Shorelines Spring 2016
Transcription
Shorelines Spring 2016
3 4 6 8 10 SH RE LINES MEMBER Director’s Note Saving the Ocean M O N T E R E Y ¡Viva Baja! Animals B A Y MAGAZINE What’s New SPRING 2016 Member Calendar A Q U A R I U M Tropical fishes—like the Panamic fanged blenny—are featured in ¡Viva Baja! , opening March 19. Director’s Note J U L I E PA C K A R D Executive Director The most visible and most inspiring part of our work is what happens on the floor of the Aquarium. Each day we touch thousands of lives, often in far-reaching ways. Recently, I received a letter from a longtime member and donor who described the impact a single visit had on her 9-year-old granddaughter. This young girl is fired up about the ocean, and charting her future career as a marine biologist! What nature delivers to us is never stale. Because what nature creates has eternity in it. – Isaac Bashevis Singer Bringing visitors face-to-face with the wonders of the ocean is key to advancing our conservation mission. That’s why, with your help, we’ll open ¡Viva Baja! Life on the Edge this spring. It will feature the diverse and colorful animal life in the Gulf of California and Baja Peninsula. It will also highlight threats these animals face, the people who are fighting to save them and ways each of us can contribute to solutions. You can learn more on page 6. Of course, our work doesn’t end with the inspiring experiences visitors have in our exhibit galleries. Today, as never before, we’re addressing significant threats to the health of the ocean. That’s why we’ve stepped up our research and policy programs so significantly and why we’ve made conservation and science the centerpiece of our annual fundraising campaign. We’re making a difference, and with your help we can do so much more. Climate change is affecting ocean chemistry and temperature, undermining the living web that sustains all life on Earth. You’ll hear more from us about ways we can create a low-carbon future—a better world for ourselves and for ocean life. Our Seafood Watch team continues to expand its global impact as it engages businesses whose purchasing power is shifting seafood production in more sustainable directions. This month we convened the firstever international Bluefin Tuna Symposium. We brought together scientists, fisheries managers and other experts to chart a course to recovery of these remarkable and threatened fish. This year, we’ll also be active on several fronts to eliminate single-use plastic products that are such a damaging source of pollution worldwide. In California, we’re backing a referendum to outlaw single-use plastic shopping bags in retail stores. And we’re spearheading a collaboration among leading U.S. aquariums to speak with a united voice on critical ocean health issues. There’s much more on the horizon. Our white shark research team is developing innovative camera tags to help us learn what the sharks are doing when they congregate offshore in the “White Shark Café.” And they’ll begin using DNA analyses to document threatened shark species that are being killed and sold in the shark fin trade. Our sea otter scientists are helping researchers who are sequencing the sea otter genome. This holds real promise for identifying potential genetic threats to the otters’ recovery. I’m also pleased to share that our education initiatives were recently recognized with a Community Impact Award from the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Our work to inspire future ocean leaders is so important and so needed, and we’re very excited about what our new Ocean Education and Leadership Center will mean for the future of these programs. You can learn more about our progress on page 8. Your generous support makes all of these successes possible. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the Aquarium—and to the future of the ocean. montereybayaquarium.org 3 A Model for Saving the Ocean Conservation & Science T he health of the global ocean holds the key to our survival. Today, we’re at a critical moment when decisions to address the threats of climate change and illegal fishing will shape the future of the ocean. We must act boldly so the ocean can continue to play the critical roles that enable life on Earth to exist. That’s what fuels the growing scope of our conservation and science programs. We know that when people do the right thing, the ocean is resilient and can recover from the insults we hurl its way. 4 montereybayaquarium.org Last fall, we celebrated an amazing California success story, in an extraordinary way, with television