Editing Monterey Bay Aquarium

{{Short description|Nonprofit public aquarium in Monterey, California, United States}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox zoo
| name             = Monterey Bay Aquarium
| logo             = Monterey Bay Aquarium Logo.svg
| logo_width       = 90px
| logo_caption     = The aquarium's logo depicts [[Macrocystis pyrifera|giant kelp]]
| logo_alt         = A strand of giant kelp formed into a circle
| image            = Monterey Bay Aquarium exterior August 2016.jpg
| image_width      = 275px
| image_caption    = Main entrance in 2016, featuring the remodeled façade and fiberglass smokestacks of the [[Hovden Cannery]]{{efn|name=Chiang-162|{{harvnb|Chiang|2008|p=162}}}}
| image_alt        = Three smokestacks come out of a glass ceiling above the aquarium's main entrance with white, windowed façades on either side
| slogan           = To inspire conservation of the ocean
| date_opened      = {{start date and age|1984|10|20}}
| location         = [[Cannery Row]], [[Monterey, California|Monterey]], California, U.S.
| coordinates      = {{coord|36.6181|-121.9019|region:US_type:landmark|display=it}}
| floorspace       = {{convert|322000|sqft|abbr=off|sp=us}}{{efn|name=Gerfen|{{harvnb|Gerfen|2016}}}}
| architect        = [[EHDD]]
| num_animals      = ~35,000<!-- Corresponds to number and source in section #Aquarium exhibits -->
| num_species      = 550+<!-- Corresponds to number and source in section #Aquarium exhibits -->
| largest_tank_vol = {{convert|1.2|e6USgal|e6L|abbr=off|sp=us}}<!-- Corresponds to number and source in section #Open Sea wing -->
| total_tank_vol   = {{convert|2.3|e6USgal|e6L|abbr=off|sp=us}}<!-- Corresponds to number and source in section #Aquarium exhibits -->
| annual_visitors  = 2 million<!-- Corresponds to number and sources in section #Community and economic influence -->
| members          = [[Association of Zoos and Aquariums]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aza.org/current-accreditation-list |title=Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums |publisher=Association of Zoos and Aquariums |access-date=March 28, 2018}}</ref>
| exhibits         = Kelp Forest, Sea Otters, Jellies, Open Sea
| publictransit    = [[Monterey–Salinas Transit]]
| website          = {{URL|http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/|montereybayaquarium.org}}
| module           = {{Infobox mapframe
  | stroke-color  = #C60C30
  | marker        = aquarium
  | marker-color  = #1F2F57
  | zoom          = 14}}
}}

'''Monterey Bay Aquarium''' is a [[Nonprofit organization|nonprofit]] [[public aquarium]] in [[Monterey, California]]. Known for its regional focus on the [[marine habitats]] of [[Monterey Bay]], it was the first to exhibit a living [[kelp forest]] when it opened in October 1984. Its biologists have pioneered the [[animal husbandry]] of [[jellyfish]] and it was the first to successfully care for and display a [[great white shark]]. The organization's research and conservation efforts also focus on [[sea otter]]s, various birds, and [[tuna]]s. [[Seafood Watch]], a [[Sustainable seafood advisory lists and certification|sustainable seafood advisory list]] published by the aquarium beginning in 1999, has influenced the discussion surrounding [[sustainable seafood]]. The aquarium was home to [[Otter 841]] prior to her release into the wild as well as [[Rosa (sea otter)|Rosa]], the oldest living sea otter at the time of her death.

Early proposals to build a public aquarium in [[Monterey County]] were not successful until a group of four marine biologists affiliated with [[Stanford University]] revisited the concept in the late 1970s. Monterey Bay Aquarium was built at the site of a defunct [[Sardines as food#Canned sardines|sardine cannery]] and has been recognized for its architectural achievements by the [[American Institute of Architects]]. Along with its architecture, the aquarium has won numerous awards for its exhibition of marine life, [[Marine conservation|ocean conservation]] efforts, and educational programs.

Monterey Bay Aquarium receives around two million visitors each year. It led to the revitalization of [[Cannery Row]], and produces hundreds of millions of dollars for the economy of Monterey County. In addition to being featured in two [[Nature (TV series)|PBS ''Nature'']] documentaries, the aquarium has appeared in film and television productions.

== Founding and design ==
In the early 1960s, scientists at Stanford University's [[Hopkins Marine Station]] grew wary of the growing industry on [[Cannery Row]]. The station succeeded in convincing the university of their concerns in 1967, and Stanford University purchased the property on Cannery Row that housed the [[Hovden Cannery]], a [[Sardines as food#Canned sardines|sardine cannery]] on the border of [[Monterey, California|Monterey]] and [[Pacific Grove, California|Pacific Grove]]. Hovden Cannery closed in 1973 when its parent company moved the plant, and Hopkins used the facility as a warehouse. In the late 1970s, however, Chuck Baxter and Robin Burnett—both faculty members at Hopkins—along with Nancy Burnett, a graduate of [[Moss Landing Marine Laboratories]], and Steve Webster, faculty at [[San Jose State University]], thought of building an aquarium on the Hovden Cannery site.{{efn|name="Chiang-157"|{{harvnb|Chiang|2008|p=157}}}} Three separate proposals for an aquarium in [[Monterey County, California|Monterey County]] had already occurred in 1914, 1925, and 1944, but financial backing and public support for the idea was not sufficient.<ref name="Jaret2011">{{cite magazine |last=Jaret |first=Peter |date=March 1, 2011 |title=Monterey Peninsula: Monterey Bay Aquarium an idea ahead of its time |url=https://www.viamagazine.com/2011/03/01/monterey-peninsula-monterey-bay-aquarium-an-idea-ahead-of-its-time |magazine=Via |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923022109/http://www.viamagazine.com/2011/03/01/monterey-peninsula-monterey-bay-aquarium-an-idea-ahead-of-its-time |archive-date=September 23, 2016 |access-date=September 22, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Nancy Burnett brought the group's interest to her parents, Lucile and [[David Packard]] (co{{nbh}}founder of [[Hewlett-Packard]]), and [[David and Lucile Packard Foundation|their foundation]] commissioned a [[feasibility study]]. An aquarium was predicted to attract 300,000 paying visitors annually with a potential future increase to 500,000 so, in April 1978, the Packards created the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation, which purchased the Hovden property from Stanford for nearly [[US$]]1 million. Around this time, [[Julie Packard]]—also a daughter of David and Lucile—joined the planning group. David Packard funded construction with an initial donation of $7 million with the caveat that the private nonprofit would be financially self-supporting after it opened.{{efn|name=Palumbi-151|{{harvnb|Palumbi|Sotka|2011|p=151}}}}{{efn|name=Chiang-157}} Due to an expansion of its planned exhibits—after visits to [[public aquarium]]s in Japan—and the design and creation of exhibits in{{nbh}}house, the Packards paid a final sum of $55 million.{{efn|name=Chiang-158|{{harvnb|Chiang|2008|p=158}}}}<ref><!-- For just the $55 million figure, which is also corroborated by Reynolds 2009 -->{{Cite web |url=https://www.packard.org/what-we-fund/institutional-support/monterey-bay-aquarium/ |title=Institutional Support – Monterey Bay Aquarium |publisher=The David and Lucile Packard Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628102651/https://www.packard.org/what-we-fund/institutional-support/monterey-bay-aquarium/ |archive-date=June 28, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref>

General contracting firm [[Rudolph and Sletten]] predicted the building would take 31 months (two and a half years) to construct, but project manager Linda Rhodes and architectural firm [[Esherick, Homsey, Dodge, and Davis]] (EHDD){{efn|name=Chiang-158}} first had to design the facility to fit Cannery Row. Those involved intended to reconstruct Hovden Cannery rather than destroy it, and EHDD acknowledged that the latter would be "a big disservice to our visiting public and to the community".{{efn|name=Chiang-161|{{harvnb|Chiang|2008|p=161}}}} Concrete sections of the building were able to be kept, but other areas were repurposed; the cannery's old warehouse was converted into administrative offices, and a seawater system for the aquatic exhibits replaced the cannery's pump house that brought fish to the warehouse from floating storage tanks in the bay.{{efn|name=Chiang-161162|{{harvnb|Chiang|2008|pp=161–162}}}} The facility was constructed around the cannery's [[Boiler (power generation)|boiler house]], which is preserved as a non-functioning public exhibit.{{efn|name=Chiang-162}}{{efn|name=Duggan|{{harvnb|Duggan|2013}}}} As the building would reside partially over water, unique challenges occurred throughout construction. Nearly half of the aquarium would be located over the bay in depths of up to {{convert|120|ft|m|abbr=on}}, requiring [[foundation (engineering)|foundation]]al elements to be installed during low tide, which often occurred at night. According to a project manager with Rudolph and Sletten, excavations were sometimes lost as the composition of the ground underneath beach sand was inconsistent.{{efn|name=Chiang-164|{{harvnb|Chiang|2008|p=164}}}}

Various elements of the building mirrored that of Hovden Cannery, including its windows (to let in sunlight<!-- Chiang 2008 p. 161 -->), plain cement walls, structural protection from waves and storms, and its many roofs.{{refn|group=note|Charles Davis (with architectural firm EHDD) called it a "hodgepodge of roofs" and a journalist described it as a "jumble of rooflines".{{efn|name=Chiang-163|{{harvnb|Chiang|2008|p=163}}}}}} Exposed pipes and ducts along the ceiling also contributed to the industrial style of buildings on Cannery Row. The ironic transition from a plant that processed fish to an aquarium which would display them did not prevent the facility from appearing like a cannery, according to multiple journalists. The aquarium's successful representation of the cannery was acknowledged by the [[California Historical Society]] with a historical preservation award.{{efn|name=Chiang-163}}

