecosystems, and take action to address those threats. That’s why, from the very beginning, rigorous scientific research has been central to our conservation work. We have been — and remain — a leader in conducting research that will help save charismatic animals like California’s threatened sea otters, ocean-roaming great white sharks and bluefin tuna.
These remarkable animals are important in their own right, and as indicators for the well-being of the ecosystems of which they are a part. When we help them, we contribute to the health of our coastal and offshore waters. This fall, we’ll ask you to support our new Open Sea exhibits and further our critical research that is essential for saving the animals we love and the oceans that sustain us all. I hope you’ll participate. In the face of the tragedy in the Gulf, there’s much to do, on many fronts. Working together, I’m confident we can address the challenges and make a difference for the oceans. Thank you again for your enduring support.
www.montereybayaquarium.org
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Taking Action for the Oceans Big Challenges, Big Solutions by Michael Sutton In early June, Julie Packard and I met with key members of Congress and the Obama Administration during Capitol Hill Ocean Week — an annual series of events that put a spotlight on ocean issues. We were encouraged to hear unanimous, bipartisan commitment to take meaningful action to protect our oceans. Real reform is within reach, and the Aquarium is well-positioned to advocate for thoughtful, effective policies that address the major threats facing our oceans today. We have long worked to win approval for a set of critical policy recommendations offered by two national ocean commissions — recommendations that have languished for a decade but that now have the attention of decision-makers. For too long, we have managed our oceans with little regard for preserving the living systems so essential to our survival. That must change. There was important progress in July, when President Obama signed an executive order establishing a first-ever National Ocean Policy — one that makes protection and restoration of our coasts and oceans the top priority for all federal agencies that manage marine resources. We are also supporting creation of an Ocean Investment Fund similar to one that already exists in California, to use revenues
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Mysteries of the Deep Research notes from MBARI
from offshore oil and gas leasing and other sources to protect the living resources that are put at risk by drilling operations. Legislation to create the investment fund, and to give greater protection to ecologically sensitive waters, is now moving through Congress. The distinctive blue coloration also shows up in a series of spots and stripes on its head.
Because of growing threats to the oceans worldwide from the carbon pollution associated with global climate change — warming seas, ocean acidification and rising sea levels chief among them — it is clearly time to commit to a future based not on fossil fuels but renewable energy. The environment will benefit, we’ll have new sources of green jobs, and we will no longer jeopardize places like the Arctic and the deep sea.
Bright blue stripes – even more striking set against a copper-colored body – run from head to tail.
The striped surfperch’s bright colors and oval body may mimic a typical tropical fish, but it is found in colder subtropical and temperate waters along rocky coasts and in kelp beds, and occasionally in sandy surf near rocks.
We’ve learned, at a tremendous cost, that the risks and negative impacts are far too great. The Gulf oil catastrophe has focused national attention on the health of our oceans as never before. In the midst of this human and ecological tragedy, we have an unprecedented opportunity to make a difference. This is a decisive moment for our oceans. Congress and the Obama Administration are preparing to act. With your help and support, we’ll get closer to our goal of a future with healthy oceans.
by Kim Fulton–Bennett Since 1996 the Aquarium’s Outer Bay exhibit has given visitors a glimpse of life in the open sea. It has also helped people understand the need to protect the magnificent and graceful animals that inhabit this expansive world. But not even the Outer Bay exhibit can show ocean life in all its depth. The vast majority of animals in the ocean live far below the surface. In fact, the “deep pelagic zone” – the dark waters between the ocean surface and seafloor – may harbor more animals than any other habitat on Earth. In a recent scientific report, MBARI marine biologist Bruce Robison points out that many ocean threats – rising ocean temperatures, increasing acidity, decreasing oxygen, and chemical pollution – affect deep-sea animals just as they affect animals near the sea surface.
We must also invest in science, to better understand the deep ocean and how to protect marine life.
Michael Sutton is vice president and director of our Center for the Future of the Oceans. 4
Striped surfperch - Embiotoca lateralis
The surfperch family is unique in that their eggs are fertilized internally and mature over the winter months until the fry are born alive in late spring. While the young benefit from the protection of the mother at this critical stage, overfishing of pregnant females could affect the population.
A larger mouth than most surfperch lets it eat larger prey, including mollusks, crustaceans, brittle stars, worms and shrimp.