broadcasts of Big Blue Live across the United States and Great Britain. The programs put the spotlight on the incredible rebound of ecosystems and ocean animals that were, within our lifetime, on the brink of extinction. People took action—and we made a difference. Treaties in the early 20th century ended commercial hunting for sea otters and elephant seals. Commercial whaling ended in the 1970s. The massive Santa Barbara offshore oil disaster in 1969 catalyzed the biggest environmental movement our country has ever seen. Lawmakers enacted scores of landmark environmental laws: the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. They also created the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration— the first body to recognize the interconnected nature of ocean and atmosphere. California approved the Coastal Act and later the Marine Life Protection Act and Marine Life Management Act, managing coastal waters for the health of entire ecosystems. We still have work to do. In the 1990s, a bipartisan effort established Monterey Bay as the largest national marine sanctuary off the continental United States. In the past decade, California created the largest network of marine protected areas in the country, and federal fisheries rules put a priority on safeguarding the health of ecosystems that fish need to thrive. The recovery of whales, dolphins, sharks and sea otters in Monterey Bay is cause for celebration. Big Blue Live shows us how much we stand to gain when we’re good stewards of the ocean. Many other ocean challenges need the same attention. We must end overfishing on the high seas, in waters beyond all national borders. The climate crisis threatens the health of the global ocean in ways we cannot fathom—with consequences we must avert. Success will take concerted action, with involvement of citizens and government leaders, philanthropists and the business community. We’ve seen how collaborative leadership like this has made an enduring difference in the United States. We’re confident that, by engaging together, we can secure the health of the global ocean. This commentary was written by California Resources Secretary John Laird, former NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, Aquarium Executive Director Julie Packard and former Defense Secretary and Congressman Leon Panetta for our “Future of the Ocean” blog. You’ll find more news about our Conservation & Science programs at futureoftheocean.wordpress.com. montereybayaquarium.org 5 ¡Vıva Baja! Life on the Edge–Animal Stars from Sand and Sea Rockmover wrasse Mountain kingsnake You’re in for a treat when ¡Viva Baja! Life on the Edge opens March 19. You’ll see an amazing array of tropical fishes and invertebrates, and meet several iconic desert animals–a first for the Aquarium. V isitors to ¡Viva Baja! will encounter animals that live in Baja’s arid deserts, lush mangrove forests and colorful coral reefs. Here are a few highlights of the colorful and charismatic creatures you’ll meet inside the different galleries of our newest special exhibition. Near the Edge Baja’s coastal deserts support plants and animals that have adapted to thrive in its sun-scorched sands and sapphire seas. 6 montereybayaquarium.org Rockmover wrasse Novaculichthys taeniourus Also known as the dragon wrasse, this striking fish feeds by flipping rocks and gobbling up the small critters hiding underneath. Adults often work in pairs to find their meals. Desert tortoise Gopherus agassizii This large, slow-moving terrestrial tortoise is easily recognizable by the distinctive scutes (thickened plates) on its domed shell, large elephantine rear feet Desert tortoise Panamic green moray Pacific seahorse and stocky, scaly forelimbs with very long nails. It uses its claws to dig deep underground burrows and escape the desert heat. clams. Gliding over the soft sandy seafloor, it uses its mouth and disc to dig large pits and uncover buried prey. It leaves a bonus in its wake. Small fishes swoop into these pits to feed on prey they couldn’t normally catch on their own. protractile (extendable) jaws to suck out prey from sand or reef. Juveniles usually form large schools and follow—or “pilot”—bigger fish or even jellies. Their agility protects them from their hosts, whose bulk may offer protection from predation by other fish. Mountain kingsnake Lampropeltis zonata agalma This beautiful and harmless snake’s red, black and cream coloring mimics that of the venomous coral snake. Its behavior turns nocturnal during summer heat. At the Edge Where Baja California’s deserts meet the