When Monterey Bay Aquarium opened on October 20, 1984,{{efn|name=Chiang-155|{{harvnb|Chiang|2008|p=155}}}} it was the largest public aquarium in the United States.<ref name="Lokken1985">{{cite news |last=Lokken |first=Dean |date=August 25, 1985 |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium Awash in a Tide of Visitors |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-08-25-mn-24842-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021131248/http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-25/news/mn-24842_1_monterey-bay-aquarium |archive-date=October 21, 2015 |access-date=October 14, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> On opening day, 11,000 visited it and around 30,000 people attended the day's festivities. In reference to the disappearance of sardines (through [[overfishing]]), which caused the canneries to close, the aquarium said that "the fish are back!"{{efn|name=Chiang-155}} Throughout the following year, 2.4 million people visited,{{efn|name=Brincks|{{harvnb|Brincks|2009}}}} which influenced assumptions about "the ability of marine life to entertain, educate, and promote a city."{{efn|name=Palumbi-151}} Within five years, it was reported in the ''Los Angeles Times'' that it was among California's most popular visitor attractions. By 1994, it was the most attended aquarium in the United States.<ref name="McNulty1989">{{cite news |last=McNulty |first=Jennifer |date=April 30, 1989 |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium Gives Visitors a Thrill |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-30-mn-2869-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017025924/http://articles.latimes.com/1989-04-30/news/mn-2869_1_nonprofit-aquarium-monterey-bay-aquarium-marine-biologists |archive-date=October 17, 2017 |access-date=October 16, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ortiz |first=Catalina |date=November 20, 1994 |title=A Beauty by the Bay: Science: 17 million visitors have made the Monterey Bay Aquarium the nation's most popular. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-11-20-me-64945-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508164338/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-11-20/local/me-64945_1_monterey-bay-aquarium |archive-date=May 8, 2015 |access-date=October 16, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> For its design, EHDD was awarded a National Honor Award from the [[American Institute of Architects]] in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aiawebdev2.aia.org/about2_template.cfm?pagename=library%5Fhonorawards%5F80%5F89 |title=Honor Awards 1980 – 1989 |date=2008 |publisher=The American Institute of Architects |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706012006/http://aiawebdev2.aia.org/about2_template.cfm?pagename=library_honorawards_80_89 |archive-date=July 6, 2011 |access-date=September 10, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The institute's state chapter in California gave the facility its Twenty-five Year Award in 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aiacc.org/2011/10/19/the-american-institute-of-architects-california-council-announces-monterey-bay-aquarium-as-the-2011-twenty-five-year-award-recipient/ |title=The American Institute of Architects, California Council, Announces Monterey Bay Aquarium as the 2011 Twenty-Five Year Award Recipient |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=October 19, 2011 |publisher=The American Institute of Architects California Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701220731/http://www.aiacc.org/2011/10/19/the-american-institute-of-architects-california-council-announces-monterey-bay-aquarium-as-the-2011-twenty-five-year-award-recipient/ |archive-date=July 1, 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2017}}</ref> and, in 2016, it was awarded the [[Twenty-five Year Award|national Twenty-five Year Award]], described as "a benchmark and role model for aquariums everywhere."{{efn|name=Gerfen}}

{{wide image|Panorama of Monterey Bay Aquarium decks in October 2016.png|1200px|The aquarium's {{convert|20000|sqft}} of decks allow visitors to look out over the bay.{{efn|name=Chiang-163}} According to the national Twenty-five Year Award jury, the inclusion of broad windows "blurs the line between museum and natural habitat".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aia.org/practicing/awards/2016/twenty-five-year-award/ |title=2016 Twenty-five Year Award |date=2016 |publisher=The American Institute of Architects |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117215247/http://www.aia.org/practicing/awards/2016/twenty-five-year-award/index.htm |archive-date=January 17, 2016 |access-date=September 10, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>|alt=Panoramic view of the aquarium's {{convert|20,000|ft2}} of public decks overlooking Monterey Bay. The building's walls on either side consist mostly of windows, but there is stadium seating to the right overlooking a man-made tide pool|dir=rtl}}

In discussing the aquarium's conservation and education programs, its track record for entertaining visitors, and its reputation for collaboration, the head of the [[Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] described it as "a definite leader" in 2009 to the ''Los Angeles Times''.{{efn|{{harvnb|Reynolds|2009}}: {{"'}}They are a definite leader,' says Kristin Vehrs, executive director of the Maryland-based Assn. of Zoos & Aquariums, which accredits aquariums. 'They do a great job of balancing the crowd-pleasing with the rigor of the education and conservation programs. They've also been good at sharing' expertise with other institutions."}} Since it opened in 1984, Julie Packard has been the aquarium's executive director.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.ucsc.edu/2018/01/year-of-alumni-packard-julie.html |title=Julie Packard: Safeguarding the sea |date=January 1, 2018 |website=University of California, Santa Cruz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325214254/https://news.ucsc.edu/2018/01/year-of-alumni-packard-julie.html |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=2019-04-02}}</ref>

== Aquarium exhibits<!-- Links direct to this section name from: [[Kelp]] --> ==
According to a progress report during the aquarium's planning phase in 1980, the founders' efforts to build an aquarium developed from an interest in sharing marine life of the region with the public. This would be accomplished through its exhibits, featuring the aquatic habitats of Monterey Bay and central California.{{efn|{{harvnb|Chiang|2008|pp=155, 165}}}} The idea to display marine habitats was inspired by the work of ecologist [[Ed Ricketts]] in his 1939 book on [[intertidal ecology]], ''[[Between Pacific Tides]]''. In the early 1980s this was a unique approach to the design of public aquariums, as the two largest public aquariums at the time in the United States—Boston's [[New England Aquarium]] (1969)  and Baltimore's [[National Aquarium (Baltimore)|National Aquarium]] (1981)—focused on "magnificent coral reef exhibits or big sharks", and displayed few local species.{{efn|name=Palumbi-149|{{harvnb|Palumbi|Sotka|2011|p=149}}}}

=== Seawater system ===
[[File:Kelp_Forest_exhibit_full_main_viewing_window_at_Monterey_Bay_Aquarium.jpg|thumb|alt=Aquarium visitors gaze up through large windows into the {{convert|28|ft|m|adj=on}}-tall Kelp Forest exhibit, containing giant kelp and a few schools of fishes|Main viewing area of the {{convert|320000|USgal|L|adj=on}}{{efn|name=Watanabe|{{harvnb|Watanabe|Phillips|1985}}}} Kelp Forest exhibit, seen from ground level]]

<!-- If these numbers and their sources are altered, the infobox must be updated to reflect. -->Monterey Bay Aquarium displays 35,000 animals{{refn|group=note|This represents the most widely-used figure. In a 1995 census of the aquarium's exhibits, more than 340,000 individual creatures were counted, of which 106,000 were [[Corynactis californica|strawberry anemones]].{{efn|name=Chiang-172|{{harvnb|Chiang|2008|p=172}}}}}} belonging to over 550 species{{efn|name=Beadle|{{harvnb|Beadle|Thompson|2015}}}}<ref name="Jaret2011" /> in {{convert|2.3|e6USgal|L|sp=us}} of water.<ref name="Kingsley2008">{{cite web |url=http://cwtozone.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2015/11/Aquatic-Life-Support_Monterey-Bay-Aquarium_CS.pdf |title=Ozone Use at the Monterey Bay Aquarium: A Natural Seawater Facility |last1=Kingsley |first1=Eric |last2=Phillips |first2=Roger |last3=Mansergh |first3=Sarah |date=August 24–27, 2008 |publisher=Proceedings of the International Ozone Association – Pan American Group |place=Orlando, Florida |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911032908/http://cwtozone.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2015/11/Aquatic-Life-Support_Monterey-Bay-Aquarium_CS.pdf |archive-date=September 11, 2016 |access-date=September 10, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Filtered seawater from Monterey Bay is pumped into the Kelp Forest and other [[Exhibit (educational)|exhibits]] at {{convert|2000|USgal|L}} per minute.{{efn|name=Reynolds|{{harvnb|Reynolds|2009}}}} At night, unfiltered seawater (or "raw seawater") is used for the Kelp Forest exhibit to maintain its realistic appearance. The use of unfiltered seawater allows animals to grow in the aquarium's plumbing so it must occasionally be cleaned with tools called [[Pigging|pigs]], which blast through the pipes under pressure to remove organisms and debris.{{efn|{{harvnb|"Oceans in Glass"|2006}}: events occur at 12:17 and 13:48.}} [[Control system]]s that maintain this seawater system and other life support components for the animals are mostly automated, tracking various chemical parameters and reducing the likelihood for human error during repetitive tasks such as [[Backwashing (water treatment)|filter media backwashing]].<ref name="systemsautomation">{{Cite magazine |last=Mintchell |first=Gary A. |date=November 1, 2000 |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium reels in the perfect automation solution |url=https://www.controleng.com/single-article/monterey-bay-aquarium-reels-in-the-perfect-automation-solution/b2269a7d7862bfaa075c72c2421fa142.html |url-status=live |magazine=Control Engineering |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506232618/https://www.controleng.com/single-article/monterey-bay-aquarium-reels-in-the-perfect-automation-solution/b2269a7d7862bfaa075c72c2421fa142.html |archive-date=May 6, 2018 |access-date=October 18, 2017}}</ref> The seawater system is controlled by more than 10,000 data points.{{efn|name=Reynolds}}

=== Kelp Forest exhibit ===
At {{convert|28|ft}} tall and {{convert|65|ft}} long, the Kelp Forest exhibit is the focal point of Monterey Bay Aquarium's Ocean's Edge wing.{{efn|{{harvnb|Thomas|2014}}; {{harvnb|Watanabe|Phillips|1985}}}} Nearly three stories high,<!-- Written explicitly using "stories" in Lokken 1985 --> the exhibit is regarded as the first successful attempt to maintain a living [[kelp forest]] in an artificial setting.{{efn|name=Chiang-168|{{harvnb|Chiang|2008|p=168}}}}{{efn|name=Brincks}}<ref name="Pridmore1991">{{cite news |last=Pridmore |first=Jay |date=August 4, 1991 |title=Living Museum: Monterey Aquarium Focuses On Its Nearby Waters |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/08/04/living-museum-2/ |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403211005/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1991-08-04/travel/9103250649_1_monterey-bay-aquarium-kelp-forest-cannery-row |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |access-date=September 21, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Dickey2009">{{cite web |url=http://www.montereyherald.com/article/zz/20090929/NEWS/909299942 |title=Kelp forest gets first-class stamp |last=Dickey |first=Gwyneth |date=September 29, 2009 |work=[[The Monterey County Herald]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921234511/http://www.montereyherald.com/article/zz/20090929/NEWS/909299942 |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |access-date=August 26, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> During the facility's planning and construction, professionals doubted that kelp could be grown in an aquarium at this scale. And, even if it could be grown, critics of the project did not think the public would be interested in seeing this representation of Monterey Bay.{{efn|{{harvnb|"Oceans in Glass"|2006}} (at 9:45): "This is a living kelp forest, and its creation flew in the face of professionals who thought it was a losing proposition. Nobody had ever successfully grown kelp on this scale, but there were also more pressing concerns. The exhibit was intended to recreate a key habitat of the Monterey Bay, and critics scoffed that nobody would be interested. The public rendered its verdict quickly: they were enthralled."}} During the design phase, kelp scientists [[Wheeler North]] at the California Institute of Technology and Mike Neushal at the [[University of California, Santa Barbara]] informed the aquarium of the kelp's needs.{{efn|name=Chiang-168}} The exhibit's success at sustaining giant kelp and its realistic appearance are attributed to the availability of direct sunlight, the use of natural seawater from Monterey Bay, and a surge machine (a large plunger) that replicates California's pulsing water currents.{{efn|{{harvnb|"Oceans in Glass"|2006}}: event occurs at 10:41.}} The {{convert|5|ft|adj=on}} surge machine, which plunges every 6 seconds,{{efn|name=Chiang-168}} allows the kelp in the exhibit to grow an average of {{convert|4|in|cm}} per day and was designed and constructed by David Packard.<ref name="Pridmore1991" />{{efn|name=Watanabe}} Kelp forests are important ecosystems along California's coast—comparable to tropical rainforests in their [[biodiversity]]—<!-- Prior compiled from Pridmore 1991 and Dickey 2009 -->and, alongside [[Macrocystis pyrifera|giant kelp]], the exhibit contains species of fish indigenous to Monterey Bay, including [[Sebastes|rockfishes]] and [[leopard shark]]s.{{efn|name=Gerfen}}

