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The Aquarium of the Pacific brought together government agencies, entrepreneurs, environmentalists, and other stakeholders this past week to look at solutions for dealing with the looming seafood crisis. Over 2/3 of the world’s wild fish stocks are currently fished at or over sustainable levels, and it is predicted that the entire wild seafood industry could collapse in 50 years unless solutions are sought today.

“Creating California-farmed, environmentally friendly seafood products has the potential to reduce our carbon footprint, decrease pressures on wild fish species, reduce our importation of seafood, and increase state revenues,” said Jerry Schubel, Aquarium of the Pacific CEO and session leader.

During the session, opponents challenged why another state or country shouldn’t be the one to solve the problem. However, by the end of the two-day session, there was agreement that California could reap economic benefits while at the same time establishing strict environmental standards for the rest of the nation to follow. Participants agreed that with proper planning, including siting, control of environmental impacts, and monitoring and enforcement, fish could be farmed in a sustainable manner off the coast of Southern California.

The U.S. imports over 70 percent of its seafood. California exceeds the national average with over 80 percent of its seafood coming from abroad, most from Asia.  Producing locally farmed seafood could reduce California’s carbon footprint on these imports, which rank third to our dependence on foreign oil. Consumers could rely on a safe and secure supply of fresh sustainable seafood. California residents also stand to benefit financially. It is estimated that an offshore finfish aquaculture industry in less than one percent of state waters could bring in up to $1 billion.  

Attendees included decision makers from state and federal aquaculture programs. The Aquarium’s session is timely since the state of California is currently developing guidelines pertaining to offshore aquaculture.  

In 2006 the nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific co-founded the Sustainable Seafood Forum, comprised of leading scientists, restaurateurs, and seafood suppliers nationwide. For information visit http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/conservation/sustainable_seafood_forum/.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and in addition to daily prizes, promotions, and an exhibition on the top 10 ocean issues, the Aquarium will be honoring Long Beach students who have shown outstanding efforts in the areas of science, environment, ocean science/marine biology, promoting cultural diversity, and exceptional community service.

Ten award recipients will be honored between August 2008 and May 2009. One recipient will be chosen and honored each month and each 10th Anniversary Scholar will receive the following:

-Greeting by Aquarium President/CEO
-Certificate of recognition
-Private behind-the-scenes tour for the award recipient and up to six family members (ages 7 or older)
-Announcement and photo on the Aquarium’s website
-Podcast interview on Aquarium’s website
-Announcement to Aquarium members

HOW: To be considered for this competition, all interested applicants should visit the Aquarium’s web page at www.aquariumofpacific.org/newsevents/newsdetail/10th_anniversary_scholars/ to download and fill out the application. Early entries are encouraged as one award will be given each month. The final application deadline is February 28, 2009. Awards will be determined by a committee made of Aquariums staff and 10th Anniversary Committee Community Representative Naomi Rainey. Applicants must be Long Beach residents between the ages of 7- 18 years old. Family members of Aquarium employees, volunteers, and board are not eligible.

WHEN: One 10th Anniversary Scholar will be selected each month between August 2008 – May 2009

WHERE: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

INFO: For more information, the public call 562-590-3100 or can visit www.aquariumofpacific.org

AQUARIUM: The Aquarium of the Pacific, a not-for-profit institution, is dedicated to instilling a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems. It is the fifth largest aquarium in the nation and is visited by 1.4 million people annually. The Aquarium houses over 550 different species and features a variety of both on- and off-site programs to engage the public in ocean conservation and environmental education. These programs include the Aquarium on Wheels outreach programs for low-income inner city school students and cleanups efforts to help local wildlife. The Aquarium of the Pacific is ranked as one of the top two Los Angeles cultural attractions. The latest Zagat U.S. Family Travel Guide rated the Aquarium of the Pacific as #2 Los Angeles area Family Destination. The Aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and is located at 100 Aquarium Way in Long Beach, Calif. For more information, the public may visit www.aquariumofpacific.org or call 562-590-3100.

Wednesday, August 6
Guest Speaker: Dr. Gary Griggs
Topic: Coastal Hazards
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Join Dr. Griggs at the Aquarium of the Pacific as he explores the future of increasing sea levels and how coastal communities can prepare for this inevitable phenomenon.
Griggs, a professor of Earth Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz and a 15 year geological advisor to Santa Cruz County, whose research and teaching have been focused on coastal processes, hazards and coastal engineering. His most recent work has focused on coastal hazards and land use planning along the California coast. This lecture is part of the Ocean on Edge: Top 10 Ocean Issues Lecture Series.
Cost: $7 for the public and $4 for general members.  FREE for Pacific Circle Members and students with valid ID
Sponsors: Westin Long Beach and Gazette Newspapers  
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
RSVP Required: 562-951-1630
Info: www.aquariumofpacific.org, click on “News/Events”

Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Ocean on the Edge Lecture Series: Dr. Robert Dalrymple
Topic: Living in Harm’s Way
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Population is increasing in coastal areas. Sea level is rising. Tropical storms may be becoming more intense. All of these factors conspire to increase the hazards of living on the edge. Engineering can reduce the risks, but not eliminate them. Dr. Robert Dalrymple draws on his experiences in tsunami-damaged Thailand and hurricane-flooded New Orleans to illustrate two coastal hazards and some of the lessons learned from these disasters. Speaking at the Aquarium, Dr. Dalrymple will show some suggested solutions for eroding coastal Louisiana in the face of relative sea level rise and the threats of hurricanes.  Dr. Dalrymple is the Willard & Lillian Hackerman Professor of Civil Engineering at Johns Hopkins University where he teaches coastal engineering and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.  Dr. Dalrymple is currently chairing a National Research Council committee that is reviewing the Corps. of Engineers' plans for Louisiana hurricane protection.  
Sponsors: The Westin, Long Beach and Gazette Newspapers, Grunion Gazette & Downtown Gazette
Cost: $7 for the public and $4 for general members. FREE for students with valid student ID with advance reservations.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
RSVP: 562-590-3100
Info: www.aquariumofpacific.org

Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Ocean on the Edge Lecture Series: An evening event with Dr. Carl Safina
Topic: Connecting with Earth: The Spiritual Link
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Join Dr. Carl Safina for a special evening at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Explore and discover the beauty and the importance of the World Ocean’s rich marine biodiversity and our “deeper” spiritual relationship with it. Whether religious or not, this will be an inspiring, thought-provoking evening. After an hour of exploration throughout the Aquarium’s galleries, gather in the Aquarium’s Great Hall to explore the challenges and the moral and spiritual imperatives for forging a different, more successful relationship with the living world. Dr. Safina brought ocean conservation into the environmental mainstream. His hundred-plus publications and award-winning books include Song for the Blue Ocean and Voyage of the Turtle. He’s been profiled by the New York Times, Nightline, and Bill Moyers. His awards include a Pew Fellowship, Lannan Literary Award, John Burroughs Medal, and a MacArthur Prize, among others.
Sponsors: The Westin, Long Beach and Gazette Newspapers, Grunion Gazette & Downtown Gazette, Long Beach Magazine, and Jerry and Margaret Schubel
Cost: $7 for the public and $4 for general members.  FREE for students with valid student ID with advance reservation
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
RSVP: 562-590-3100
Info: www.aquariumofpacific.org

Friday evenings, September 5 through December 26
Shark Lagoon Nights
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
The public is invited to get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators at the Aquarium of the Pacific for FREE during Shark Lagoon Nights. Guests will have the opportunity to touch more than 150 sharks and see large sharks such as sandtigers at the Shark Lagoon exhibit on select Friday evenings from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Shark Lagoon brings guests closer to these predators than they ever imagined. Guests can touch and learn about sharks; shop in Pacific Collections; purchase drinks, coffee, dessert, or a light meal; and enjoy live music during Shark Lagoon Nights.
Cost: FREE
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Info: 562-590-3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org

Saturday & Sunday, September 6-7
Baja Splash Cultural Festival
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican Independence Day, the Aquarium of the Pacific will host its seventh annual Baja Splash Cultural Festival featuring live entertainment, crafts, educational programs, ethnic entrees, and much more. The Aquarium’s weekend festival will celebrate the beauty and diversity of Hispanic cultures through song, dance, art, and cultural displays.  Mariachi music, Mexican folkloric and Aztec dance troupes, interactive mural painting, Guatemalan marimba music, Salvadoran dance, and other special programs will be featured. Guests can also learn more about the amazing animals of Baja, Mexico and how they can help protect them.
Cost: General Admission--$20.95 adult (12+), $17.95 senior (62+), $11.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Info/Tickets: 562-590-3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org
*Supported in part by a grant from the Arts Council for Long Beach and the City of Long Beach

Tuesday, September 16
Seniors Day
9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
The Aquarium of the Pacific will open its doors for free to seniors ages 50 and above on this special day.  Special exhibits for seniors will include booth displays by the Aquarium’s volunteer services, education, and animal husbandry departments.  
Cost: FREE to ages 50 and over with a valid photo ID or $20.95 adult (12+), $11.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Info/Tickets: 562-590-3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org

Saturday & Sunday, September 20-21
Moompetam: Native American Festival
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
The Aquarium of the Pacific will celebrate its fourth annual Southeast Asia Day. The festival’s program will highlight the beauty and cultural diversity of Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. Guests will enjoy live performances, including music, dance, and cultural craft demonstrations. Ethnic dishes will be available for purchase, and children will have the opportunity to partake in arts and crafts.
Cost: General Admission--$20.95 adult (12+), $17.95 senior (62+), $11.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Info/Tickets: 562-590-3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org
*Supported in part by a grant from the Arts Council for Long Beach and the City of Long Beach

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Ocean on the Edge Lecture Series: Author Brian Fagan
Topic: The Great Warming: Climate Change and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Join Author Brian Fagan as he takes you on a journey through the warming world of the medieval times and relates it to the current condition of our warming world.  During his talk Fagan will explore the lessons we can learn from the higher temperatures of a thousand years ago and what is the most menacing climatic hazard facing future generations. Fagan is widely regarded as the world’s leading archaeological writer.  He has served as a consultant for many organizations such as Time/Life, National Geographic Society, and Encyclopedia Britannica.  He also has helped with the development of many public television programs, such as NPR’s series Patterns of the Past. He is the author of The Great Warming: Climate Change and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations. He was trained as an archaeologist at Pembroke College, Cambridge and is currently an emeritus professor of anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara.  
Sponsors: The Westin, Long Beach and Gazette Newspapers, Grunion Gazette & Downtown Gazette
Cost: $7 for the public and $4 for general members.  FREE for students with valid student ID with advance reservations.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
RSVP: 562-590-3100
Info: www.aquariumofpacific.org

Thursday, September 25, 2008
Flavors of Autumn Wine Dinner
7 p.m.-10 p.m.
A feast for the senses awaits as you immerse yourself in the enchanting ambiance of the Aquarium of the Pacific at night while sitting down to an elegant gourmet meal. Enjoy decadent courses carefully paired to celebrate their accompanying wines. All wines presented are from the Benziger House of Wines.
Menu: 1) roasted beet and mache salad with avocado and aged goat cheese, preserved lemon, and coriander vinaigrette, served with a sauvignon blanc; 2) pear ravioli with brown sugar and sage butter, served with a Carneros Chardonnay; 3) Sonoma crusted rack of lamb with pureed ranch gordo beans, local organic chicories, braised fava with balsamic glaze, served with a Cabernet and Syrah; 4) Tahitian vanilla bean crème brûlée with candied berries and mint served with a port.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Cost: $99 per person or $89 per Aquarium member
Info/Reservations: 562-590-3100
Info: www.aquariumofpacific.org

Saturday, October 4
Southeast Asia Day
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
The Aquarium of the Pacific will celebrate its fourth annual Southeast Asia Day. The festival’s program will highlight the beauty and diversity of Cambodian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Laotian cultures. Guests will enjoy live performances, including music, dance, and cultural craft demonstrations. Ethnic dishes will available for purchase, and children will have the opportunity to partake in arts and crafts.
Cost: General Admission--$20.95 adult (12+), $17.95 senior (62+), $11.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Info/Tickets: 562-590-3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org

Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Guest Speaker:  Dr. Bill Patzert
Ocean on the Edge Lecture Series: Ocean Under Stress
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Not a single square foot of the ocean has been left untouched by modern civilization. The stress on our World Ocean is mounting. Join Dr. Bill Pazert as he discusses how governments, businesses, and each of us can make a sustained effort to curb this downward spiral. Often called the “prophet of California climate,” Dr. Patzert is a scientist at the California Institute of Technology’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. He is a graduate of Purdue University and went on to earn a Ph.D. in oceanography at the University of Hawaii. He’s served as a consultant for NASA, the U.S. Department of Commerce, United Nations, and many scientific and environmental groups.
Sponsors: The Westin, Long Beach and Gazette Newspapers, Grunion Gazette & Downtown Gazette
Cost: $7 for the public and $4 for general members.  FREE for students with valid student ID with advance reservations.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
RSVP: 562-590-3100
Info: www.aquariumofpacific.org