The diversity and sheer numbers of deep-sea animals suggests they are too important to be ignored. According to Robison, “The animals in this huge habitat make up essential links in the oceanic food web. They also provide food for important commercial species like tuna and salmon, as well as for whales, turtles, and giant squid."
Because we know so little about deep-sea animals, human activities could wipe out entire species before we even know they exist. Animals that reproduce quickly, such as jellies and squids, might end up replacing animals that mature late and bear fewer young. In order to detect such changes in the deep sea, researchers must first have some idea of what’s down there. Scientists also need basic information on what deep-sea animals eat and how they reproduce. Robison suggests that, as a precautionary measure, we should create biological preserves in the deep sea, just as we are doing in coastal waters. In the long term, marine biodiversity is more than just a scientific buzzword. It’s a key measure of the health and stability of the oceans. Robison puts it this way: “Protecting the stability of the ecosystem that provides a major portion of the world’s food supply is obviously in our best interest.” The Gulf oil disaster is a perfect illustration of the challenges facing these animals. In June, we sent one of our autonomous underwater vehicles to help scientists investigate the spill's impacts on deep-ocean life. We’ll report back on this in future issues of Shorelines.
Kim Fulton-Bennett is a communications associate for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). www.montereybayaquarium.org
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We first introduced the mystery and wonder of the open ocean to visitors on a grand scale with the debut of our award-winning Outer Bay galleries in 1996. Now, many of the exhibits will be redesigned with new animals and stories.
OuttoSea&OntheGo Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta
In September, we’ll begin the renovation that will culminate with the grand opening of our new Open Sea galleries in July 2011. You’ll find a new look interpreting a new theme: “Out to sea and on the go – life’s in constant motion in the open ocean. We have a chance, right now, to protect this wild place.” This message speaks to the strong conservation emphasis woven throughout the galleries to protect ocean animals from the growing threats they face in the wild, as is supported by our field
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Sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus
research with key species like white sharks and bluefin tuna. “The Open Sea galleries will address the affects of climate change, plastics pollution and other human impacts on the oceans,” says Senior Exhibit Developer Jaci Tomulonis. “As always, we’ll point to positive solutions. We’ll also show that making ocean-friendly changes in your daily life can directly affect their health.” You’ll find a fresh look to some of your favorite experiences, such as jellies, Pacific sardines and the million-gallon Open Sea exhibit. We’re also adding several new exhibits, including multimedia experiences about sea turtles, seabirds, and plankton — the critical foundation of
Northern sea nettle Chrysaora melanaster
most ocean life. New live exhibits will feature loggerhead and green sea turtles, puffins and auklets. We’ll interpret the region from Monterey Bay to Cabo San Lucas to Hawaii and introduce exciting new species, including sharks and rays we’ve never exhibited before. To support our work, we’ve opened a state-of-the-art Animal Research and
Care Center. The 32,000-square-foot, 300,000-gallon facility in the city of Marina gives us space to raise new animals and offers the room we need for research and development of future exhibit species. We’re thrilled about the possibilities. The Center contains three large holding pools, each 10 feet deep, with a combined capacity almost equal to our Kelp Forest. The largest, a 60-by-40 foot oval, is ideal
for open-ocean sharks that need room to glide and turn easily. The facility also boasts the latest in “green” operations. Initially, it will house animals transferred from the Outer Bay exhibit during renovations. We’ll also use it as a treatment center for large sharks and rays, and as a holding facility for exhibit animals or those planned for release to the wild. Additionally, it will serve as a home for animals that are easier to collect and transport when small, until they grow to a size suitable for our exhibits. We’ll have more news to share in the coming months. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to our e-newsletter on our website to receive the latest news.
Please help make our Open Sea galleries a reality and further our critical ocean conservation programs. Science is at the core of our work to understand the threats facing ocean animals like tunas, sea otters and great white sharks. With your support, we will continue to make a difference for these threatened species, and inspire visitors to care about them and protect them for future generations. Please contact our Development department at 800-840-4880 to speak to someone about making your gift today. Thank you. www.montereybayaquarium.org
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Ten lively young sea turtles from SeaWorld San Diego have a new home in Hot Pink Flamingos. Some of these juveniles, plus the larger turtles they replaced, will be part of the new Open Sea galleries that debut in July 2011.
Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas
Connect with the Aquarium, and explore the oceans beyond, from the comfort of home with our newly updated video collection. Search for your favorite animals, watch videos in full-screen format, e-mail them to friends and see the newest and most popular videos, all on our website.