=== Open Sea wing<!-- Links direct to this section from: #Marine life --> ===
In 1996, Monterey Bay Aquarium opened a second wing of aquatic exhibits, focusing on the [[Pelagic zone|pelagic habitats]] found {{convert|60|mi}} offshore in Monterey Bay. Costing US$57 million and taking seven years to develop, the wing almost doubled the aquarium's public exhibit space.{{efn|name=McCabe|{{harvnb|McCabe|1996}}}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/EARTH/9601/monterey_aquarium/ |title=Aquarium's new exhibit offers rare glimpse into the ocean deep |last=Dornin |first=Rusty |date=January 28, 1996 |website=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990202173418/http://www.cnn.com/EARTH/9601/monterey_aquarium/ |archive-date=February 2, 1999 |access-date=September 26, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> It consists of three separate galleries: various [[jellyfish]] and other [[plankton]] found in the bay; a [[pelagic]], large [[Community (ecology)|community]] exhibit; and "ocean travelers", which features [[tufted puffin]]s and sea turtles.{{efn|name=Rogers2011a|{{harvnb|Rogers|2011a}}}} When the exhibition opened, the ''San Francisco Chronicle'' reported the aquarium had the most jellyfish on exhibit in the world.{{efn|name=McCabe-jellyfish|{{harvnb|McCabe|1996}}: "The aquarium holds the largest permanent collection of jellyfish species in the United States and displays more of them than does any other facility in the world."}} In 1997, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums awarded the wing its Exhibit Award.<ref name="bundle_aza_awards" />

[[File:School of sardines at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (12056).jpg|thumb|alt=Visitors look through a very large window into an aquarium containing a school of [[Pacific sardine]]s|The {{convert|1000000|USgal}} Open Sea community exhibit contains a school of Pacific sardines that, in 2011, numbered 14,000 individuals.<ref name="Cooper2011" />]]

Holding {{convert|1.2|e6USgal|L}}, the Open Sea community exhibit is the aquarium's largest tank.{{efn|name=Reynolds}} Made of [[Fibre-reinforced plastic|fiberglass-reinforced plastic]], it is {{convert|80|ft}} long<ref name="waterproofmagazine">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.waterproofmag.com/downloads/2013-10/201310_Monterey_Bay_Aquarium.pdf |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium: New Digitally-Fabricated Aquarium Tank Liner Can Stand the Test of the Giant Tuna |last=Miller |first=Steven H. |date=October 2013 |magazine=Waterproof! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924053414/http://www.waterproofmag.com/downloads/2013-10/201310_Monterey_Bay_Aquarium.pdf |archive-date=September 24, 2016 |access-date=September 23, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> and {{convert|35|feet}} deep.<!-- See Rogers 2011a for depth. --> Its largest viewing window—at {{convert|54|ft}} long and {{convert|14.5|ft}} tall—was reportedly the largest aquarium window in the world when it was installed in 1996.{{efn|name=McCabe}} To discourage animals from swimming into the window in the absence of visitors and injuring or killing themselves (as a {{convert|239|lb|adj=on|disp=sqbr}} [[Pacific bluefin tuna]] did in 2007), an air hose underneath the window generates a "bubble wall" in front of it throughout the night.{{efn|name=Reynolds}} In 2011, species reported to be in the exhibit included [[green sea turtle]]s, sardines, [[pelagic stingray]]s, [[scalloped hammerhead shark]]s, [[sandbar shark]]s, mahi-mahi, [[mackerel]], bluefin and [[yellowfin tuna]]s, and [[ocean sunfish]]es.{{refn|group=note|According to the aquarium, it was the first to display the ocean sunfish in the United States in August 1986. The first sunfish's name was Tweedledum and it ate {{convert|1|lb}} of prawns each day.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mbayaq.org/aa/timelineBrowser.asp?tf=32 |title=Aquarium Timeline – August 1986 – First Mola |publisher=Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511143956/http://www.mbayaq.org/aa/timelineBrowser.asp?tf=32 |archive-date=May 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref>}}{{efn|name=Rogers2011a|{{harvnb|Rogers|2011a}}}}<ref name="Lebourgeois2011">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-xpm-2011-jul-28-la-trb-monterey-bay-open-sea-20110727-story.html |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium's 'Open Sea' focuses on migrations |last=Lebourgeois |first=Benoit |date=July 28, 2011 |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913003434/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/28/news/la-trb-monterey-bay-open-sea-20110727 |archive-date=September 13, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2016 |url-status=live}}<!-- Thomas 2014 for the species of hammerhead --></ref> Historically, the exhibit also included [[blue shark]]s, [[soupfin shark]]s, and [[California barracuda]].{{efn|name=McCabe}} [[#Great white sharks|Six great white sharks were displayed]] in the Open Sea exhibit between 2004 and 2011, an effort contested by some but generally described as having a positive scientific and educational impact. Prior to the display of the first white shark for six months before its release, the longest length of time that a white shark had survived in an aquarium was 16 days.<!-- See #Great white sharks for references related to the previous two sentences. --><ref name="Rogers2011b">{{cite news |last=Rogers |first=Paul |date=September 1, 2011 |title=New great white shark goes on display at Monterey Bay Aquarium |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2011/09/01/new-great-white-shark-goes-on-display-at-monterey-bay-aquarium/ |work=The Mercury News |location=San Jose, California |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926040029/http://www.mercurynews.com/2011/09/01/new-great-white-shark-goes-on-display-at-monterey-bay-aquarium/ |archive-date=September 26, 2016 |access-date=September 25, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|{{harvnb|Squatriglia|2006}}; {{harvnb|Reynolds|2009}}}}

A 10-month, US$19 million renovation of the wing concluded in July 2011 to refurbish the community exhibit.{{refn|group=note|name=pelagicname|The wing's name was changed from "Outer Bay" to "Open Sea" during this renovation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Dennis |date=June 24, 2011 |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium's $19M renovation unveiled |url=http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/article/ZZ/20110624/NEWS/110627891 |work=Santa Cruz Sentinel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628131048/http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/article/ZZ/20110624/NEWS/110627891 |archive-date=June 28, 2017 |access-date=September 26, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>}} Turbulent swimming patterns of {{convert|300|lb|adj=on}} tunas were dismantling the exhibit's structural glass tiles, which the sea turtles were subsequently eating, so the exhibit was drained after all 10,000 animals were caught. Supplemental exhibits were added as part of this renovation featuring artwork that highlights current issues in [[ocean conservation]], including [[overfishing]] and [[marine plastic pollution]].{{efn|name=Rogers2011a}}

=== Other permanent exhibits ===
Monterey Bay Aquarium opened in 1984 with 83 tanks in 12 galleries,{{efn|name=Chiang-165|{{harvnb|Chiang|2008|p=165}}}} which more than doubled by 2014 into 200 live animal exhibits.<ref name="californian_streetview" /> In addition to the large Kelp Forest and Open Sea exhibits, the Monterey Bay Habitats tank is {{convert|90|ft}} long, the shape of a figure eight, and holds over {{convert|300000|USgal|L}}, a similar volume of seawater to the Kelp Forest. As its name suggests, it represents various habitats in Monterey Bay, from [[wharf]]s to the sandy seafloor to deep rocky reefs.{{efn|name=Chiang-165}} Many aquariums in this exhibit contain man-made structures that were left in the bay to accumulate living organisms prior to the aquarium's opening; in Monterey Bay Habitats, real pilings were obtained from the city's harbor department for the exhibit's wharf section. In others, artificial rocks tricked visitors and fish alike. With the aquarium's debut, this "nature-faking" via human manipulation did not trick some, but the {{"'}}fakeness' did not necessarily detract from the aquarium's intrinsic value."{{efn|{{harvnb|Chiang|2008|pp=167–168}}}}

Rescued [[sea otter]]s live in a habitat holding {{convert|55000|USgal|L}}, and are the only marine mammals exhibited.{{efn|name=Chiang-165}} In 2014, the aquarium stated to the ''[[Vancouver Courier]]'' that it takes no official position on the controversy of [[captive killer whales]] or other [[cetacea]]ns. The facility was not constructed to house cetaceans, and instead utilizes the 27 species of [[marine mammal]]s that live in or travel through Monterey Bay as one of its "exhibits", as guests can view the bay and marine mammals from decks along the back of the building.{{efn|name=Thomas|{{harvnb|Thomas|2014}}}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals-and-experiences/exhibits/life-on-the-bay |title=Life on the Bay at the Monterey Bay Aquarium |publisher=Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729184232/http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals-and-experiences/exhibits/life-on-the-bay |archive-date=July 29, 2016 |access-date=September 19, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Monterey Bay Aquarium was the first public aquarium to have its interior mapped on [[Google Street View]], creating a virtual walking tour.<ref name="californian_streetview">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2014/05/21/aquarium-galleries-now-google-maps-street-view/2320242/ |title=Aquarium galleries now on Google Maps Street View |date=May 21, 2014 |work=The Salinas Californian |access-date=January 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120023127/http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2014/05/21/aquarium-galleries-now-google-maps-street-view/2320242/ |archive-date=January 20, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px">
File:Sturgeon in habitats exhibit at Monterey Bay Aquarium.jpg|alt=A long sturgeon swims above anemones in a large aquarium|A [[white sturgeon]], [[rockfish]]es, and [[plumose anemone]]s in the Monterey Bay Habitats exhibit
File:Plumose anemone and other invertebrates at Monterey Bay Aquarium.jpg|alt=An assortment of colorful invertebrates with striking whites, deep reds, and bright purples|Plumose anemones, a [[rock scallop]], a [[bat star]], sponges, and other cold-water invertebrates native to Monterey Bay
File:Shorebirds in the aviary at Monterey Bay Aquarium.jpg|alt=Shorebirds forage in sand and in pools of water|Local [[shorebird]] species in the [[aviary]], which contains man-made sand dunes and marshes{{efn|name=Chiang-165}}
File:Monterey peces 19.JPG|alt=Some colorful fishes swim in front of living corals|Pacific [[coral reef]] community containing living [[coral]]s
File:Spheniscus demersus - Monterey Bay Aquarium - DSC07230.JPG|alt=A penguin poses sideways, looking at the camera|[[African penguin]]s on exhibit
File:Monterey Bay Aquarium Open Sea sardine round.jpg|alt=Visitors stand in a tall room underneath sardines swimming in a circle around them|A circular exhibit at the entrance to the Open Sea wing contains schooling Pacific sardines.
File:Pacific mackerel exhibit at Monterey Bay Aquarium.jpg|alt=A visitor stands in front of a school of Pacific mackerel that are swimming by an aquarium window with a faint blue light|An exhibit demonstrates the streamlined bodies of Pacific mackerel.
File:Children looking at Pacific sea nettles at Monterey Bay Aquarium.jpg|alt=Children look at orange jellyfish in front of a vividly blue background|[[Pacific sea nettle]]s in a long [[Aquarium#Kreisel|kreisel tank]]
<!--File:Mola mola ocean sunfish Monterey Bay Aquarium 2.jpg|alt=Two children sit at an aquarium window directly in front of a large ocean sunfish|A large ocean sunfish in the Open Sea community exhibit-->
</gallery>