Gulf of California, lush mangrove forests teem with life. The ebb and flow of tides around the trees’ tangle of roots reveals a unique community. Round ray Urolophus halleri This ray burrows in substrate for worms, crabs, snails and Panamic green moray Gymnothorax castaneus This is the classic moray eel of most people’s imaginations: long, lean and green. It prefers life in a burrow inside rocky crevices. It usually hunts at night, relying on its sense of smell to find its prey. Golden trevally Gnathanodon speciosus Shiny and bright, and with a distinctive following behavior, it’s easy to identify the golden trevally among other colorful tropical fishes. Bright yellow as juveniles and gold and silver as adults, this species uses its Pacific seahorse Hippocampus ingens One of the largest known species of seahorse, Pacific seahorses can grow to 12 inches tall. It’s the only seahorse found off the California coast, with a range from San Diego Bay to Peru. It’s a vulnerable species, according to the IUCN. Over the Edge Ocean life is active and abundant where the Pacific Ocean meets the Gulf of California. Colorful fishes and invertebrates seek shelter on Cabo Pulmo’s coral reefs. Staghorn hermit crab Mexican lookdown Chinese trumpetfish Aulostomus chinensis Staghorn hermit crab Manucomplanus varians This solitary seahorse relative is a stealthy hunter with effective ambush techniques. It can hover almost motionless and sneak up on prey, or camouflage its slender and supple body among coral reefs and wait for something delicious to crawl or swim by. It also tracks larger fishes and even hawksbill sea turtles as they cruise along, using them as a blind from which to dart out and snatch a quick meal. Panamic fanged blenny Ophioblennius steindachneri This streamlined fish does indeed have “fangs”— elongated canine teeth that are used for defense. Its large eyes and sharp profile contribute to its nickname: the horse-faced blenny. What appears to be a crab wearing antlers on its back is actually a weird but wonderful symbiotic relationship. The crab makes its home in a staghorn hydrocoral, Janaria mirabilis, whose stinging cells offer protection. In return, the usually sessile hydrocoral gets to move around and filter feed on plankton as the mobile crab forages on the seafloor. Mexican lookdown Selene brevoortii Porcupine puffer members of coral reef communities. Tropical wrasses are distinguished by their brilliant coloring. Porcupine puffer Diodon holocanthus With its big eyes, smiley mouth and ability to balloon into a spiky ball, this fish is the most well-known puffer in the world. Its fused teeth are beak-like, which allow it to crack open crustaceans and satisfy its huge appetite. Easily recognizable by its super slender silhouette and strong, steep profile, this pelagic fish also has an exaggerated dorsal fin. The slim silver fish confuses predators by facing toward them and almost disappearing. Member Previews Cortez rainbow wrasse Thalassoma lucasanum Saturday & Sunday, March 19, 20 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join us for these exclusive viewing opportunities of ¡Viva Baja! Life on the Edge: Friday, March 18 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wrasses are usually the most abundant and conspicuous montereybayaquarium.org 7 What’s New In the Belly of the Beast: A Shark Tag’s Travels “I f you were to put a Fitbit on a white shark, where would you put it?” asks Monterey Bay Aquarium research scientist Salvador Jorgensen. “The answer is in its stomach.” Sal and his colleagues are learning where and when white sharks feed by using an electronic tracking device that works like the activity-logging Fitbit. Where a Fitbit tracks steps, the “Daily Diary” tracks tail beats. It also monitors changes in temperature and pressure. Knowing when and where sharks feed will help researchers identify places that need protection so that white sharks can have plenty of food to eat in peace. Devices like the Daily Diary are a popular way to study wild animals, Sal says. But attaching them to an ocean animal is challenging. It’s relatively easy to place an accelerometer on the leg of a sedated cheetah, but a shark is a whole other kettle of fish. 8 montereybayaquarium.org Instead, Sal and his team— which includes researchers from the Aquarium, Stanford University and Montana State University— have the shark do what it does best: eat. In the wild, researchers lured white sharks to a skiff using a seal-shaped decoy. They wrapped the two internal tags in whale blubber—like putting medicine in a dog treat—and