White Shark Carcharodon carcharias
Inside Stories
The death of our most recently exhibited and released great white shark in a gill net off of Baja California reminds us that this species – and all sharks – face significant threats. Our Juvenile White Shark Project tags and tracks animals in the wild, gathering valuable information about their behavior so we can better protect them in the wild.
Stay on top of your seafood choices with the latest version of the Seafood Watch iPhone app coming soon. You’ll see a fresh new look and features including a “What’s New” feed, our “Super Green” seafood list, automatic updates (no more tiresome downloads), a culinary chart of alternatives, plus a few surprises. American avocet Recurvirostra americana Sustainable seafood at your fingertips.
Ocean sunfish Mola mola
For over 25 years, we have relied on our members and donors for support to create exhibits and programs that inspire conservation of the oceans. We are proud of the trust you have placed in us to use your contributions wisely and have highlighted our achievements in the 2009 Annual Review. Read it in the “About Us” section of our website or call 800-840-4880 to request your copy.
Did you know that our Aviculture team has released more than 50 threatened snowy plovers to the wild? We care for rescued birds, and incubate and hatch eggs from abandoned nests. The chicks – tiny puffs of feathers atop spindly legs – grow and gain strength before they are released to join the wild population. Snowy plover Charadrius alexandrinus
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Avocets are found across North America in open country near wetlands, marshes, beaches, prairie ponds and shallow lakes – habitats that lose acreage every year in part due to development and pollution.
What’s New Born in the Wild
Kit’s Latest News
After several weeks in the spotlight, Kit, the wildly popular sea otter pup, went to “Otter U” in early April. Kit and her 9-year-old companion, Mae, were transferred behind the scenes to give Kit more experience handling and consuming live prey — a necessary skill for sea otters to master, especially otters that may become surrogate mothers or companions, for other stranded pups. Since then, Kit has become adept at cracking open mussels with her teeth and breaking open manila clams by pounding
them on hard surfaces. She is still flummoxed by crab claws, however. She drops a crab every time it pinches her, then retrieves it — only to repeat the process again and again. (This lesson might take a while to learn!) Socialization is another important part of Kit’s education. Early on, Kit and Mae were housed with two otter mates – Rosa, the Aquarium’s 11year-old surrogate otter mother and her current female pup. The rambunctious pups play often, but when it’s time to rest, the four females stay snuggled closely to one another both in and out of the water. We anxiously await Kit’s transition from pup to adolescent, and her return to the sea otter exhibit.
Kit Goes to Otter U! Throughout September, you’ll hear more about Kit’s experiences at “Otter U” in special editions of our lively e-newsletter. If you haven’t already, please subscribe on our website. And, don’t miss our Sea Otter Member Night on Saturday, September 11. We’ll have special programming and fun activities — all about otters.
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How Sea Otters Contribute to Healthy Oceans
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calculated the value of kelp’s carbon sink and how much individual sea otters contribute.
ew of us need new reasons to save sea otters. Beyond their undeniable charm, they play a key role in preserving healthy kelp forest ecosystems. Without sea otters, herbivores like urchins munch their way through the forest, leaving a barren and desolate seafloor. By devouring urchins, otters preserve — and restore — kelp forests.
On the open market, these critter carbon credits would be worth around $700 million. And that’s with fewer than 3,000 otters here in California. Imagine if the population could be restored to full health!
Now there’s a new reason to thank sea otters for this service. Giant kelp forests lock up carbon dioxide through photosynthesis — what climate scientists refer to as “carbon sink.” Scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz have
That’s why our Sea Otter Research and Conservation team works hard to return animals to the wild, and conducts research to learn why the population is rebuilding so slowly. Our veterinarian, Dr. Mike Murray, plays a central role in our
efforts in California, Alaska and Russia where he contributes to our growing understanding of the link between the health of coastal waters and the survival of sea otters. To help, you can support our sea otter research and, through your California State Taxes, make a voluntary contribution to the Sea
Otter Fund. (Sadly, 2010 may be the last year this is an option.) You can also join us in supporting federal funding for critical sea otter research. Take action today at www.montereybayaquarium.org/oa.
THANK YOU Our work to save sea otters is made possible by the generous support we receive from dedicated individuals like you. At a time when threats to the oceans are growing in so many ways, we’re deeply grateful to all our donors. You are making a difference for the animals we love and for the healthy oceans we need. Thank you.