=== Temporary exhibitions ===
Monterey Bay Aquarium began creating temporary exhibitions (or "special exhibitions") in the 1980s to display animals that are found outside of Monterey Bay. The first of these, titled "Mexico's Secret Sea", focused on the [[Sea of Cortez]] in 1989.<ref name="McNulty1989" /> Most exhibitions since then have focused on animal groups, including [[Deep sea community|deep-sea animals]] (1999),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-14-tr-17042-story.html |title=Monterey Delves Into 'Mysteries of the Deep' |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=March 14, 1999 |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110031736/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/mar/14/travel/tr-17042 |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |access-date=October 14, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> sharks (2004), otters (2007), seahorses (2009),<ref name="bundle_othertemps" /> [[cephalopod]]s (2014),<ref name="bundle_tentacles" /> and jellyfish. The 1997 "Fishing for Solutions" exhibition led to the development of the sustainable seafood program, [[Seafood Watch]].{{efn|name=Spring-159|{{harvnb|Spring|2018|p=159}}}} In 2010, an exhibition titled "Hot Pink Flamingos" was one of the first aquarium exhibitions in the United States to explicitly discuss the [[effects of global warming]] on habitats and animals.<ref name="hotpinkflams">{{cite web |url=https://thinkprogress.org/why-aquariums-are-obsessed-with-climate-change-86b288f09b8c/ |title=Why Aquariums Are Obsessed With Climate Change |last=Phillips |first=Ari |date=December 11, 2013 |work=[[ThinkProgress]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011221119/https://thinkprogress.org/why-aquariums-are-obsessed-with-climate-change-86b288f09b8c/ |archive-date=October 11, 2017 |access-date=October 11, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Its content was successfully accessible and compelling to the public, but the exhibition was criticized for its narrow "consumerist approach" to [[climate communication|climate change communication]]—promoting individual, marketplace-based actions rather than collective political ones.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Katz-Kimchi |first1=Merav |last2=Atkinson |first2=Lucy |date=2014 |title=Popular Climate Science and Painless Consumer Choices |journal=Science Communication |volume=36 |issue=6 |pages=762, 770 |doi=10.1177/1075547014555998|citeseerx=10.1.1.829.4566 |s2cid=144208370 }}</ref>

At least three exhibitions have been devoted entirely to displaying jellyfish. In 1989, the aquarium's second temporary exhibition, titled "Living Treasures of the Pacific", included three [[jellyfish]] tanks following the successful display of one tank of [[Aurelia (genus)|moon jellies]] four years earlier in 1985. In 1992, the first temporary exhibition for jellyfish opened, called "Planet of the Jellies", the success of which prompted a permanent jellyfish gallery within the Open Sea wing in 1996. Within 20 years of opening Planet of the Jellies, the aquarium created two more temporary exhibitions centered on jellyfish. The final one of the three exhibitions opened in 2012, and displayed around 16 species of jellyfish from around the world in "a psychedelic theme from the 1960s". Staff members attribute the organization's fascination with jellyfish to their visual appeal, primitive biology, and reputed calming effect on visitors.{{efn|{{harvnb|Yollin|2012}}}}

Terrestrial animals were displayed for the first time—including a tarantula, a snake, and a scorpion—in a US$3.8 million exhibit on ecosystems of [[Baja California]] that opened in 2016.<ref name="bajaexhibit">{{cite web |url=http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2016/04/11/monterey-bay-aquarium-takes-a-deep-dive-into-baja-california/ |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium Takes a Deep Dive Into Baja California |last=Yollin |first=Patricia |date=April 11, 2016 |website=[[KQED Inc.|KQED]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412051741/http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2016/04/11/monterey-bay-aquarium-takes-a-deep-dive-into-baja-california |archive-date=April 12, 2016 |access-date=October 11, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2022, a US$15 million, {{convert|10000|sqft|sp=us|adj=on}} exhibit focusing on deep sea animals opened after more than five years of development. The process relied extensively on technology used by [[Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute]] to collect animals nearly {{convert|5000|ft|sp=us}} deep, and required the aquarium to build special tanks that provided freezing temperatures, high acidity, and low oxygen for animals. To lower the oxygen, applied water science staff manipulated a technique used in [[brewing]]. Some animals displayed included glowing jellies, [[giant isopod]]s, [[brisingid]] sea stars, and [[sea angel]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Prillaman |first=McKenzie |date=February 22, 2022 |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium to unveil new 'Into the Deep' exhibition |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/02/22/monterey-bay-aquarium-to-unveil-new-into-the-deep-exhibit/ |work=The Mercury News |location=San Jose, California |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522032833/https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/02/22/monterey-bay-aquarium-to-unveil-new-into-the-deep-exhibit/ |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |access-date=January 4, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/New-Monterey-Bay-Aquarium-exhibit-16911481.php |title=New Monterey Bay Aquarium exhibit to feature deep sea creatures that look out of this world |last=Madrigal-Yankowski |first=Nico |date=February 11, 2022 |work=[[SFGate]] |publisher=Hearst Communications |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522032832/https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/New-Monterey-Bay-Aquarium-exhibit-16911481.php |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |access-date=January 4, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Research and conservation ==
[[File:Purple-striped_jelly_(12118).jpg|thumb|right|alt=A pink-colored jellyfish with purple accents floats sideways in front of a blue background|A purple-striped jelly (''[[Chrysaora colorata]]''), which the aquarium has been recognized for breeding, in the Open Sea wing]]

Monterey Bay Aquarium helped create momentum for the establishment of the [[Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary]] in 1992, one of the largest [[marine protected area]]s in the United States.{{efn|name=Cooper2014|{{harvnb|Cooper|2014}}}}<!-- See NOAA site for size statement: http://montereybay.noaa.gov/intro/welcome.html --> In 2004, the aquarium created a formal division to become involved in United States ocean policy and law, working with [[the Pew Charitable Trusts]] and the [[United States Commission on Ocean Policy]] at the onset.{{efn|name=Spring-160|{{harvnb|Spring|2018|p=160}}}} Staff scientists have authored scientific publications involving sea otters, great white sharks, and bluefin tunas, which are important species in the northern Pacific Ocean.{{efn|name=Spring-159}} In addition to other animals,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mollet |first1=H. F. |last2=Ezcurra |first2=J. M. |last3=O'Sullivan |first3=J. B. |date=2002 |title=Captive biology of the pelagic stingray, ''Dasyatis violacea'' (Bonaparte, 1832) |url=http://www.elasmollet.org/Publications/Molletetal2002PelRayGrowth.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528201211/http://elasmollet.org/Publications/Molletetal2002PelRayGrowth.pdf |archive-date=2016-05-28 |url-status=usurped |journal=Marine and Freshwater Research |volume=53 |issue=2 |pages=531–541 |doi=10.1071/mf01074 |issn=1448-6059}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Widmer |first=Chad L. |date=2005 |title=Effects of temperature on growth of north-east Pacific moon jellyfish ephyrae, ''Aurelia labiata'' (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa) |journal=Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom |volume=85 |issue=3 |pages=569–573 |doi=10.1017/s0025315405011495 |bibcode=2005JMBUK..85..569W |s2cid=85002565 |issn=1469-7769}}</ref> work has been published in the areas of veterinary medicine,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Murray |first=Michael J. |date=2002 |title=Fish Surgery |journal=Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=246–257 |doi=10.1053/saep.2002.126571 }}</ref> visitor studies, and museum exhibition development.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Yalowitz |first=Steven S. |date=2004 |title=Evaluating Visitor Conservation Research at the Monterey Bay Aquarium |journal=Curator: The Museum Journal |volume=47 |issue=3 |pages=283–298 |doi=10.1111/j.2151-6952.2004.tb00126.x |issn=2151-6952}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Fish Stories that Hook Readers: Interpretive Graphics at the Monterey Bay Aquarium |last=Rand |first=Judy |publisher=Center for Social Design |year=1990 |location=Jacksonville, Alabama}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ramberg |first1=Jenny Sayre |last2=Rand |first2=Judy |last3=Tomulonis |first3=Jaci |date=2002 |title=Mission, Message, and Visitors: How Exhibit Philosophy Has Evolved at the Monterey Bay Aquarium |journal=Curator: The Museum Journal |volume=45 |issue=4 |pages=302–320 |doi=10.1111/j.2151-6952.2002.tb00067.x |issn=2151-6952}}</ref> Among over 200 institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Monterey Bay Aquarium ranked 10th in scientific publication activity between 1993 and 2013.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Loh |first1=Tse-Lynn |last2=Larson |first2=Eric R. |last3=David |first3=Solomon R. |last4=Souza |first4=Lesley S. de |last5=Gericke |first5=Rebecca |last6=Gryzbek |first6=Mary |last7=Kough |first7=Andrew S. |last8=Willink |first8=Philip W. |last9=Knapp |first9=Charles R. |display-authors=6 |date=2018 |title=Quantifying the contribution of zoos and aquariums to peer-reviewed scientific research |journal=FACETS |volume=3 |pages=287–299 |doi=10.1139/facets-2017-0083|doi-access=free }}</ref>

For Monterey Bay Aquarium's captive animal [[Captive breeding|propagation]] efforts, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums has granted two awards, including one for the aquarium's work with [[Chrysaora colorata|purple-striped jellies]] in 1992. It has also received the association's general conservation award for its Sea Otter Research and Conservation Program.<ref name="bundle_aza_awards" /> In October 2017, the [[World Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] conferred its Conservation Award to the aquarium for its "commitment to ocean protection and public awareness".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.waza.org/en/site/news-events/news/monterey-bay-aquarium-to-receive-conservation-award |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium to receive Conservation Award |date=September 14, 2017 |publisher=World Association of Zoos and Aquariums |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022213102/http://www.waza.org/en/site/news-events/news/monterey-bay-aquarium-to-receive-conservation-award |archive-date=October 22, 2017 |access-date=October 22, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Marine life ===
[[File:Sea Otters Monterey Bay Aquarium.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Two sea otters rest on their back in front of an aquarium window|Rehabilitated sea otters on exhibit]]

Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program began in 1984 to research and [[Wildlife rehabilitation|rehabilitate]] wild [[southern sea otter]]s. {{As of|2017|10|post=,}} more than 800 individuals had completed the rehabilitation program and researchers have collected data on wild sea otter populations using electronic tags. An otter rescued in 2001 began the program's surrogacy efforts, in which adult female sea otters that have been rehabilitated but cannot be released act as surrogate mothers to stranded sea otter pups. The aquarium was the only sea otter rehabilitation site in California until [[The Marine Mammal Center]] began expanding a program for sea otters in 2017.<ref name="bundle_seaotterrehab" /> Its work with sea otters is featured in the PBS ''Nature'' episode titled "Saving Otter 501", which aired in October 2013.<ref name="bundle_PBS" />

[[Shorebird]]s, such as the threatened [[western snowy plover]], are also rehabilitated and released. Since around 1998, the aquarium has worked with [[Point Blue Conservation Science]] to rescue western snowy plover eggs. The eggs hatch after being artificially [[Egg incubation|incubated]], and are raised until they are independent enough for release. The two organizations released 180 individuals in 2012, and about 100 individuals in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.montereyherald.com/article/zz/20130808/NEWS/130808229 |title=Monterey Bay: Biologists release tiny snowy plovers into the wild |last=Mariana |first=Barrera |date=August 8, 2013 |work=The Monterey County Herald |access-date=January 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123015423/http://www.montereyherald.com/article/zz/20130808/NEWS/130808229 |archive-date=January 23, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The aquarium's endangered [[African penguin]]s are part of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums species survival plan, a program that identifies genetically important birds and allows specific breeding activity to occur. Five chicks have hatched in the penguin colony as of 2014 and some of those have been sent to other accredited institutions.<ref name="Cooper2011">{{cite web |url=http://www.sfgate.com/travel/centralcoasting/article/8-don-t-miss-creatures-at-the-Monterey-Bay-2356880.php#photo-1879907 |title=8 don't-miss creatures at the Monterey Bay Aquarium |last=Cooper |first=Jeanne |date=June 21, 2011 |work=[[SFGate]] |publisher=Hearst Communications |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926045127/http://www.sfgate.com/travel/centralcoasting/article/8-don-t-miss-creatures-at-the-Monterey-Bay-2356880.php#photo-1879907 |archive-date=September 26, 2016 |access-date=September 25, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=June 11, 2014 |title=Penguin hatches at Monterey Bay Aquarium |url=http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/local/2014/06/11/penguin-hatches-monterey-bay-aquarium/10329169/ |work=The Salinas Californian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010043953/http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/local/2014/06/11/penguin-hatches-monterey-bay-aquarium/10329169/ |archive-date=October 10, 2016 |access-date=October 9, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Beginning in June 2007, the aquarium operates a public presentation with its rehabilitated [[Laysan albatross]] that has a wingspan of {{convert|6|ft}}. The program's goal is to inform visitors of the dangers that [[marine plastic pollution|ocean plastic pollution]] causes for animals, especially the 21 species of [[albatross]]es.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/education/article/MONTEREY-The-teaching-albatross-Aquarium-2555057.php |title=MONTEREY / The teaching albatross / Aquarium visitors learn about the dangers of plastics to ocean birds |last=Yollin |first=Patricia |date=June 21, 2007 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231080011/http://www.sfchronicle.com/education/article/MONTEREY-The-teaching-albatross-Aquarium-2555057.php |archive-date=December 31, 2016 |access-date=December 30, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|name=Cooper2014}}

Pacific bluefin and yellowfin tunas have been historically displayed in the [[#Open Sea wing|Open Sea community exhibit]], some reaching more than {{convert|300|lb}}. In 2011, three dozen fishes of the two species were on exhibit.{{efn|name=Rogers2011a}} Prior to opening the Open Sea wing in 1996, the aquarium established the Tuna Research and Conservation Center in 1994 in partnership with Stanford University's [[Hopkins Marine Station]]. Staff scientists and [[Barbara Block]]—professor of marine sciences at Stanford University—have tagged wild Pacific bluefin tunas to study [[Predation|predator-prey]] relationships, and have also investigated [[Tuna#Physiology|tuna endothermy]] with captive tunas at the center.<ref name="bundle_tunaresearch" />{{efn|{{harvnb|"Oceans in Glass"|2006}}: event occurs at 41:20.}} To improve international collaboration of bluefin tuna [[Fisheries management|management]], Monterey Bay Aquarium and Stanford University hosted a symposium in January 2016 in Monterey. Over 200 scientists, fisheries managers, and policy makers gathered to discuss solutions to the [[Pacific bluefin tuna#Conservation status|decline of Pacific bluefin tuna populations]].<ref name="bundle_tunasymposium" />

[[Aquarist]]s also propagate animals behind-the-scenes for the public exhibits. Since 1985, the aquarium has been deeply involved in jellyfish propagation,{{refn|group=note|In 2009, the jellyfish expert at the aquarium expected "three good stings" every week.{{efn|name=Reynolds}}}} creating three temporary exhibitions and one permanent gallery (within the Open Sea wing). The organization's jellyfish collections have been the largest in the world,{{efn|name=McCabe-jellyfish}}{{efn|{{harvnb|"Oceans in Glass"|2006}} (at 5:23): "The jelly collection at the aquarium is the largest in the world."}} and its pioneering work with the animals resulted in a trend of jellyfish exhibitions in the United States.{{efn|{{harvnb|Yollin|2012}}: "The Monterey Bay Aquarium pioneered the display of jellyfish in North America and spawned a trend of jelly exhibits around the United States."}}{{efn|{{harvnb|Reynolds|2009}}: "...&nbsp;and it has pioneered the display of jellyfish and&nbsp;..."}}<ref>{{cite journal |last=Knowles |first=Thomas |date=2016 |title=The History of Jelly Husbandry at the Monterey Bay Aquarium |journal=Der Zoologische Garten |volume=85 |issue=1–2 |pages=42–51 |doi=10.1016/j.zoolgart.2015.09.008 |bibcode=2016DZGar..85...42K }}<!-- Redundantly covers simple historical points, but it's an interesting primary reference. --></ref> In August 2016, aquarists [[Aquaculture|cultured]] [[Ctenophora|comb jellies]] for the first time in a laboratory, which may allow them to become a [[model organism]].<ref name="Yin2016">{{cite news |last=Yin |first=Steph |date=August 11, 2016 |title=Growing Comb Jellies in the Lab Like Sea-Monkeys |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/12/science/growing-comb-jellies-in-the-lab-like-sea-monkeys.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826130356/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/12/science/growing-comb-jellies-in-the-lab-like-sea-monkeys.html?_r=0 |archive-date=August 26, 2016 |access-date=October 23, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Beginning in 2012, the aquarium began to breed many species of [[cephalopod]]s in preparation for a temporary exhibition that opened in 2014. For the duration of the exhibition, half of the animals were cultured because of their short [[Biological life cycle|life cycles]]. A display in the exhibition showcased how aquarists rear different species of cephalopods, including [[bigfin reef squid]], which live for only about six months.<ref name="bundle_tentacles" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Forgione |first=Mary |date=March 25, 2014 |title=Monterey Bay: These cuttlefish, octopus star in aquarium's new show |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trb-california-monterey-aquarium-octopus-20140324-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402043818/http://articles.latimes.com/2014/mar/25/news/la-trb-california-monterey-aquarium-octopus-20140324 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=October 14, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> In partnership with Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, at least two [[deep-sea]] cephalopod species were displayed in the exhibition, including [[flapjack octopus]]es and the [[vampire squid]].<ref name="tentaclesdeepsea">{{cite web |url=https://phys.org/news/2014-06-view-vampire-squid-deep-sea-cephalopods.html |title=Public gets first view of a live vampire squid and other deep-sea cephalopods |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=June 9, 2014 |website=[[Phys.org]] |publisher=Science X |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215101840/https://phys.org/news/2014-06-view-vampire-squid-deep-sea-cephalopods.html |archive-date=February 15, 2017 |access-date=October 14, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Great white sharks<!-- Links direct to this section name from: #Open Sea wing, [[Great white shark]] --> ====
[[File:Great white aqurium.jpg|thumb|right|A juvenile great white shark swims in the aquarium's Open Sea exhibit in 2006.]]

In 1984, Monterey Bay Aquarium's first attempt to display a [[great white shark]] lasted 11 days, ending when the shark died because it did not eat.<ref name="Hopkins2016">{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/08/462455785/great-white-shark-dies-after-just-3-days-in-captivity-at-japan-aquarium |title=Great White Shark Dies After Just 3 Days In Captivity At Japan Aquarium |last=Hopkins |first=Christopher Dean |date=January 8, 2016 |website=NPR |access-date=December 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403122512/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/08/462455785/great-white-shark-dies-after-just-3-days-in-captivity-at-japan-aquarium |archive-date=April 3, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Through a later program named Project White Shark, six white sharks were exhibited between 2004 and 2011 in the Open Sea community exhibit,{{efn|name=Cooper2014}} which was constructed in the 1990s. Researchers at universities in California attributed the aquarium's success at exhibiting white sharks to the use of a {{convert|4|e6USgal|L|adj=on}} [[Aquaculture of salmonids#Sea cages|net pen]], which gave the sharks time to recover from capture prior to transport. A {{convert|3200|USgal|L|adj=on}} portable tank used to transport the fish to the exhibit allowed the sharks to swim continuously, which they must do [[Shark#Respiration|in order to respire]].{{efn|name=Squatriglia2006|{{harvnb|Squatriglia|2006}}}}<ref name="Rogers2011b" /> These endeavors led to the first instance of a white shark eating in an aquarium.{{efn|{{harvnb|"Oceans in Glass"|2006}}: event occurs at 24:21.}}