fed it to a shark. Getting the tag back is easier than you’d think. Like owls, sharks eat their food and later regurgitate solid and indigestible materials. The regurgitated tag floats to the surface and pings its location to the research team. The stored data tell the story of shark feeding behavior. Sudden bursts of acceleration indicate that a shark is swimming fast to ambush its prey. If the shark is successful, the acceleration is followed by a measurable increase in stomach temperature. Paul Walker Awards: A Lasting Ocean Legacy A “What better gift can we give the next generation than a passion for science and discovery, and a commitment to caring for the natural world?” —Executive Director Julie Packard Our vision for the new Ocean Education and Leadership Center on Cannery Row in Monterey Inspiring Future Generations of Ocean Leaders W e are very proud that our educational initiatives were recently recognized with a Community Impact Award from the Silicon Valley Business Journal. In accepting the award, Aquarium Trustee Connie Martinez said, “During the past 31 years, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has welcomed more than 2.2 million schoolchildren and teachers with free visits and educational experiences that have inspired them to care more and do more for the ocean.” Our education programs— made possible by the generosity of our members and donors—are helping thousands of children and young adults become inspired future leaders, science and ocean literate, confident and ready to act on behalf of the future of our planet. This work is so important as threats to the ocean grow more urgent each day. We’re at a pivotal time for the planet; we need to reach more children, teens and teachers, but demand for our education programs far exceeds our capacity to serve. That’s why we’re excited to be making plans to open a new 26,000 square-foot Ocean Education and Leadership Center in 2018. The new Center is our most important undertaking—one that will benefit the ocean for generations to come and provide every visiting school group with a staffled program, double the number of teachers in our institutes and double the number of teens in youth leadership programs. Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of members and donors (many of whom increased their support), we’ve raised $25 million toward our goal of $65 million needed to build the Center and fund our expanding education programs. We purchased property on Cannery Row and, provided we have the funding, will begin construction in the fall. The designer of the Center is the award-winning San Francisco architectural firm Mark Cavagnero Associates. Our vision for the new four-story building includes Learning Labs and collaboration spaces, a public exhibit space and a living roof that will augment programming. The LEEDcertified building will be both environmentally sensitive and sustainable, with flexible spaces for optimal use. “Our Ocean Education and Leadership Center will enable us to broaden and deepen our connection with kids, teachers and our community,” says Rita Bell, director of education programs. “It will help us inspire generations of young people and prepare them to act on behalf of the ocean.” ctor Paul Walker’s untimely death cost the Aquarium—and the ocean—a great friend. In collaboration with his family, we created the Paul Walker Ocean Leadership Award to honor others who are using their public stature to advance ocean causes. Now his daughter Meadow Walker has created another lasting way to continue her father’s commitment to protecting the ocean: The Paul Walker Foundation. Among the Foundation’s priorities will be working with the Aquarium—a place he visited with Meadow on several occasions—to identify exceptional teens who are passionate about the ocean and award scholarships so they can pursue higher education goals. Help Us Build Our New Education and Leadership Center We need to raise $65 million to make our new Center possible and to support our education programs over the next few years. You can make a difference by joining the donors who have contributed over $25 million so far to help make our new Center a reality. To make your gift, please call our Development office at 800-840-4880 or visit www.montereybayaquarium.org/ educationcenter. Thank you for your generous support. In October, we presented our 2015 Paul Walker Ocean Leadership Award to pop singer and marine conservationist Anjali World. Anjali’s experience as a teen volunteer at the Aquarium sparked her interest in the ocean. She went on to earn