We’re thrilled to announce the births of three sea otter pups — one each to three otters, all reared as stranded pups by surrogate otter mothers here at the Aquarium before being returned to the wild. Since 2005, we’ve raised and released stranded pups with the help of three exhibit sea otters — Joy, Toola and Rosa — who share behindthe-scenes duties as surrogate mothers. The recent births bring to six the number of pups born in the wild to surrogate-raised adult females that were cared for through our Sea Otter Research and Conservation program. “These births and the successful weaning of pups in the wild is significant because the sea otters are not only surviving following release, they are also contributing reproductively to the wild population,” says Animal Care Coordinator Karl Mayer. “This is
the benchmark of successful rehabilitation and reintroduction efforts.” Currently, there are seven surrogate-reared otters in the wild (three males and four females). All of the females have given birth and successfully weaned pups in the wild. A 5-year-old female, “MBA 339,” was the first. She delivered a male pup in July 2008, which she weaned in March 2009. This year she gave birth to her second pup, a female, in April. Preliminary evidence suggests that surrogatereared pups we’ve returned to the wild have a fairly high rate of survival. Sixty percent have lived a minimum of one year after release, compared to a survival rate of less than 30 percent for pups reared exclusively by people. Over the past two decades we’ve cared for nearly 500 sea otters – both injured or diseased adults and stranded pups. Our staff and veterinarians’ pioneering work in developing diets and successful procedures have resulted in high survival rates.
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Halloween Party Saturday, October 30 7 to 10 p.m. Member Fee: $15 per person; children under 3, free
Aquarium Adventures Advance registration is required for all programs. Please call our Reservation Center at 866-9639645 to register, or stop by the Aquarium Adventures and Member Desk in the main lobby. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Put on your costume and join the skeletons and sea stars, black cats and bat rays for an evening of haunted activities and ghostly good times. Kids of all ages love this event featuring face painters, strolling magicians and stilt walkers. Limited to members only – please, no guests. Reservations are required and tickets are non-refundable. Halloween Dinner Saturday, October 30 6:30 p.m. Member Fee: $55 for adults; $35 for children under 12
Morning Rounds Most Thursdays and Sundays Member Fee: $45 General Public Fee: $65 plus Aquarium admission
Member Activities
Seashore Sleepovers August 28, November 20 and January 14, 2011 7 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Ages: 5 and older Member and Member Guest Fee: $50
Start your evening with our special buffet-style Halloween Dinner. Price includes dinner and ticket to the Halloween Party. Seating is limited; advance reservations are required; tickets are non-refundable. For tickets to the Party or Dinner, call the Membership Office at 831-648-4880 or 800-840-4880; or stop by the Member Entrance when you visit. Early registration is advised. Save the Date! Cooking for Solutions 2011 – May 20-22 Join us for our annual culinary gala and other special events celebrating sustainable cuisine. We’ll have details about chefs, programs and very special guests in our next issue. Hotel Accommodations Visit Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau at wwww.seemonterey.com
Members’ Holiday Event and Sale Friday, December 3 7 to 10 p.m. Kick off your holidays with a visit to the Aquarium for this very special Member Night. It’s the perfect way to share some fun holiday cheer with friends and family while getting a jump start on your shopping.
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storytelling in the auditorium and photo opportunities with Santa! Reservations are not required and guest cards are honored. Please enter through the Main Entrance for this event.
Member Nights Member Nights are the perfect opportunity to enjoy the Aquarium. Take part in our special programming or watch sharks, sea otters and jellies at your leisure. Free for members; registration is not required.
Join Us for Dinner On this night only, we’re please to offer an additional 10% off in our Gift and Bookstores – for a 20% discount on your entire purchase. You can choose a gorgeous glass piece by Richard Satava, an adorable eco-friendly penguin plush, or select from new merchandise making its debut during the event. We’ll also feature wine tasting from local vineyards and special activities throughout the evening, including a fun craft for kids,
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Interact with our exhibit animals as an aquarist would and experience a private viewing of a sea otter feeding and training session. You’ll go behind the scenes and help prepare food, feed animals and learn daily maintenance for exhibits.