At least one organization—the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation based in [[Santa Cruz, California]]—criticized the aquarium for attempting to keep white sharks in captivity, questioning the significance of possible scientific research and the ability to educate visitors.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/03/14/captive-great-white-kills-2-sharks/ |title=Captive great white kills 2 sharks |last1=Speizer |first1=Irwin |last2=Cone |first2=Marla |date=March 14, 2005 |website=Chicago Tribune |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321182901/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-03-14/news/0503140208_1_white-shark-aquarium-officials-soupfin |archive-date=March 21, 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=2018-03-11}}</ref> However, several independent biologists expressed approval for Project White Shark because of its logistical design, educational impact, and scientific insights. Regarding its educational impact, a white shark researcher from Australia stated in 2006 that "the fact people can come and see these animals and learn from them is of immeasurable value."{{efn|name=Squatriglia2006}} The first captive white shark—on exhibit in 2004 for more than six months—was seen by one million visitors, and another million visitors saw either the second or third white sharks on display.<ref name="sfchronicle_2008">{{cite news |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/article/Aquarium-shark-sighting-lets-fish-lovers-refocus-3196963.php |title=Aquarium shark sighting lets fish lovers refocus their fears |last=Stienstra |first=Tom |date=August 31, 2008 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231075556/http://www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/article/Aquarium-shark-sighting-lets-fish-lovers-refocus-3196963.php |archive-date=December 31, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 198 days, the first white shark grew more than {{convert|17|in|cm}} and gained over {{convert|100|lbs}} prior to its release.{{efn|{{harvnb|"Oceans in Glass"|2006}}: event occurs at 49:40.}} {{As of|2016|post=,}} Monterey Bay Aquarium is the only public aquarium in the world to have successfully exhibited a white shark for longer than 16 days.{{efn|{{harvnb|Fong|Lee|2016}}}}<!-- Also corroborated in Reynolds 2009 and Squatriglia 2006 --><ref>{{cite news |last=Squatriglia |first=Chuck |date=January 17, 2007 |title=Monterey / More room to grow / Aquarium lets young white shark go after 137 days in captivity |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/MONTEREY-More-room-to-grow-Aquarium-lets-2656118.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123212412/http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/MONTEREY-More-room-to-grow-Aquarium-lets-2656118.php |archive-date=November 23, 2016 |access-date=October 5, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The effort to display captive white sharks ended in 2011 due to the project's high [[resource intensity]]. Captive white sharks also incurred injuries and killed other animals in the exhibit after becoming increasingly aggressive,{{efn|{{harvnb|Fong|Lee|2016}}; {{harvnb|Squatriglia|2006}}}} and the final shark died for unknown reasons immediately following its release.<ref name="Hopkins2016" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Forgione |first=Mary |date=November 3, 2011 |title=Great white shark dies after release from Monterey Bay Aquarium |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-xpm-2011-nov-03-la-trb-shark-monterey-aquarium-20111103-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504121037/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/03/news/la-trb-shark-monterey-aquarium-20111103 |archive-date=May 4, 2016 |access-date=October 14, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Although no longer on exhibit for the public, aquarium researchers have continued to conduct research on white sharks. Collaborating with Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in June 2016, staff scientists created cameras attached to harmless [[dorsal fin]] tags in an attempt to study the behavior of white sharks during their gathering known as the [[White Shark Café]].<ref name="slate_2016">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2016/07/why_do_great_white_sharks_converge_on_a_mysterious_point_in_the_pacific.html |title=New Camera Tag to Help Solve Great White Mystery |last=Becker |first=Rachel |date=July 2, 2016 |magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830080853/http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2016/07/why_do_great_white_sharks_converge_on_a_mysterious_point_in_the_pacific.html |archive-date=August 30, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ksbw_2016">{{cite web |url=http://www.ksbw.com/article/monterey-researchers-hope-to-solve-great-white-shark-mystery/1297505 |title=Monterey researchers hope to solve great white shark mystery |date=June 29, 2016 |website=[[KSBW]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014023620/http://www.ksbw.com/article/monterey-researchers-hope-to-solve-great-white-shark-mystery/1297505 |archive-date=October 14, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Seafood program ===
{{further|Seafood Watch}}

Monterey Bay Aquarium's [[consumer]]-based Seafood Watch program encourages [[sustainable seafood]] purchasing from [[Fishery|fisheries]] that are "well managed and caught or farmed in ways that cause little harm to habitats or other wildlife."<ref>{{cite news |last=Hiolski |first=Emma |date=October 5, 2016 |title=Carmel woman to be honored by White House |url=http://www.montereyherald.com/article/NF/20161005/NEWS/161009807 |work=The Monterey County Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209150222/http://www.montereyherald.com/article/NF/20161005/NEWS/161009807 |archive-date=December 9, 2016 |access-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> It began in 1999 as a result of a popular component of a temporary exhibition and has grown to consist of a website, six regional pocket guides, and mobile apps that allow consumers to check the [[sustainability]] ratings of specific fisheries. The program has expanded to include business collaborations, local and national restaurant and grocer partnerships, and outreach partnerships—primarily other public aquariums and zoos. Large-scale business and grocer affiliations include [[Aramark]], [[Compass Group]], [[Target Corporation|Target]], and [[Whole Foods Market]].<ref name="bundle_seafoodpartners" /> In both 2009 and 2015, Seafood Watch was reportedly playing an influential role in the discussion regarding seafood sustainability.{{efn|name=Parsons|{{harvnb|Parsons|2015}}}}{{efn|{{harvnb|Reynolds|2009}}: "with its advice on what seafoods consumers should eat and chefs should serve, the aquarium has taken an influential role in the debate over sustainable fishing practices."}} According to the aquarium, the program's efficacy is driven by its work with both businesses and consumers, and is supported by the organization's expanding science and ocean policy programs.{{efn|{{harvnb|Spring|2018|pp=159, 161–162}}}}

In the late 2000s, Seafood Watch was likely the most known and most widely distributed sustainable seafood guide out of around 200 internationally.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Roheim |first=Cathy A. |date=2009 |title=An Evaluation of Sustainable Seafood Guides: Implications for Environmental Groups and the Seafood Industry |url=http://cels.uri.edu/urissi/docs/08%20ROHEIM%20THAL%2024-3.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://cels.uri.edu/urissi/docs/08%20ROHEIM%20THAL%2024-3.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |journal=Marine Resource Economics |volume=24 |issue=3 |pages=301–302|doi=10.1086/mre.24.3.42629657 |s2cid=224800329 }}</ref> By 2014, fifteen years after its inception, the program had produced more than 52 million printed pocket guides. Its mobile apps were downloaded over one million times between 2009 and 2015.{{efn|name=Parsons}} In 2003, the program's website was granted a MUSE Award from the [[American Alliance of Museums]] for use of media and technology in science. [[Bon Appétit|''Bon Appétit'' magazine]] awarded its Tastemaker of the Year award to Seafood Watch in 2008 and, in 2013, [[Sunset (magazine)|''Sunset'' magazine]] described it as one of "the most effective consumer-awareness programs".<ref name="bundle_seafoodawards" /><ref name="Fish2013" />

In September 2016, the [[United States Agency for International Development]] announced it was cooperating with the aquarium to improve [[fisheries management]] in the [[Asia-Pacific]].<ref name="usaid_2016">{{cite web |url=https://2012-2017.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/sep-12-2016-usaid-partners-monterey-bay-aquarium-combat-illegal-fishing |title=USAID Partners with Monterey Bay Aquarium to Combat Illegal Fishing and Promote Sustainable Fisheries in Southeast Asia |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=September 12, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Agency for International Development]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925002942/http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/sep-12-2016-usaid-partners-monterey-bay-aquarium-combat-illegal-fishing |archive-date=September 25, 2016 |access-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Political advocacy ===
Monterey Bay Aquarium plays an active role in federal and state politics, from sponsoring governmental legislation about the ocean<ref name="AB 2139">{{cite web |url=http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/15-16/bill/asm/ab_2101-2150/ab_2139_cfa_20160627_172436_sen_comm.html |title=AB 2139 Assembly Bill – Bill Analysis |date=June 20, 2016 |publisher=Legislative Counsel Bureau (California State Legislature) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223073857/http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/15-16/bill/asm/ab_2101-2150/ab_2139_cfa_20160627_172436_sen_comm.html |archive-date=December 23, 2016 |access-date=October 12, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> to persuading voter action from its visitors and online followers. The aquarium was a leading sponsor for the [[Shark finning#United States|statewide shark fin ban]] in 2011.{{efn|name=Rogers2011a}} After the ban's success its efforts shifted to focus on marine plastic pollution,<ref name="Fish2013">{{cite magazine |last=Fish |first=Peter |date=July 2013 |title=Monterey Bay's ecological renaissance |url=http://www.sunset.com/travel/california/moneterey-bay-aquarium?print= |magazine=[[Sunset (magazine)|Sunset]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930183234/http://www.sunset.com/travel/california/moneterey-bay-aquarium?print= |archive-date=September 30, 2015 |access-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> supporting successful legislation which restricted the use of [[microbead]]s in personal care products.{{efn|name=Spring-164|{{harvnb|Spring|2018|p=164}}}} In support of [[California Proposition 67 (2016)]], the organization produced advertisements, web pages, and podcasts in favor of a statewide ban on [[Disposable|single-use]] plastic grocery bags.<ref name="bundle_plastics" /> The aquarium is a founding member of a partnership between 20 public aquariums for collaborating on policy-based conservation efforts. This partnership, called the Aquarium Conservation Partnership, hosted a plastic pollution conference at Monterey Bay Aquarium in December 2016.<ref name="plasticpollsymp">{{Cite web |url=http://www.coexploration.org/gose/pdf/2016/GOSE_2016_Workshop_Report_FINAL.pdf |title=2016 Global Ocean Science Education Workshop |date=June 13–15, 2016 |publisher=The College of Exploration |page=36 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012171439/http://www.coexploration.org/gose/pdf/2016/GOSE_2016_Workshop_Report_FINAL.pdf |archive-date=October 12, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=October 12, 2017}}</ref> In July 2017, the aquarium and other members of the partnership began eliminating their own plastic products, such as plastic bags, straws, and bottles.<ref name="Rogers2017">{{cite news |last=Rogers |first=Paul |date=July 10, 2017 |title=Plastic to be phased out at major American aquariums |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/07/10/plastic-to-be-phased-out-at-19-major-american-aquariums/amp/ |work=The Mercury News |location=San Jose, California |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102154157/http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/07/10/plastic-to-be-phased-out-at-19-major-american-aquariums/amp/ |archive-date=November 2, 2017 |access-date=November 2, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The aquarium is a founding partner of [[the Ocean Project]], which conducts national public opinion surveys about aquariums and environmental issues.{{efn|{{harvnb|Spring|2018|pp=162–163}}}} And, along with Stanford University, it runs an organization involved in ocean science, policy, and law called the Center for Ocean Solutions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://woods.stanford.edu/research/centers-programs/center-ocean-solutions |title=Center for Ocean Solutions |publisher=Stanford University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911084001/https://woods.stanford.edu/research/centers-programs/center-ocean-solutions |archive-date=September 11, 2017 |access-date=October 12, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.stanford.edu/2016/12/20/unexamined-risks-tar-sands-oil-may-threaten-north-americas-oceans/ |title=Unexamined risks from tar sands oil may threaten oceans |last=Jordan |first=Rob |date=December 20, 2016 |publisher=Stanford University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010172655/https://news.stanford.edu/2016/12/20/unexamined-risks-tar-sands-oil-may-threaten-north-americas-oceans/ |archive-date=October 10, 2017 |access-date=October 12, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The aquarium has participated in several international conferences that focus on ocean policy, including the [[2017 United Nations Ocean Conference]].{{efn|name=Spring-160|{{harvnb|Spring|2018|p=160}}}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/26187Monterey_Bay_Aquarium_Statement_to_UN_09June2017.pdf |title=Statement of The Monterey Bay Aquarium to the United Nations Ocean Conference |date=June 9, 2017 |website=Division for Sustainable Development |publisher=[[United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125185755/https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/26187Monterey_Bay_Aquarium_Statement_to_UN_09June2017.pdf |archive-date=January 25, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=January 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/23166Monterey%20Bay%20Aquarium%20Statement%20to%20UN%20Ocean%20Prep%20Meeting%2002.16.17.pdf |title=Statement of the Monterey Bay Aquarium: UN SDG 14 Preparatory Conference, New York |last=Spring |first=Margaret |date=February 16, 2017 |website=Division for Sustainable Development |publisher=United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505183043/https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/23166Monterey%20Bay%20Aquarium%20Statement%20to%20UN%20Ocean%20Prep%20Meeting%2002.16.17.pdf |archive-date=May 5, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=January 25, 2018}}</ref> In March 2017, Monterey Bay Aquarium publicly endorsed the [[March for Science]]—a series of rallies and marches that occurred around the world on Earth Day the following April—and its penguins marched in their own miniature demonstration.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/updated-some-100-groups-have-now-endorsed-march-science |title=Updated: Some 100 groups have now endorsed the March for Science |last=Wessel |first=Lindzi |date=March 15, 2017 |work=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |access-date=January 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211075338/http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/03/updated-some-100-groups-have-now-endorsed-march-science |archive-date=December 11, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/330055-penguins-hold-their-own-science-march-of-the-penguins/ |title=Penguins hold their own Science March of the Penguins |last=Seipel |first=Brooke |date=April 22, 2017 |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |location=Washington, D.C. |access-date=January 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709051305/http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/330055-penguins-hold-their-own-science-march-of-the-penguins |archive-date=July 9, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Educational efforts ==
Each year approximately 75,000 students, teachers, and chaperones from California access Monterey Bay Aquarium for free. An additional 1,500 low-income students, 350 teenagers, and 1,200 teachers participate in structured educational programs throughout the year. Between 1984 and 2014, the aquarium hosted more than 2 million students.{{efn|name=Cooper2014}} In 2009, the aquarium and others collaborated to create an online resource called "Climate Interpreter", which is used by other zoological institutions, government agencies, and academic institutions to share materials for interpreting [[Global warming|climate change]] to the public.{{efn|name=Spring-158|{{harvnb|Spring|2018|p=158}}}}