Saturday, October 18
Sea Fare: Dine with the fish, and bid on exciting auction items  
6:30-10:30 p.m.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is pleased to host its fifth annual Sea Fare, an evening of dining, live music, silent and live auctions, and more. Guests will kick off the night with an open bar, live music, will dine with the fish while sampling diverse cuisines from local restaurants and food and beverage companies and will have the opportunity to bid on a range of unique live and silent auction items. Proceeds will lend a helping fin to the nonprofit Aquarium’s ocean conservation education efforts.
Cost: $125 per person, which includes an open bar and diverse samplings of food provided by area restaurants
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Info/RSVP: 562-951-1606 or lglasco@lbaop.org

Saturday & Sunday, October 25-26
Scarium of the Pacific
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Discover the creatures lurking in the depths of Pacific at the Scarium of the Pacific—a spooktacular educational Halloween event for the whole family. Enjoy special Halloween programs, including the annual children’s costume contest, the creepy coloring contest, magic shows, spooky storytelling, kooky crafts, eerie animals in the Great Hall, and much more.  
Cost: General Admission--$20.95 adult (12+), $17.95 senior (62+), $11.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Info/Tickets: 562-590-3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org

Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Ocean on the Edge Lecture Series:  Author and Artist Richard Ellis
Topic: Tuna: A Love Story Lecture and Book Signing
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Richard Ellis is one of America's leading marine conservationists and is generally recognized as the foremost painter of marine natural history subjects in the world. In his talk he will explore the tuna—one of the biggest, fastest, and most highly evolved of marine animals and the source of some of the world’s most popular delicacies—now hovering on the brink of extinction. In the early 20th century, bluefin tuna were known as “horse mackerel,” fit only to feed to dogs, but the astonishing development of the Japanese sashimi market turned the tuna from a trash fish into the most valuable fish in the world. In 2001, a single fish sold for $173,000 at the wholesale fish market in Tokyo. In recent years, the tuna's place on our palettes has come under scrutiny, as we grow increasingly aware of our own health and the health of our planet. Ellis will explain how a fish that was once able to thrive has become a commodity, in a book that shows how the natural world and the global economy converge on our plates.
Sponsors: The Westin, Long Beach and Gazette Newspapers, Grunion Gazette & Downtown Gazette
Cost: $7 for the public and $4 for general members.  FREE for students with valid student ID with advance reservations.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
RSVP: 562-590-3100
Info: www.aquariumofpacific.org

November 12, 2008 at 10 a.m.
Press Preview of new exhibition opens at the Aquarium
Our Watersheds: Pathway to the Pacific
A new addition in November 2008 will provide visitors with sustainable solutions and the knowledge to help make a difference for the environment at any age.  The new exhibition includes a watershed environmental exhibition, classroom, and native garden. A shaded outdoor area will feature five exhibits on local watersheds, including a model of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel watersheds with various interactive features. Hands-on exhibits will demonstrate the practical and environmentally friendly ways in which we can live more sustainably with nature and its resources. The exhibits will define a watershed, illustrate the watersheds, and explore concepts of water supply and use. Surrounding the classroom and outdoor exhibits, native landscaping will represent the flora found in the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Watersheds and illustrate how native gardens can significantly reduce water use.The watershed environmental exhibition will be open daily for Aquarium visitors and the classroom will be open for special classes and events for both students and adults. The new building will be the first in Long Beach to receive the highest “green” rating--Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum rating.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Media RSVP: Marilyn Padilla at mpadilla@lbaop.org or 562-951-1684

November 15, 2008 at 10 a.m.
Public opening of new exhibition at the Aquarium
Our Watersheds: Pathway to the Pacific
The new addition, Our Watersheds: Pathway to the Pacific, will provide visitors with sustainable solutions and the knowledge to help make a difference for the environment at any age.  The new exhibition includes a watershed environmental exhibition, classroom, and native garden. A shaded outdoor area will feature five exhibits on local watersheds, including a model of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel watersheds with various interactive features. Hands-on exhibits will demonstrate the practical and environmentally friendly ways in which we can live more sustainably with nature and its resources. The exhibits will define a watershed, illustrate the watersheds, and explore concepts of water supply and use. Surrounding the classroom and outdoor exhibits, native landscaping will represent the flora found in the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Watersheds and illustrate how native gardens can significantly reduce water use. The watershed environmental exhibition will be open daily for Aquarium visitors and the classroom will be open for special classes and events for both students and adults. The new building will be the first in Long Beach to receive the highest “green” rating--Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum rating.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Cost: General Admission--$20.95 adult (12+), $17.95 senior (62+), $11.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members.
Info/Tickets: 562-590-3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org

Saturday & Sunday, November 1-2
Autumn Festival
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Delve into the arts, cuisines, cultures, and marine environments of Asia during the Aquarium of the Pacific’s seventh annual Autumn Festival. The Autumn Festival highlights the traditions and cultures of Japan, China, Korea, and the Philippines through a weekend of learning opportunities and family entertainment, celebrating the richness and diversity of Asian and Asian American cultures. The festival will feature traditional crafts, music, dance, demonstrations, cultural arts exhibits, artisans and other exhibitors displaying and selling their works, food, storytelling, and much more. Move to the sounds of taiko drumming, watch dancers, acrobats, and martial arts demonstrations.  Try your hand at origami, and purchase hand-made crafts. The Autumn Festival is a joint project of the Aquarium of the Pacific and RYOMA.
Cost: General Admission--$20.95 adult (12+), $17.95 senior (62+), $11.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Info/Tickets: 562-590-3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org