Member Dinners Bring your family and friends for a casual buffet-style dinner in the Portola Café. We’ll offer a variety of stations with local, seasonal and organic selections including delicious soups and salads, choice of entrees and delectable desserts. Reservations are available between 6 and 7:30 p.m. on November 20, December 3 and January 14. Reservations suggested; please call Portola at 831-648-4870. Cost is $36 for adults; $15 for children under 12 (plus tax).
Wine and Food Lovers' Dinner Series Saturday, September 11, 7:30 to 10 p.m. Join Executive Chef David Anderson for a delicious dinner featuring local sustainable cuisine, and meet some of our community's best food and wine experts. Please call the Membership Office at 831-648-4880 to make reservations. Cost is $130 per person (includes tax and gratuity) and includes reception, dinner and wine pairings.
Saturday, September 11: Sea Otters 7 to 9 p.m. Don’t miss our Sea Otter Member Night! We’ll have special programming and fun activities — all about otters — including a look at Kit’s time behind the scenes at “Otter U” where she learned essential skills to someday become a companion for other stranded pups in our Sea Otter Research and Conservation program. Saturday, November 20: Nocturnal November 7 to 9 p.m. Join us for a fun night featuring programs and activities about the Aquarium animals most active at night. Friday, January 14: Gray Whales 7 to 9 p.m. Learn more about the epic migrations these animals make each year through the Monterey Bay.
Family sleepovers are a special way to enjoy the Aquarium after hours and sleep next to your favorite exhibit. We offer activities throughout the evening or you can explore the Aquarium on your own. The evening concludes with a bedtime snack. In the morning, wake up with the fishes and enjoy a continental breakfast in the Portola Restaurant. Youth Group Sleepovers We also offer special sleepovers during the year for youth groups. Contact our Reservation Center for details. Special Offer on Behind-the-Scenes Tours Starting September 6, we’re excited to offer members a special opportunity to enjoy two Behind-the-Scenes Tours for the price of one (regular price is $10 per person). This offer applies to our 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. tours, and is available by calling the Reservations Center at 866-963-9645.
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Jane Steel Ocean Legacy Circle
MemberCalendar Fall&Winter 2010-11 Thank You
October Fiesta del Mar
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November
Halloween Party
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Member Exclusive Early Openings, 9 a.m. November 11-14 November 25-28 Member Night Nocturnal November
December 3
Member Exclusive Early Openings, 9 a.m. December 26-31 Members’ Holiday Event and Sale
January
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Member Exclusive Early Opening, 9 a.m. January 1 January 15-17 Member Night Gray Whales
Member Dinner Member Dinner
Member Dinner
Seashore Sleepover
Seashore Sleepover Feathered Friends
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The Jane Steel Ocean Legacy Circle honors the 291 individuals who have designated gifts to the Aquarium through their estate plans. Their contributions include bequests, remainder trusts, designations of 401K retirement plans and insurance policies. We are very grateful to the following donors for allowing us to recognize them and their commitment to a future with healthy oceans:
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Clark
Sue Hovda
Greg Nelson
Mike and Jennie Cobb
Judee Humburg
Jill Nelson Lynch
Mr. and Mrs. Jack M. Sikorski and Family
Carol E. Colip and Kitti Barth
Alfred and Irena Iannamico
Jennifer Neumann
Louis R. Sipos
Richard and Jean Collins
Pete and Sharon Irish
Mark, Suzanne, Rachael and Erin Spradley
Bruce Cormier
David M. Jargiello
Claudia Newbold and Howard Schopman
Jim and Kristi Jenkins
Mr. and Mrs. Gus Norton
Marilyn A. Steinhart
Colleen Courtney
Myra and James Steinwinder
Paul and Shelly Crain
Susan Jenkins
Kevin and Bea Olsen
A. Margaret Jones
Brigitte and Paul Olson
Cynthia A. Stephenson
Garrett and Jane Cross Connie R. Curry and Tom B. Lawrence
Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Kaleda
Anthony Onorati and Brian Benamati
Jennifer Stern and Jeffrey Pugh
Russell S. Orten and Catherine G. Orten
Dr. Charles A. and Mrs. Carol L. Sweet Jr.