The Bechtel Family Center for Ocean Education and Leadership, a {{convert|13000|sqft|sp=us|adj=on|m2}} facility, was proposed in 2018 with an initial estimated construction cost of US$30 million. <ref name="Mayberry2016">{{cite news |last=Mayberry |first=Carly |date=February 19, 2016 |title=Plans for Monterey Bay Aquarium's new $30 million education center underway |url=http://www.montereyherald.com/social-affairs/20160219/plans-for-monterey-bay-aquariums-new-30-million-education-center-underway |work=[[The Monterey County Herald]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220233822/http://www.montereyherald.com/social-affairs/20160219/plans-for-monterey-bay-aquariums-new-30-million-education-center-underway |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=August 6, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Upon completion, the total cost rose to US$42 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 May 2019 |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium Opens Bechtel Family Center for Ocean Education and Leadership |url=https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/newsroom/press-releases/monterey-bay-aquarium-opens-bechtel-family-center-for-ocean-education-and-leadership |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=www.montereybayaquarium.org}}</ref> The center has doubled the number of students and teachers the aquarium can serve annually. Monterey Bay Aquarium received a [[Webby Award]] in 2000 for "distributing information related to scientific exploration"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2000/web/general-website/science/monterey-bay-aquarium/ |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium The Webby Awards |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2000 |website=The Webby Awards |publisher=International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013044847/http://webbyawards.com/winners/2000/web/general-website/science/monterey-bay-aquarium/ |archive-date=October 13, 2016 |access-date=August 6, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> and has won four awards from the [[Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] for its programs in the categories of education and [[Diversity (politics)|diversity]].<ref name="bundle_aza_awards" /> In 2015, the ''[[Silicon Valley Business Journal]]'' awarded the aquarium with a Community Impact Award for its efforts to "shape a new generation of ocean conservation leaders."{{efn|name=Stock|{{harvnb|Stock|2015}}}}

== Community and economic influence ==
[[File:Cannery_Row_1,_Monterey,_CA,_jjron_24.03.2012.jpg|thumb|alt=Tourist shops and historical remnants of the sardine canning industry line both sides of Cannery Row, which is busy even though it is raining. Two bridges that are labeled with the company names of defunct sardine canneries stretch over the street, connecting buildings on either side.|The aquarium revitalized Monterey's [[Cannery Row]] when it opened in 1984, following the decline of the [[Sardine#History of sardine fishing in the United States|sardine canning industry]] in the United States.{{efn|{{harvnb|Duggan|2013}}: "The area went into decline until the 1984 opening of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which brought new life to Cannery Row."}}]]

Monterey Bay Aquarium employed over 500 people and had 1,200 active volunteers in 2015.{{efn|name=Beadle}} Between 1984 and 2014, 8,500 volunteers donated 3.2 million [[community service]] hours.{{efn|name=Cooper2014}} The aquarium attracts around 2 million visitors each year<!-- Stock 2015 --> and, through 2016, over 50 million people had visited.{{efn|name=Gerfen}} Out of the 51 accredited public aquariums in the United States in 2015, Monterey Bay Aquarium's 2.08 million visitors ranked it second by number of visits, behind [[Georgia Aquarium]]'s 2.2 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2016/08/02/aquariumside/aeNq1fhIiUd3i2vZlQ6RZJ/story.html |title=Top aquariums in the US, in terms of visitors |last=Abel |first=David |date=August 2, 2016 |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=August 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013014211/https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2016/08/02/aquariumside/aeNq1fhIiUd3i2vZlQ6RZJ/story.html |archive-date=October 13, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, it served 290,000 annual members.{{efn|name=Stock}}

Free admission programs are offered for [[Monterey County, California|Monterey County]] residents including "Shelf to Shore", with the county's free library system, and "Free to Learn", with local nonprofit organizations and [[Monterey–Salinas Transit]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/library/AquariumPassProgram.html |title=Shelf-to-Shore Aquarium Pass Program |date=April 28, 2017 |publisher=Monterey County Free Libraries |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828083314/http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/library/AquariumPassProgram.html |archive-date=August 28, 2016 |access-date=August 6, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2015/04/05/mst-aquarium-program-going-swimmingly/25341497/ |title=MST-Aquarium program going swimmingly |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=April 5, 2015 |work=The Salinas Californian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807212753/http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2015/04/05/mst-aquarium-program-going-swimmingly/25341497/ |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |access-date=August 6, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, the aquarium offers free admission to Monterey County residents during a weeklong event in December, which grew from almost 17,000 visitors in 1998 to 50,000 visitors in 2013. In 2014, the program was expanded to include neighboring [[Santa Cruz County, California|Santa Cruz]] and [[San Benito County, California|San Benito]] counties.<ref>{{cite news |last=Villa |first=Juan |date=December 5, 2014 |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium: Making waves for 30 years |url=http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2014/12/05/monterey-bay-aquarium-making-waves-years/19969715/ |work=The Salinas Californian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827030355/http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2014/12/05/monterey-bay-aquarium-making-waves-years/19969715/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin= |archive-date=August 27, 2016 |access-date=August 6, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> An annual event called "Día del Niño" offers bilingual feeding presentations (in Spanish), activities, and free admission for children under the age of 13.<ref name="californian_diadelnino">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=April 6, 2015 |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium sets Día del Niño for April 26 |url=http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/local/2015/04/06/monterey-bay-aquarium-sets-da-del-nio-april/25374379/ |work=The Salinas Californian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118214335/http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/local/2015/04/06/monterey-bay-aquarium-sets-da-del-nio-april/25374379/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin= |archive-date=January 18, 2018 |access-date=October 12, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Between 2002 and 2014, over 700,000 people visited for free through outreach programs.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2014/12/05/aquariums-outreach-programs-make-splash/19973705/ |title=Aquarium's outreach programs make a splash |last=Klein |first=Kerry |date=December 5, 2014 |work=The Salinas Californian |access-date=March 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328162001/https://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2014/12/05/aquariums-outreach-programs-make-splash/19973705/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin= |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, the aquarium's operational spending and its 2 million visitors generated US$263 million to the economy of Monterey County.{{efn|name=Beadle}} In August 2016, an event during one evening raised over US$110,000 for the Community Foundation for Monterey County's drive to provide relief for the [[Soberanes Fire]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/life/2016/08/08/fire-benefits-bring-nearly/88436882/ |title=Fire benefits on Sunday bring in nearly $180,000 |last=Truskot |first=Joe |date=August 8, 2016 |work=The Salinas Californian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811022918/http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/life/2016/08/08/fire-benefits-bring-nearly/88436882/ |archive-date=August 11, 2016 |access-date=August 7, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2020, [[Natividad Medical Center]] in Salinas was loaned a deep-freeze fridge from the Aquarium in order to allow the hospital to store the [[Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine]] at -94 degrees Fahrenheit. Normally the aquarium uses the freezer for preserving "biological and veterinary samples". Prior to the loan, the hospital had planned on keeping the vaccine on dry ice which would have meant changing the dry ice every five days.<ref name="MBA freezer">{{cite web |last1=Szydlowski |first1=Joe |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium helps keep Natividad's COVID-19 vaccines on ice |url=https://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2020/12/29/monterey-bay-aquarium-helps-keep-natividads-covid-19-vaccines-ice |website=thecalifornian.com |publisher=Salinas Californian |access-date=1 January 2021}}</ref> Due to the aquarium's closure during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], between April 2020 and January 2021 a total of 243 staff were laid off or furloughed.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Duan|first=Mary|title=Updated: Monterey Bay Aquarium looks to layoffs in the face of massive economic loss.|url=https://www.montereycountyweekly.com/blogs/updated-monterey-bay-aquarium-looks-to-layoffs-in-the-face-of-massive-economic-loss/article_c4348572-802a-11ea-9744-e7b3f411b46f.html|access-date=2021-01-08|website=Monterey County Weekly|date=April 16, 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Rubin|first=Sara|title=More layoffs announced at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, for a 40-percent reduction in workforce.|url=https://www.montereycountyweekly.com/blogs/news_blog/more-layoffs-announced-at-the-monterey-bay-aquarium-for-a-40-percent-reduction-in-workforce/article_af37d80a-5071-11eb-ac22-93817b54334a.html|access-date=2021-01-08|website=Monterey County Weekly|date=January 6, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