Monday, November 3 and 4, 2008
Ocean on the Edge Lecture Series: Dr. Daniel Botkin  
Topics:  Climate change and biodiversity (Nov. 3) / Energy from the Sea (Nov. 4)
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Dr. Daniel B. Botkin is a world-renowned ecologist. The New York Times called him “one of the world’s leading environmental researchers,” who has “done much to popularize the concept of using yet maintaining the world’s natural resources.” Join him for a two-part lecture series at the Aquarium of the Pacific. On November 3, he will discuss climate change and biodiversity. Then, on November 4, he will discuss the ocean’s potential as a resource for energy, posing the question: Can a long-term dream become one of the world’s major solutions to energy needs? Over the past 40 years, Dr. Botkin has studied the potential ecological effects of global warming. He invented the first successful computer program to forecast how environmental change will affect forests. His software is in use worldwide and has been one of the major methods to forecast global warming effects on endangered species and forest ecosystems. Under contracts with the states of Oregon and Washington, he led projects to find out what was causing salmon declines.  He has done research on the history of commercial hunting of the bowhead whales, work that has been important in the international conservation of this endangered species. Under contract with the Department of Defense, he led a project to develop ecosystem management on our nation’s military bases. For the state of California, he directed studies that helped save Mono Lake, helped protect the California Condor, and proposed new ways to plant trees and flowers in Los Angeles to conserve water and at the same time improve the quality of people’s lives. Dr. Botkin is professor emeritus for the department of ecology, evolution, and marine biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara and president of The Center for the Study of the Environment, a nonprofit that provides independent, science-based analyses of complex environmental issues. He is the author of
Discordant Harmonies: A New Ecology for the 21st Century and the text book Environmental Science: Earth as a Living Planet.
Sponsors: The Westin, Long Beach and Gazette Newspapers, Grunion Gazette & Downtown Gazette
Cost: $7 for the public and $4 for general members per lecture.  FREE for students with valid student ID with advance reservations.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
RSVP: 562-590-3100
Info: www.aquariumofpacific.org

Tuesday, November 11
Veterans Day
9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
In celebration of Veterans Day, the Aquarium of the Pacific honors veterans, military personnel, police officers, and firefighters. These men and women are invited to enjoy the Aquarium with free admission on Veterans Day.
Cost: FREE admission with valid service ID or General admission--$20.95 adult (12+), $17.95 senior (62+), $11.95 child (3-11), and free to children under age 3 and Aquarium members
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Info/Tickets: 562-590-3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org

Thursday, November 13, 2008
Ocean on the Edge Lecture Series:  Tim Brick
Topic: Watersheds in Southern California
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Join Tim Brick in a presentation about Southern California watersheds and what makes them so unusual.  Learn why these ecosystems are good organizing units for environmental management and how this relates to the role of the Metropolitan Water District in ensuring the Southland with an adequate supply of water. Get the inside scoop on upcoming water challenges facing the Southern California region. Brick has served 14 years on the Pasadena Utility Advisory Commission, which directs the municipal water and power department, including four terms as chair. He is a member of the Colorado River Water Users Associations, National Water Resources Association, and a member of the board of POWER (Public Officials for Water & Environmental Reform.) He also belongs to the Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, and the Society for Ecological Restoration. He also played an important role in the development of MWD’s World Water Forum program, which provides grants to Southern California colleges for educational efforts addressing world water problems.
Sponsors: The Westin, Long Beach and Gazette Newspapers, Grunion Gazette & Downtown Gazette
Cost: $7 for the public and $4 for general members.  FREE for students with valid student ID with advance reservations.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
RSVP: 562-590-3100
Info: www.aquariumofpacific.org

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Ocean on the Edge Lecture Series: Terry Tamminen
Topic: Lives Per Gallon, lecture and book signing
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Join Terry Tamminen as he discusses his book, Lives per Gallon, and how gas affects much more than just our wallets.  In his book, Tamminen takes a hard look at petroleum and how it contributes to different health hazards.  He also proposes a strategy that calls for an industry reform that is conscious of the different health and environmental hazards brought on by petroleum, which will hopefully help us to one day become a society independent from oil.  Tamminen brings over 40 years of experience in environmental issues both on land and in water.  In 1993 he founded the Santa Monica Bay Keeper and served as its executive director for six years.  In the summer of 2003, he helped Arnold Schwarzenegger win the historic recall election and become governor of California. Tamminen was appointed as the secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency in 2003, and cabinet secretary, the chief policy advisor to the governor, in 2004. He continues to advise the governor on energy and environmental policy.
Sponsors: The Westin, Long Beach and Gazette Newspapers, Grunion Gazette & Downtown Gazette
Cost: $7 for the public and $4 for general members.  FREE for students with valid student ID with advance reservations.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
RSVP: 562-590-3100
Info: www.aquariumofpacific.org

Saturday & Sunday, December 6-7
Holiday Treats for the Animals
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
In celebration of the holiday season, Scuba Santa will be delivering an ocean of gifts to the Aquarium of the Pacific’s sea otters, seals, sea lions, birds, fish, and other animals. Guests can see Scuba Santa dive with sharks and watch the Aquarium’s animals receive their special treats and enrichment gifts during the Holiday Treats for the Animals weekend. Families can enjoy holiday music, crafts, special presentations, unique photo opportunities, shopping, and more. The Seal and Sea Lion Habitat will be decked out for the “sea”son with frozen “fishmas” treats. Guests can watch the sea otters savor candy cane-shaped ice treats, gourmet lobster tails, and their very own snowman. Throughout the day Aquarium staff will give special gift delicacies to other marine animals as well.
Cost: General Admission--$20.95 adult (12+), $17.95 senior (62+), $11.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members.

 Monday, December 8, 2008
Ocean on the Edge Lecture Series:  Dr. William Deverell
Topic: The Watersheds of the Los Angeles Basin: History, Memory, and Culture
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Explore the recent history of the watersheds of Los Angeles with Dr. William Deverell at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Paying close historical attention to watersheds offers a fascinating angle of perception on human communities, and the case of greater Los Angeles is especially interesting and important. Dr. Deverell is director of the Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West and professor of history at USC.  He earned his undergraduate degree in American Studies from Stanford and his M.A. and Ph.D. in American history from Princeton, where he studied under the supervision of James McPherson.  Prior to coming to USC, professor Deverell taught at the California Institute on Technology and the University of California, San Diego.
Sponsors: The Westin, Long Beach and Gazette Newspapers, Grunion Gazette & Downtown Gazette
Cost: $7 for the public and $4 for general members.  FREE for students with valid student ID with advance reservations.
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
RSVP: 562-590-3100
Info: www.aquariumofpacific.org

**Please note: prices subject to change. Visit www.aquariumofpacific.org for the latest information.

Global warming, sea level rise, & coastal retreat--special talks by leading experts 8/6 & 8/26 @ Aquarium of the Pacific.

Join us August 6, as Gary Griggs, Director of the Institute of Marine Sciences University of California, Santa Cruz, explores how high might sea level rise, when will it get there, and how do we deal with
this inevitability.