Artie and Judy Davidson Dorrill and Brian Davis
Kurt and DeeDee Kiesow Family Trust
Carrie and Jim Dean
Bonnie Killip
Anne Tewksbury
Lauren and Anders Petterson
Anne and Peter Thorp
Mrs. Ross W. Phinney
Earl D. Thorp
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Labruyere
Margaret B. Donat
Erling Lagerholm
Mr. and Mrs. David M. Dormedy
Bill and Jean Lane
Dr. Kathleen Albert and Ms. Madeline Pfeiffer
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dougherty
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin B. Lane
Alan Pomatto and Alison Jones-Pomatto
Russell R. Tripp
Barbara S. Allgood
Karen and Phillip Drayer
David Laudenat
William Ponder
Van Tunstall and Susan Churchill
Lani Avocet and John Van Horne
Frank and Terry Ducato
Sharon M. Lee
Jane Przeslica and Richard Miller
John H. Tyler
Gil Ayron
Mr. Gayle Dukelow and Ms. Rosalyn Zakheim
Barbara LeFevre
Elton Linwood Puffer
Cynthia L. Vernon
Dr. John Lilley and Dr. Mary Sanfelippo-Lilley
Alan D. Rammer
Betty von Maszynski
David and Joby Dupuis
Paul and Yuanbi Ramsay
Harold and Wanda Wake
Pamela Erlandson-Fives
John and Nancy Love
Mr. and Mrs. Kent Evans
Robert Lundeen
Terri Tienken
Gary and Ellen Rauh
Mr. and Mrs. Chance Wales
Don and Dorothy Reinke
Mr. and Mrs. James Watanabe
Bob and Betty Ricks Dennis W. Riddle
David K. Watson and Karen L. Kortlander
Craig and Laurel Robertson
Hilda Wax
Lynn Fanelli
Carolann and Roger Manley
Robyn Farrant
Jim Marrocco
Happy Fitzgerald
George and Jo Ann Martin
Mr. and Mrs. James Fitzgerald
Patti Mason
Jacqueline Frazier
David and Karen Mast
Scott F. Gibbons
Joan Roudenbush
Skip Wickiser and Liza Horvath
Richard Gleason and Sarah Hedges
Kenneth J. and Katharine Louise Masterson
Cynthia K. Williams Mr. and Mrs. John A. Williams
Charles and Carolyn Bloom Andrea K. Boehmer Patrice Boeke and Tom Alburn Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Bolt
Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Robidoux
David and Doris Weindorf
Jack and Doreen Roth
Larry D. Welling
John L. Goldberg
Dr. Hugh A. McAllister Jr.
Kim Rubin and Jan Hollander
Carol and William E. McCarey
Robert Ryon
Deborah Goldstein
Ed Wong
Theodore A. and Gail A. Brekke
Neil and Diane Goodhue Family Trust
Mr. and Mrs. Robert McCleary
Jeannette Saporito
Matthew McClendon
Michael Scharfenstein
Mark and Pamela Wootten
Marge Brigadier
Doug McIntyre and Kimberly Wiefling
Robert and Kay Schroer
Karen and Henry Work
Howard L. Gosch
Jeanine Schryer
Chunlin Xue and Bin Yan
Barbara F. Borthwick James and Donna Brady Mr. and Mrs. John Bray
Rebecca and Matthew Bright
Judy and Danny Gutierrez
Paul O. Brohmer
Nina Hadden
A. Ken and Francine Meadors
John D. Scott and Iole Taddei
Nathan Broshear and Stephanie Lyons
In memory of Mandy Hafleigh
Mr. and Mrs. Vaso Medigovich
Jeanette B. Sechrist
Jim Hafner and Nancy Jaxon
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Meininger
Glenn Seiler and Pamela Kearby
Charlie Halfmann
Lenore Meyer and Dale Meyer
Larry and Shirley Selzle
Thomas Hart Hawley
W. J. Michaely and Jancy Rickman
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Sharp
Alys Hay
Ken Mignosa and Tammy McCrory
Ann Sheehan
Anne and Donald Haydock
Jim and Willy Mitchell
Kathy Shields
Sandra Hayes and Brian Pilcher
Bruce E. Mitchener
John and Donna Shoemaker
Mr. and Mrs. Ron Heater
Timothy I. and Diane M. Molter
Al and Joyce Siegling
Peggy H. Hicks
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Moore
Charles and Janice Holland
Vicki Moore and Scott Chan
Jeanne S. Holmquist
Mary Mullen
Wayne and Judith Hooper
Janet Musson
Arthur W. Hormel
Paul and Judy Myers
Ginger Brown and Thomas Savarino Lucy Cameron Calvin and Jennifer Carr Joe Carrión Dave Carver and Sylvia Downing Mr. and Mrs. Rick Cathcart
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Karen Patchen
Sunny and Harry Kohn
Gary and Lanaya Dix
Bethel Family Trust
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Michelle D. Terry and Samuel W. Terry
Barbara W. Deméré
Martine Bennett
Not sure when your membership expires? Do you need to update your contact information? You can now view and manage your membership information online. Visit www.montereybayaquarium.org/account to access your account today.