a degree in marine ecology from UCBerkeley and co-founded the nonprofit Jaws & Paws to support recovery of sea turtles, sharks, polar bears and other species—and to encourage others to get involved. We also recognized 2015 Paul Walker Youth Award recipient Katie Ridgway of Monterey. A Teen Conservation Leader and volunteer at the Aquarium, Katie contributes to marine research at Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station related to the impacts of climate change on the ocean. She’s also creating a club for like-minded teens who dive and snorkel, to video and record the health of Monterey Bay. During the ceremonies, The Paul Walker Foundation also made a contribution toward our Ocean Education and Leadership Center, so we can continue to develop new generations of ocean leaders. montereybayaquarium.org 9 Member Activities Calendar February S AT U R D AY 27 Member Dinner 6:15 p.m. F R I D AY 18 Member Night 7 to 9 p.m. May April March Member Preview: ¡Viva Baja! Life on the Edge 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2 27 Member Dinner 6:15 p.m. S U N D AY S AT U R D AY 19 S U N D AY 28 Cooking for Solutions On the Road: Healdsburg—Warming Wintertime Lunch at SHED 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Seashore Sleepover 7 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Member Night 7 to 9 p.m. 24 Día del Niño Cooking for Solutions On the Road: Healdsburg—Taste of Healdsburg at Jordan Winery 1 to 4 p.m. Memorial Gifts F R I D AY S AT U R D AY Seashore Sleepover 7 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Seashore Sleepover 7 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Memorial and Tribute Gifts 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Member Preview: ¡Viva Baja! Life on the Edge 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Member Exclusive Early Openings 9 a.m. February 13, 14, 15 March 19, 20, 26, 27 April 2, 3 May 28, 29, 30 Please enter through the Member Entrance. For the health and safety of our animals, some exhibits may not be on view until the Aquarium opens to everyone. S U N D AY 20 Member Preview: ¡Viva Baja! Life on the Edge 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Want More? Visit montereybayaquarium.org for details about the stories that caught your attention and more. What do the latest sea otter census numbers mean? What is “pirate fishing”? Get those answers and more ocean news in our Conservation & Science blog. Have a question you’ve always wanted to ask about our animals and exhibits? This is your chance to get answers! Sign up for one of our Tours and go behind the scenes with Aquarium naturalists. Learn more about our next exciting special exhibition, ¡Viva Baja! Life on the Edge, and the unique community that thrives where Baja’s coastal deserts meet sapphire seas. Sign up for e-news and follow us on social media to be the first to know about new exhibit animals, special events and more. 10 montereybayaquarium.org We are deeply grateful to the many donors who made gifts,* in memory of the following individuals: Rhys Ahern June Banks Kenneth Banks Judith Elaine Baranek Suzanne Barkworth Valerio Biondo Lee and Max Brice Ed Carney Kevin Chang Joan Mt. Pleasant Chapman Charles Clark Everett Corll Curt Cureton Constance D'Amico Philip Darst Amelia Elizabeth Davis Pamela S. Dickinson Richard Stanley Fialkowski Susan Ficklin Marshall Frank Charles Gilkey Raviderjit Gill Debbie Gordon Judy Hallagan Catherine Hamilton Jim Hildebrand Robert L. Hittleman Sean Bryan Holtsberry Grace Howard Tribute Gifts Nancy Grandin Hutchinson Glenn Johnson Tricia Johnston Lorraine Jones Beverly K. Kerns Martin Knutson Harold and Marie Larson Norma Laug Alaina Sage Lester Pat Leve Katrina Martens Barbara Martin Gary A. McLaughlin Virginia Nagy John Kennedy Ohl Dorothy Patanetti Zachary Penn Nancy Prior Lois Rianda Edward Righter Marian Rossi Catherine Rossing Edward Shumaker John Smith Jeff Stevens Mark S. Tague Jean Theisen Lloyda Thompson Chuck Tribolet Brandon Tsusaki Kate and Louis Vidoroni Hilda Wax Linda Wheeler Marilyn and Charles Woods We are deeply grateful to the many donors who made gifts,* in honor of the following individuals and occasions: Sue Adams Zachary Baskara and Family Lynn and Howard Bayer Dr. Lorin Benedict Eddy and Shino Bird's wedding Thomas Blondeau Ann and Wim Braak Madison Brown Nigel and Sofia Brown Kathryn E. Carroll Alison Chang Maya Chow's birthday Elizabeth Coleman Marc Courtenay Eli Crum's birthday Kimya Csermelyi's birthday Kimberly Cunningham Amanda Darling Deirdre Darst Charles M. Davis Neal