Also, join us August 26, as Dr. Robert Dalrymple draws on his experiences in tsunami-damaged Thailand and hurricane-flooded New Orleans to illustrate two coastal hazards and some lessons learned. 

August 6, 2008
Gary Griggs
Global Warming, Sea Level Rise, and Coastal Retreats

The majority of California population lives in coastal communities, and our shorelines and coastal bluffs have been intensively developed.

All of the information presently available indicates that sea level rise will continue into the foreseeable future, perhaps at an increased rate.

Join us as Gary Griggs, Director of the Institute of Marine Sciences University of California, Santa Cruz, explores how high might sea level rise, when will it get there, and how do we deal with this inevitability.
DATE: August 6, 2008
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Aquarium of the Pacific, Honda Theater, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA
COST: $7 for the public, $4 Aquarium members, Free for Pacific Circle members & students with ID
Reservations recommended.
INFO: (562) 590-3100, ext. 0 or www.aquariumofpacific.org

August 26, 2008
Robert (Tony) A. Dalrymple
Living in Harm’s Way
Join us as Dr. Robert Dalrymple draws on his experiences in tsunami-damaged Thailand and hurricane-flooded New Orleans to illustrate two coastal hazards and some lessons learned.

He will also show some possible futures for eroding coastal Louisiana in the face of relative sea level rise and the threats of hurricanes. Dr. Dalrymple is the Willard & Lillian Hackerman Professor of Civil Engineering at Johns Hopkins University where he teaches coastal engineering, and he is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.

He is currently chairing a National Research Council committee that is reviewing the Corps of Engineers' plans for Louisiana hurricane protection.

DATE: August 26, 2008
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Aquarium of the Pacific, Honda Theater, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA
COST: $7 for the public, $4 Aquarium members, Free for Pacific Circle members & students with ID
Reservations recommended.
INFO: (562) 590-3100, ext. 0 or www.aquariumofpacific.org
 

Aquarium of the Pacific hosts seventh annual Baja Splash Cultural Festival the weekend of September 6 & 7, 2008.

Aquarium’s festival celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month and features dance & music performances, bilingual environmental programs, arts & crafts, and more

Aquarium visitors to receive FREE admission to the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach during Baja Splash Weekend

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican Independence Day, the Aquarium of the Pacific will host its seventh annual Baja Splash Cultural Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 6-7, 2007 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This event for the whole family will feature environmental educational programs, including underwater presentations with divers (Spanish and English), as well as traditional dance, crafts, music, storytelling, interactive children’s programs, ethnic food, and much more. Those visiting the Aquarium during the festival will also receive FREE admission to the Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA) that weekend by presenting their Aquarium of the Pacific ticket stubs.

This year's Baja Splash will highlight Mexico’s Gulf of California, which is one of the most important wildlife havens in the world. Through the Aquarium’s bilingual film A Sea on the Edge and Gulf of California exhibition, visitors will be able to learn about this important ecosystem, the threats facing it, and how they can help.

Mexican, Salvadoran, and Panamanian folk dance performances, Aztec dancers, and other entertainers will perform in front of the Aquarium’s tallest exhibit, the Blue Cavern—home to leopard sharks, giant sea bass, rays, and other denizens of the deep. The public may also enjoy live musical entertainment such as a Mexican mariachi and a Guatemalan marimba group. The Aquarium’s Marine Life Theater will feature an interactive cultural program for families, and there will be children’s craft workshops presented by MoLAA in the Great Hall and ethnic cuisine available for purchase in Café Scuba.

Highlighted entertainers, include: Danza Azteca Cultural Ketzaliztli (Aztec drum and dance); Ballet Folklorico ASOSAL (Salvadoran dance); Mariachi (Mexican music); Marimba Guatemala India (music); Mixcoacalli Ballet Folklorico (Mexican dance); Folklorico del Mar (Mexican dance); MEXIKA "Sounds of Ancient Mexico" (interactive music and storytelling); Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama; and more. This event is included with paid Aquarium admission.

Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA)
Founded in 1996, MoLAA is more than a museum; it is a renowned cultural center that presents a diverse array of special events and educational programs.  A non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization, MoLAA's mission is to educate the public about contemporary Latin American fine art (by artists who have lived and worked in Latin America since WWII) through the presentation of a significant permanent collection, dynamic exhibitions, and related cultural and educational programs.  The museum is located in the heart of the East Village Arts District of Long Beach.  The museum’s weekend hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, visit www.molaa.org  or call 562-437-1689.

Aquarium of the Pacific
The Aquarium of the Pacific, a nonprofit institution, celebrates our planet’s largest and most diverse body of water: the Pacific Ocean. Home to more than 12,500 animals, the Aquarium explores the waters of Southern California and Baja and the Northern and Tropical Pacific. The Aquarium features hands-on discovery labs staffed by knowledgeable volunteers; the Lorikeet Forest aviary; its interactive Shark Lagoon; the bilingual kiosk exhibit Whales: Voices in the Sea, the new Ocean on the Edge exhibition; and the bilingual Gulf of California exhibition and accompanying film A Sea on the Edge. The Aquarium was rated #2 Los Angeles area Family Destination in the latest Zagat U.S. Family Travel Guide. A world of discovery awaits people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. The Aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and is located at 100 Aquarium Way in Long Beach, Calif. General admission is $20.95 for adults (12+), $17.95 for seniors (62+), $11.95 for children (3-11), and free for children under 3 and Aquarium members. For advance tickets and information, the public may visit www.aquariumofpacific.org or call 562/590-3100.                                          

Festival Sponsor: Union Bank of California                                                                

Supported in part by a grant from the Arts Council for Long Beach and the City of Long Beach

The Aquarium of the Pacific recognized American Honda Motor Company Inc. for their sponsorship of its programs and events over the last decade during an awards ceremony attended by Aquarium VIP Donors and Charter Members. Over the last 10 years, American Honda has donated more that $2.7 million in contributions to the nonprofit Aquarium, including sponsorship of the Honda Theater, leases on two vehicles (a Honda Odyssey wrapped as a yellow submarine and Civic Natural Gas car) for the Aquarium’s daily use, and support for the Aquarium’s Ocean Conservation Awards Gala each year since 1998.  Their gifts also include that for the last five years Honda has donated a vehicle as a prize for the Aquarium’s annual summer raffle, in 2006 donated outboard motors for the Aquarium’s dive boat, and in 2006 also partnered with the Aquarium in providing a unique marine science mural at the Cesar Chavez Elementary School in Long Beach.