Thomas W. Page Jack S. Parker
Nick and Sue Kinney
Mr. and Mrs. James R. Bell
This holiday season, surprise your loved ones with the gift of free admission to the Aquarium all year long. Your friend or family member will enjoy all the benefits of membership and you'll help support our work to inspire conservation of the oceans. It's the perfect way to celebrate the season — and the oceans. There are three easy ways to purchase a gift membership: go online to www.montereybayaquarium.org, call the Membership Office at 800-840-4880 or stop by the Member Desk when you visit.
Kathleen Talbert-Hill Mr. and Mrs. Scott W. Teaford
Betty S. Koch
Donald E. Baker
Manage Your Membership Online
Sharon Osberg Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Owen
Mr. and Mrs. Ron DeLettera II
Faith Wilcox Barrington
Give the Gift of Membership
June Duran Stock
Esther and Daniel DeBra
Mr. and Mrs. David W. Baka
Feathered Friends
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kenrich
If you have named The Aquarium in your estate plan, please let us know so we may personally thank you and welcome you into the Jane Steel Ocean Legacy Circle. Contact Linda Jaffe at [email protected] or 831-648-4877.
thanks
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Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation
Time dated materials enclosed
Hugh Van Valkenburg Honors the Aquarium With $1 Million Bequest
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Donors like Hugh and Helen Van Valkenburg enable us to continue developing new exhibits, and furthering our education, research and outreach programs in perpetuity, ensuring that their passion for the oceans will continue for generations.
harter member Hugh Van Valkenburg cared deeply about the survival of our planet. A family member said, “He lived frugally and asked that at his death we pass his savings on to the Aquarium to further its work in maintaining healthy and beautiful oceans.”
We’re deeply grateful for their commitment. Mr. Van Valkenburg was an engineer and worked in the space program for Lockheed for many years. After retiring, he and his wife, Helen, moved from Palo Alto to the Monterey area. According to his family, Mr. Van Valkenburg was intrigued with the mechanical and scientific processes at the Aquarium and was especially interested in our research efforts.
For further information about bequests or other estate planning questions please contact Linda Jaffe at [email protected] or 831-648-4877.
Hugh and Helen Van Valkenburg
supervising editor: Ken Peterson art director: Jim Ales vice president, development: Mary Mullen senior designer: Debra Naeve designer: Ken Beckwith editor: Karen Jeffries writers: Angela Hains, Jenny Slafkosky photo researcher: Gail Skidmore printing: Blanchette Press Printed on recycled paper
vol. 26 no. 3 fall 2010
credits: Ed Bierman (13 center right) Charlene Boarts (cover top 2, 3, 4, 5), Jim Capwell (10-11, 11 top), Ann Caudle (4-5, 8 bottom left, 8 top right, 8 center bottom, 14), Mark Conlin (6 top left), Kip Evans (2), Sergey Galushko / Shutterstock Images (12-13 top), George Grall / National Geographic Stock (7 top right), MBARI (5 top right), Debra Naeve (4 top left), Wai Chew Ng / iStock.com (7 bottom right), Tom O’Neal (3), Ed Rotberg (Cover, 9), Tom Trinko (6-7), Randy Tunnell (13 bottom right), Steven K. Webster (cover top 1, 4 bottom left), Randy Wilder (8 top left, 0 top and bottom left, 12 bottom right and middle, 13 bottom left, 13 top right), Winfried Wisniewski / FLPA / Minden Pictures (6 bottom left), Yanwu Zhang / MBARI (5 bottom right)
Regular hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Holiday & Summer hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Questions: Call the Membership office at 831-648-4880 or 800-840-4880 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time.
shorelines® is published for members of the Monterey Bay Aquarium; 886 Cannery Row; Monterey, California 939401023 P: 831-648-4800; F: 831-644-7554. ©2010 Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation. “Shorelines”, “Monterey Bay Aquarium” and the kelp logo are registered trademarks owned by the aquarium. All rights reserved.