and Katie Davis Ella Delfavero Faye Donaldson Peter Duffy's birthday Eve Eklund Cliff and Judy Fischer's wedding Victor Funtanilla Carol Galginaitis and Gregg McKee's wedding Roxanne Giovanetti Sara Golemon Jim Gowdy Kira Jones' birthday Lindsey Kaufman's birthday Al Kennedy Jane Koska Amy Kramer Bill and Margie Krend Cody Krstich Kyle Krstich Meredith Kummell Amelia Latham Allison Lewis Michael Lewis Jim Long Norman Ludwig Shannon Madison and Giles Douglas' wedding Nicole Magana and Tyler Peterson's wedding Kim McSweeney and Dick Lauder's wedding Anav Mohan's birthday Kristin Molle Rose Mortimer Steve Neal and Michelle Rhyu's wedding Olivia Nesbitt-MacDonald Matthew Newfield Linda Nguyen Gisela Nobinger's birthday Gisela and Glenn Nobinger Mika Okuma-Gordon's birthday Robert Parrett Karen and John Pihl's wedding Andrew Razman Peter Rich Suzi Riley Laura Rombach and Josh Rau's wedding Dick Schrudder Isaac Schuchat's graduation Bob Shobert Mark Smith Virginia Snow and John Carter Ned Stone Ryan Sturt Jane and Tom Sullivan Dr. Deborah Travis Brett Ware Bryan Ware Rebecka Ware Javi Watanabe Christopher Wells Diane Williamson The Wilson Family * This listing reflects gifts made September 2014 through August 2015. thanks montereybayaquarium.org 11 Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation Time dated materials enclosed Creating a Legacy for the Ocean O n vacation in 1988, Texas natives Karen and Phil Drayer joined the Monterey Bay Aquarium. When they relocated to Pebble Beach in 1991, Karen began what she often refers to as "the 10 happiest years of my life." Karen devoted over 5,000 hours of volunteer service, first as a volunteer guide and then caring for orphaned sea otter pups during the critical first weeks and months after rescue—often working through the night. Her work here fueled her passion for animal care. When we reached out to Karen after Hurricane Katrina with a desperate plea to help us transport sea otters and penguins to Monterey from the badly damaged Aquarium of the Americas, she and Phil readily agreed. supervising editor: Ken Peterson art director: Jim Ales vice president, development: Nancy Enterline senior designer: Debra Naeve editor: Karen Jeffries writer: Cynthia McKelvey photo researcher: Victoria von Ehrenkrook printing: Blanchette Press Printed on recycled paper vol. 32 no. 1 Spring 2016 12 montereybayaquarium.org work will be needed far into the future. That is why they have made a major commitment to the Aquarium—their legacy for the ocean—with the Karen and Phil Drayer Endowment Fund for the Future of the Ocean. Their thoughtful and generous support will have significant impact for the ocean and ocean wildlife—forever. "The Aquarium is one of the few places we have entrusted with the future of our planet." Over the past three decades, they have done much to advance our understanding of the threats facing sea otters and to inspire ocean conservation, but the Drayers are forward thinkers and recognize that our credits: Corey Arnold (3), Jesse Cancelmo/SeaPics.com (7 left), Jim Capwell/www.divecentral.com (10 left), Mark Cavagnero Associates (9 top), Marc Chamberlain /SeaPics.com (6 center right), William Coggin (9 center and right), Phillip Colla/SeaPics.com (7 center right), Courtesy of Karen and Phil Drayer (12), David Fleetham/SeaPics.com (7 right), Salvador Jorgensen/Monterey Bay Aquarium (8 left and center), David Kearnes/SeaPics.com (6 left), Bill Love/gtphoto.com (6 center left), Andy Murch/Elasmodiver.com (6 right), Joseph Platko (2, 4-5), Norbert Probst/Glow Images (cover), Tyson Rininger/Monterey Bay Aquarium (8 top), Randy Tunnell/Monterey Bay Aquarium (10 center), Marli Wakeling/SeaPics.com (7 center left, 10 right). To learn how you can support the Aquarium with a legacy gift, or to let us know you have included the Aquarium in your will or trust, please contact Mary Mullen at [email protected] or 831-648-4913, or visit our website: montereybayaquarium. oceanlegacycircle.org. Thank you! Regular hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Summer & Holiday 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, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific time. Our mission is to inspire conservation of the ocean. shorelines® is published for members of the Monterey Bay Aquarium; 886 Cannery Row; Monterey, California 939401023 P: 831-648-4800; F: 831-644-7554. ©2016 Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation. “Shorelines”, “Monterey Bay Aquarium” and the kelp logo are registered trademarks owned by the Aquarium. All rights reserved.