“Honda’s gifts have made a tremendous and indelible impact on the ability of the Aquarium to carry out its mission. Honda’s commitment to the ocean extends beyond the Aquarium with their award-winning hybrid vehicles, innovative fuel technologies, and vision for a cleaner and more energy-efficient future,” said Dr. Jerry R. Schubel, Aquarium of the Pacific president and CEO.

Honda began operations in North America in 1959 with the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas subsidiary. Honda began assembling motorcycles in America in 1979, with U.S. automobile manufacturing starting in 1982. Honda now employs more than 26,000 Americans in the design, manufacture and marketing of its products in America. Honda currently builds products in 12 manufacturing plants in North America, with three major R&D centers in the U.S.
 

This Shark Week visitors to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach can embark on their own shark adventures. They will explore the mysterious and exciting world of the ocean’s ultimate predators as they come face to face and even touch some of the Aquarium’s over 200 sharks.

Throughout Shark Week at the Aquarium of the Pacific, guests can watch shark feeding presentations, touch over 150 sharks, look at shark babies inside eggs, and take photos with the Aquarium of the Pacific’s shark mascot. Aquarium guests will also have the chance to win commemorative Shark Week merchandise from July 27 through August 3, 2008. 
                

Aquarium guests will discover that sharks are as diverse as the ocean they inhabit, as they see sharks of all shapes and sizes found throughout the Pacific Ocean from Palau to Southern California. They’ll find out why sharks are important to the planet and how individuals can help protect them.

Each guest will have the chance to see sandtiger, sandbar, nurse, leopard, swell, horn, bonnethead, and blacktip and whitetip reef sharks. At Shark Lagoon, guests can even reach in and touch bamboo, epaulette, and zebra sharks.  Visitors can also check out the Shark Baby exhibit. Individuals can explore the entire Aquarium to meet sharks and over 500 other animals that share the ocean with them such as stingrays, sawfish, and sea lions.  SHARK WEEK premieres July 27 to August 2 on Discovery Channel. For more information visit discovery.com/sharkweek.

SHARK WEEK ADVANCE SCREENING OFFERED AS PART OF THE CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS LONG BEACH SEA FESTIVAL
In partnership with the Discovery Channel, the City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, and Charter Communications, the Aquarium of the Pacific will gear up for Shark Week with an advance FREE screening of a new episode on its front lawn on Sunday, July 20 at 8:00 p.m. The public is invited to bring their family and friends to watch the episode as it is projected on a large outdoor screen. Picnics are encouraged, and people can bring their own food or purchase it from the Aquarium. There will be opportunities to visit the sharks and other animals at the Aquarium with a special admission rate of only $10 from 5 p.m.-10 p.m.

WHEN:        Shark Week at the Aquarium: Sunday, July 27 through Sunday, August 3, 2008
        Advance Screening of a new Shark Week Episode: Sunday, July 20, 2008

WHERE:               Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

COST:                 Sunday, July 20 outdoor screening on the Aquarium’s front lawn is FREE
Aquarium admission: $20.95 adult (12+), $17.95 senior (62+), $11.95 child (3-11), & free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members. Or $10 admission on Summer Sundays after 5 p.m.
INFO:                 562-590-3100 or  www.aquariumofpacific.org
AQUARIUM:   Aquarium of the Pacific, a nonprofit institution, is dedicated to instilling a sense of wonder,
respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems.

More than 12 million people have visited it. Over 12,500 animals call it home. Its cultural festivals unite diverse ethnic communities. It brings together scientists, decision-makers, and the public to address pressing environmental issues. It’s the first in the museum or aquarium industry to become a Climate Action Leader™. The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific has evolved beyond a traditional aquarium since it opened in 1998 and is now celebrating 10 years of ocean adventure and education. The public is invited to join in on the Aquarium of the Pacific’s 10^th Anniversary Celebration from June 13, 2008 through May 30, 2009.

Through new exhibits on the most pressing ocean environmental issues, an Aquarium tribute film, interactive animals, educational programs, music performances, and daily prize giveaways and promotions, people of all ages can join in on the year-long party and learn how to protect our ocean planet. “Throughout our celebration, we hope to entertain, inspire, educate, and empower people to get involved in protecting our World Ocean,” said Jerry Schubel, Aquarium of the Pacific president & CEO. 

The Aquarium will also highlight its 10 most popular animals, and visitors will have the chance to learn insider stories about animals that have been at the Aquarium from the beginning. Throughout the summer, the Aquarium will feature 10 music performances daily, including surprise musical shows by Pacific Percussion. All guests visiting the Aquarium during its celebration will receive a 10^th anniversary commemorative visitor guide, featuring pages to emboss with images of many of the Aquarium’s most beloved animals.

After visiting the Aquarium’s many marine mammals, fish, and birds, guests can learn how to help these species in the wild by protecting the ocean we all depend on. The Aquarium of the Pacific’s new Ocean on the Edge exhibition and guest speaker series will enable the public to learn about the top 10 environmental issues currently facing our ocean, the impacts on people and animals, and how they can help. “The Aquarium has made it a priority to provide leadership in enhancing public ocean knowledge at regional, state, and national levels,” said Schubel.

The gallery features new exhibits on the top 10 ocean environmental issues, including ocean health and human health, global climate change, loss of wildlife diversity, and ocean trade. Sea jellies, corals, and fish are included in the gallery. The Aquarium will also be highlighting program animals that are part of the Ocean on the Edge theme, including a desert tortoise, bearded dragon, blue-tongue skink, and Sulphur-crested cockatoo. Aquarium biologists will bring these animals out daily to interact with guests in order to tell them about the environmental issues affecting their populations in the wild.

Another way people can learn more is through the year-long Ocean on the Edge Speaker Series, featuring top experts from around the nation covering the most pressing issues facing our ocean today. The series will kick off on June 17 with an overview of the current state of the ocean by Pulitzer-prize environmental writer Kenneth Weiss. From a short film in fairytale genre to discussions about current water quality at local beaches, there will be talks for all interests and ages. The presentations will be FREE for students with advance reservations and valid I.D. “Whether it’s choosing local products to reduce carbon footprints or supporting conservation of coral reefs, we hope to provide visitors with a variety of ways to get involved,” said Schubel.

Before visiting the Aquarium during its anniversary, the public is invited to find out about and take advantage of special discounts and promotions. Anyone born on the 10^th of any month will receive general admission to the Aquarium for only $10 with a valid I.D. or birth certificate throughout the celebration. Also, from June 22 through August 31, 2008, the Aquarium will extend its hours until 10 p.m. on Sundays. Visitors can call or visit the Aquarium’s Web site to find out more. And the party does not end at the Aquarium. The entire city of Long Beach will also be celebrating the Aquarium’s anniversary. To find out about these Long Beach events and promotions, visit the Long Beach Convention & Visitor Bureau website at www.PartyLikeASeaStar.com.

Described by Jacques Cousteau as the world’s aquarium, Mexico’s Gulf of California is one of five marine ecosystems in the world with the highest diversity of wildlife. But pressures from unsustainable tourism, development, and commercial fishing are threatening the wildlife and the way of life for the people of the region. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Aquarium of the Pacific have formed a partnership to help save the Gulf of California.

“After looking for a partner for an in-the-field conservation project for more than five years, the Aquarium was pleased to find one that we expect will have an enormous positive impact, both for the ecosystem and the local people who depend on it,” said Jerry Schubel, Aquarium of the Pacific president & CEO.

As part of the partnership, the two nonprofit organizations will debut a new film and exhibit on the Gulf of California on April 30, 2008 at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Through the new exhibition, Aquarium visitors will learn about this diverse habitat, the animals and people who depend on it, and WWF and the Aquarium’s role in protecting the gulf. The goal of the new permanent exhibition is to raise awareness about the Gulf of California, the threats facing it today, and how people can help.

“Mexico’s Gulf of California is one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet. Human actions are threatening the gulf, and it is now at a tipping point. Through our partnership with the Aquarium, we hope to inspire its 1.4 million annual visitors and others to get involved in protecting this gem before it is too late,” said Stephen B. Cox, vice president of WWF-US and director of the Gulf of California Program, WWF.

The new exhibition features a new film and an exhibit highlighting marine life of this region, consisting of a video exhibit, graphics, and two aquarium displays, as well as Baja land animals. The new film A Sea on the Edge, offered daily in the Aquarium’s Honda Theater (free to Aquarium visitors), explores solutions to threats facing the gulf and its inhabitants. Viewers will go above and below the surface to meet the people and animals that rely on the Gulf.

The Aquarium worked with Bowman Design Group, a Hackley+Bowman Project, to transform the former Sea of Cortez exhibit into the Gulf of California exhibition. A video screen takes visitors on a journey to explore the unique habitats of the gulf and to meet some endemic and endangered animals that depend on it. In addition, a variety of colorful fish found in the Southern region of the Gulf are featured in a nearly 8,000-gallon exhibit, including king angelfish, Cortez rainbow wrasse, porcupine fish, and Mexican lookdowns. A 1,800-gallon exhibit features other animals of the gulf, including garden eels—tiny eels that bury their bodies in the sand. The Aquarium will also be highlighting land animals from Baja California, Mexico, including the mid Baja rosy boa, king snake, and red-legged tarantula. Aquarium staff will bring these animals out daily for Aquarium guests to get an up-close look at them.

The Gulf of California lies between Mexico’s mainland and the Baja California Peninsula. It is home to one third of the world’s marine mammal species, over 170 seabird species, and over 900 fish species. Five out of the seven species of endangered sea turtles rely on the Gulf of California. The Gulf is also home to animals found nowhere else in the world, including the world’s smallest cetacean, a critically endangered animal called the vaquita, and the endangered totoaba fish.

“Choosing eco-tourism in the region, avoiding property purchases in threatened areas, and supporting WWF’s conservation actions in the gulf are some ways visitors can turn around the future for the wildlife and communities of this region,” said Schubel.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) works to achieve a careful balance between meeting the needs of the local people and maintaining a healthy ecosystem in Mexico’s Gulf of California. WWF focuses its conservation efforts on three areas: creating a network of marine protected areas; promoting sustainable fisheries and encouraging sustainable coastal development and tourism. WWF has a vision for the region: a healthy, productive, and resilient Gulf of California that reliably produces the ecosystem goods and services needed to support human welfare, healthy economies, and biological diversity.  Founded in 1961, WWF is the largest multinational conservation organization in the world, working in 100 countries and supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and nearly 5 million globally.  WWF’s unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level, from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature. Info: www.worldwildlifefund.org/GulfCA

Festival to feature international dance and music performances by talented kids, interactive music program for all ages, children’s mural painting, crafts, and more

WHAT:        In celebration of Día del Niño (children's day), the Aquarium of the Pacific will host a special festival for kids featuring dance and music performances by kids’ groups, live music, interactive music programs, arts and crafts, and more on Sunday, April 27, 2008 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The Aquarium will honor kids on this day with a free child’s admission with regular paid adult admission when presenting the “Dia del Nino” or “children’s day” coupon, which is available on the Aquarium’s Web site.

        The festival will include special cultural dance and music performances by children and youth from local Hispanic, African-American, Asian, and Pacific Islander communities. Among the featured performances are a youth mariachi, Mexican folk dance, West African drum and dance, Polynesian dances, and Japanese dance. In addition, children can partake in painting an ocean mural, make crafts to take home, and enjoy Aztec face painting.  During the festival, the Aquarium will also bestow its Young Hero Award to its 2008 recipient at 1 p.m. at the Blue Cavern exhibit.

        Popular in Mexico since 1925, Día del Niño honors the importance of children and welcomes their contribution to society.

WHEN:        Sunday, April 27, 2008 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Aquarium closes at 6 p.m.)

WHERE:        Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

COST:        Included with admission-$20.95 for adults (12+), $17.95 for seniors (62+), $11.95 for children (3-11), and free for children under 3 and Aquarium members

One FREE child admission will be granted with each paid adult admission with the “Día del Niño” or “children’s day” coupon, available on the Aquarium’s Web site.
         http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/downloads/diadelnino08.pdf

INFO:        (562) 590-3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org

 

 The Aquarium of the Pacific’s President and CEO Dr. Jerry R. Schubel has been appointed to the California Ocean Protection Council’s Science Advisory Team (OPC - SAT). The goal of this science advisory body is to ensure that the best available science is applied to OPC policy decisions. The OPC science advisor will call on members of the team to provide expert review, advice, and synthesis of scientific inquiries made by OPC or its staff. Dr. Schubel and the other members display expertise relevant to OPC’s numerous deliberations as well as disciplinary representations and a variety of institutional affiliations. The member scientists will be volunteering their time to provide expert advice on a number of ocean health problems facing California and the nation.

Fellow members of the 25-person committee include: Richard F. Ambrose, professor/director at the University of California, Los Angeles/Environmental Science and Engineering Center; Dr. Mark Carr, professor of marine ecology in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz; Steve Weisberg, executive director of Southern California Coastal Water Research Project; and Francisco Chavez, senior scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

Dr. Schubel is past president of the Estuarine Research Federation, a member and past chair of the National Sea Grant Review Panel, and was a member of the U.S. EPA’s Science Advisory Board. He was formerly chair of the National Research Council’s Marine Board and is now a member. He currently chairs the committee on the future of the St. Lawrence Seaway for the Transportation Research Board, the Marine Board, and the Water Science and Technology Board of the National Research Council. He has chaired a number of other National Research Council committees and his service was recognized in 2004 when he was designated a National Associate of the National Academies.  He chairs the Ocean Research and Resources Advisory Panel (ORRAP), which is mandated by Congress to provide advice to all federal agencies with ocean programs.

Dr. Schubel holds a B.S. from Alma College, an M.A.T. from Harvard University, a Ph.D. in oceanography from Johns Hopkins University, and is the recipient of an honorary D.Sc. from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He has published more than 200 papers and five books. In 2007, Dr. Schubel was presented with the national Ocean Champion award at Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute in West Long Branch, New Jersey.

 AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC ANNOUNCES
SPONSOR FOR ANNUAL OCEAN CONSERVATION AWARDS GALA,
 2008 AWARD RECIPIENTS, AND CALIFORNIA CUISINE THEME

 The Aquarium of the Pacific announced today that KUD International will be the Gold Sponsor of  the 10th Anniversary Ocean Conservation Awards Gala on June 14, 2008.  KUD International, a leading real estate developer based in Santa Monica, has stepped forward with a $50,000 contribution to secure top sponsorship of the event.  The 2008 Gala marks the 10th Anniversary of the Aquarium.

Aquarium President & CEO Jerry Schubel remarked, “It’s particularly fitting that the company which developed the Aquarium should be the top sponsor for this special event, but this is just one example of its generosity.” KUD International has supported the Aquarium every year since its opening 10 years ago. Jim Crenshaw, KUD International CFO, commented that “KUD has a special place in its heart for the Aquarium, and we are delighted to celebrate its 10th Anniversary by supporting the 2008 Ocean Conservation Awards Gala.”

The Aquarium anticipates awarding Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger the 2008 Ocean Conservation Award for his environmental leadership in the state of California. Also receiving an Ocean Conservation Award will be Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Vice Admiral, US Navy (Ret.), Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in recognition of his strong understanding of the interactions between our ocean, the environment, and the atmosphere.

In the Governor’s honor, the Aquarium will theme the Gala as a celebration of the state’s new tourism promotion – California: Land of Wine & Food.  Every item on the menu will include a locally grown ingredient in the recipe.  Savor...Long Beach Catering by SMG, the Aquariums long-time exclusive caterer, will be responsible for the menu.  For example, four of the items will be: Brie Fondue, created with renowned Marin County Creamy Petaluma Brie topped with locally grown Catwalk garden heirloom tomato compote, roasted Gilroy garlic crostini and crispy basil; seared coastal dungeness crab cakes with valley grown sunchoke Puree, smoked paprika chili oil and a dollop of buttery classic California Haas Avocado relish; Harris Ranch grilled filet of beef with a Ghirardelli chocolate demi glace; and seared sustainable Pacific halibut with meyer lemon infused beurre blanc & tomato concasse. Another long-time supporter of the Aquarium, King’s Seafood, will be teaming up on creating this special tribute to California: Land of Wine & Food by coordinating all of the wines to be served throughout the evening, including a 10-year-old Madera County Ficklin Tawny Port.

The Aquarium expects 750 guests to attend the annual Ocean Conservation Awards Gala, almost double the number of guests from last year, to celebrate the Aquarium’s 10th Anniversary. Due to the increased number of expected guests, a special dinner tent will be located on the front area of the Aquarium.  Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy all of the beautiful exhibits throughout the building during this evening event, providing the rare opportunity to watch the animal’s nighttime behaviors.  

KUD International is a global force in developments worldwide and has been involved in the real estate evolution of public-private projects for more than a decade, including museums, university facilities, research parks, and athletic stadiums. The company is currently involved in a mixed-use development in London, combining a world-class aquarium with an active town center for the Royal Docks.  In Long Beach, KUD worked with the Aquarium Board and the City of Long Beach to develop the Aquarium of the Pacific making it an educational institution that would revive downtown Long Beach and serve as an anchor for development of the entire Queensway Bay area.  Today the Aquarium of the Pacific draws 1.4 million visitors annually and is a prime feature of the waterfront in Long Beach.

To reserve a table for ten (10) or purchase tickets, call or email Linda Glasco, Aquarium Development Events Manager, at (562) 951-1606 or lglasco@lbaop.org.  Full menu available upon request

AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC LAUNCHES
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGN

Aquarium invites the public to ACT NOW for our ocean, our climate, and our planet
by writing their senators and representatives

WHAT:        The Aquarium of the Pacific is encouraging the public to act now for our ocean, our climate, and planet. Through its Act Now campaign, the nonprofit aquarium is encouraging individuals to voice their concerns about global climate change to their senators and representatives.

“Global climate change is receiving more attention from elected officials in Washington, D.C., and the Aquarium of the Pacific hopes legislation is passed that will help address this pressing environmental issue,” said Barbara Long, VP of government relations.

The Aquarium is inviting the public to express their concerns about global climate change by filling out the Act Now postcard at the Aquarium or on its Web site. Starting, February 8th through March 21st, guests to the Aquarium will be able to visit the Act Now booth to get involved, and visitors to the Aquarium’s Web site will be able to download the card.

“In addition to encouraging the public to get involved, we’re also encouraging other aquariums and museums to become Climate Action Leaders and create their own campaigns to help reduce our nation’s carbon footprint,” said Long. The Aquarium of the Pacific recently became the first in the aquarium/museum industry to be recognized as a Climate Action LeaderTM by voluntarily measuring, certifying, and reporting our Co2 green house gases to the public and the Climate Action Registry. For more information on the Act Now campaign and the Aquarium’s role as a Climate Action Leader, the public can visit www.aquariumofpacific.org or call 562-590-3100.

PROCESSING:        The Aquarium will mail all cards completed on-site to decision makers in Washington, D.C. For those wishing to mail in their own cards, the on-line version includes the address for both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.

WHEN:                Friday, Feb 8, 2008 through Friday, March 21, 2008

WHERE:                Online at www.aquariumofpacific.org (click on Act Now) or
                        on-site at the Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802