== In media and popular culture ==
Monterey Bay Aquarium has been featured in two documentaries on the wildlife television program [[Nature (TV series)|''Nature'']]; filmmakers were given behind-the-scenes access for "Oceans in Glass" in 2006, and "Saving Otter 501" followed the aquarium's sea otter rehabilitation program in 2013.<ref name="bundle_PBS" /> It also heavily supported and was featured in [[BBC]]'s ''Big Blue Live'', a 2015 live television miniseries about Monterey Bay that won a [[British Academy Television Awards|BAFTA TV Award]] in 2016.<ref name="bundle_BBC" /> The aquarium served as the filming location for the fictitious Cetacean Institute in the 1986 film ''[[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home#Filming|Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home]]''.<ref>{{cite video|people=[[Leonard Nimoy|Nimoy, Leonard]]; [[William Shatner]]|date=March 4, 2003|title=Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Special Collector's Edition: Audio commentary |publisher=[[Paramount Pictures]]|medium=DVD, disc 1/2}}</ref> In the 2016 [[Disney]]/[[Pixar]] animated film ''[[Finding Dory]]'', the aquarium inspired the design of the fish hospital that the characters visit, and its animals served as models for the film's animated characters.<ref name="findingdory">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pixar-draws-inspiration-from-monterey-bay-aquarium-for-finding-nemo-sequel-finding-dory/ |title=A look at Pixar's real life inspiration for 'Finding Dory' |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=June 18, 2016 |website=[[CBS News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821102453/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pixar-draws-inspiration-from-monterey-bay-aquarium-for-finding-nemo-sequel-finding-dory/ |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |access-date=August 21, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> A scene from the HBO miniseries ''[[Big Little Lies (miniseries)|Big Little Lies]]'', which aired in 2017, was filmed there.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fernandes |first=Marriska |date=July 31, 2017 |title=A tour of HBO's Big Little Lies filming locations in Monterey |url=https://www.tribute.ca/news/a-tour-of-hbos-big-little-lies-filming-locations-in-monterey/2017/07/31/ |magazine=Tribute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801005215/https://www.tribute.ca/news/a-tour-of-hbos-big-little-lies-filming-locations-in-monterey/2017/07/31/ |archive-date=August 1, 2017 |access-date=October 17, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

After comparing the aquarium's visitor feedback to the feedback of other attractions, the media and the travel industry have given it top awards. In 2014, [[TripAdvisor]] ranked it as the number one public aquarium in the world and, in 2015, it ranked second.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/05/travel/tripadvisor-best-zoos/index.html |title=And the world's best zoo is ... |last=Thompson |first=Chuck |date=August 13, 2014 |website=[[CNN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804031354/http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/05/travel/tripadvisor-best-zoos/index.html |archive-date=August 4, 2016 |access-date=October 12, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2015/07/15/tripadvisor-best-amusement-parks-zoos-aquariums/30176163/ |title=TripAdvisor: Best amusement parks, zoos and aquariums |last=Trejos |first=Nancy |date=July 15, 2015 |work=[[USA Today]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918231913/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2015/07/15/tripadvisor-best-amusement-parks-zoos-aquariums/30176163/ |archive-date=September 18, 2015 |access-date=March 22, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, it was listed by [[Parents (magazine)|''Parents'' magazine]] as the top public aquarium in the United States and the highest rated destination on the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/ideas/familyfun-annual-travel-awards/#page=3 |title=The FamilyFun Travel Awards |last=Pfaff |first=Leslie Garisto |date=April 2015 |magazine=[[Parents (magazine)|Parents]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119082111/http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/ideas/familyfun-annual-travel-awards/#page=3 |archive-date=November 19, 2015 |access-date=January 6, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Frommer's]] travel guide lists Monterey Bay Aquarium as "exceptional", the highest rating on its three-tier system.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.frommers.com/destinations/monterey/attractions/monterey-bay-aquarium |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium |website=Frommer's |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322213442/https://www.frommers.com/destinations/monterey/attractions/monterey-bay-aquarium |archive-date=March 22, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=March 22, 2018}}</ref>

Each year, since 2019, content creator [[DougDoug]] has held a [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] [[livestream]] on the birthday of Monterey Bay Aquarium's oldest sea otter, [[Rosa (sea otter)|Rosa]]. The livestreams have raised a significant amount of money for the aquarium and, as of 2024, DougDoug and his community have raised over $1,000,000 for the Monterey Bay Aquarium.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/sea-otter-awareness-week |access-date=September 21, 2024 |website=Monterey Bay Aquarium |title=Sea Otter Awareness Week}}</ref>

== Notes and references ==
=== Notes ===
{{reflist|group=note}}

=== Footnotes ===
{{notelist}}

=== References ===
{{reflist|2|refs=<!-- BUNDLED CITATIONS -->
<!-- LEAD/GLOBAL -->
<ref name="bundle_aza_awards">[[Association of Zoos and Aquariums|AZA]] award pages:
*{{cite web |url=http://www.aza.org/exhibit-award |title=About the Exhibit Award |publisher=[[Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504020336/http://www.aza.org/exhibit-award/ |archive-date=May 4, 2016 |access-date=September 19, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*Propagation: {{cite web |url=http://www.aza.org/edward-h-bean-award |title=About the Edward H. Bean Award |publisher=Association of Zoos and Aquariums |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926060515/http://www.aza.org/edward-h-bean-award |archive-date=September 26, 2016 |access-date=September 25, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.aza.org/north-american-conservation-award |title=About the North American Conservation Award |publisher=Association of Zoos and Aquariums |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190917/https://www.aza.org/north-american-conservation-award/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=October 21, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.aza.org/education-award |title=About the Education Award |publisher=Association of Zoos and Aquariums |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128224330/https://www.aza.org/education-award |archive-date=January 28, 2017 |access-date=August 6, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.aza.org/angela-peterson-excellence-in-diversity-award |title=About the Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award |publisher=Association of Zoos and Aquariums |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915000053/https://www.aza.org/angela-peterson-excellence-in-diversity-award |archive-date=September 15, 2016 |access-date=August 6, 2017 |url-status=live}}
</ref>
<!-- AQUARIUM EXHIBITS -->
<ref name="bundle_othertemps">Other temporary exhibitions:
*{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=March 28, 2004 |title=More to sharks than 'Jaws' at Monterey Bay {{sic|nolink=y|Mus|eym|expecting=Museum}} |url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/03/28/liv_410247.shtml |work=The Augusta Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011215054/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/03/28/liv_410247.shtml |archive-date=October 11, 2017 |access-date=October 11, 2017 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news |last=Yollin |first=Patricia |date=March 30, 2007 |title=Monterey / They're otter(ly) irresistible / Playful mammals' fans thrilled by new exhibit at aquarium |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/MONTEREY-They-re-otter-ly-irresistible-2605732.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007231140/http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/MONTEREY-They-re-otter-ly-irresistible-2605732.php |archive-date=October 7, 2017 |access-date=October 11, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last=Yollin |first=Patricia |date=April 10, 2009 |title=Sea horse fun facts Sea horses bump jellyfish at Monterey aquarium |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/Sea-horse-fun-facts-Sea-horses-bump-jellyfish-3245465.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011204012/http://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/Sea-horse-fun-facts-Sea-horses-bump-jellyfish-3245465.php |archive-date=October 11, 2017 |access-date=October 11, 2017 |url-status=live}}
</ref>
<ref name="bundle_tentacles">Tentacles temporary exhibition:
*{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Mark |date=April 10, 2014 |title=Superhero squid, plus giant octopi, stumpy cuttlefish and the wunderpus, all at the Aquarium's new Tentacles. |url=http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/831_tales/superhero-squid-plus-giant-octopi-stumpy-cuttlefish-and-the-wunderpus/article_5bada36a-c025-11e3-bb8d-0017a43b2370.html |work=Monterey County Weekly |location=Seaside, California |access-date=October 11, 2017 }}
*{{cite news |last=Yollin |first=Patricia |date=May 15, 2014 |title=Mysterious creatures of Monterey Bay Aquarium's 'Tentacles' |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/Mysterious-creatures-of-Monterey-Bay-Aquarium-s-5482321.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008015713/http://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/Mysterious-creatures-of-Monterey-Bay-Aquarium-s-5482321.php |archive-date=October 8, 2017 |access-date=October 11, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last=Nordstrand |first=Dave |date=April 11, 2014 |title=Aquarium opens 'Tentacles' |url=http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/life/2014/04/12/aquarium-opens-tentacles/7578301/ |work=[[The Salinas Californian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019235513/http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/life/2014/04/12/aquarium-opens-tentacles/7578301/ |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |access-date=October 11, 2017 |url-status=live}}
</ref>
<!-- RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION -->
<ref name="bundle_seaotterrehab">Sea otter rehabilitation:
*{{cite news |last=Graff |first=Amy |date=October 26, 2017 |title=Otter returns to wild as Marine Mammal Center ramps up efforts to heal endangered species |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Rescued-Sea-Otter-named-Yankee-Doodle-released-12302739.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102160626/http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Rescued-Sea-Otter-named-Yankee-Doodle-released-12302739.php |archive-date=November 2, 2017 |access-date=November 2, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last=Dixon |first=Laura |date=March 3, 2012 |title=Historic Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otter Dies |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Historic-Monterey-Bay-Aquarium-Sea-Otter-Dies-141329673.html |website=NBC Bay Area |location=San Jose, California |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205062840/https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Historic-Monterey-Bay-Aquarium-Sea-Otter-Dies-141329673.html |archive-date=December 5, 2012 |access-date=November 2, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20170619-conservation-success-for-otters-on-the-brink |title=Conservation success for otters on the brink |last=Coles |first=Jeremy |date=June 20, 2017 |website=[[BBC Earth]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717075931/http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20170619-conservation-success-for-otters-on-the-brink |archive-date=July 17, 2017 |access-date=November 2, 2017 |url-status=live}}
</ref>
<ref name="bundle_tunaresearch">Research efforts with the bluefin tuna:
*{{cite web |url=http://news.stanford.edu/2015/09/25/bluefin-hot-spots-092515/ |title=Stanford scientists help discover Pacific bluefin tunas' favorite feeding spots |last=Carey |first=Bjorn |date=September 25, 2015 |publisher=[[Stanford University]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013201235/http://news.stanford.edu/2015/09/25/bluefin-hot-spots-092515/ |archive-date=October 13, 2016 |access-date=October 14, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/02/23/west-coast-scientists-fishing-for-solutions-to-blue-fin-tuna-overfishing/ |title=West Coast Scientists Fishing For Solutions To Bluefin Tuna Overfishing |last=Martin |first=Allen |date=February 23, 2015 |website=[[KPIX-TV]] |publisher=[[CBS]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401062612/http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/02/23/west-coast-scientists-fishing-for-solutions-to-blue-fin-tuna-overfishing/ |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |access-date=October 14, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/after-deepwater-oil-spill-once-speedy-tuna-no-longer-make-the-grade/2014/03/24/4d2e2d78-b378-11e3-b899-20667de76985_story.html |title=Deepwater Horizon oil left tuna, other species with heart defects likely to prove fatal |last=Fears |first=Darryl |date=March 24, 2014 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007002110/http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/after-deepwater-oil-spill-once-speedy-tuna-no-longer-make-the-grade/2014/03/24/4d2e2d78-b378-11e3-b899-20667de76985_story.html |archive-date=October 7, 2015 |access-date=October 14, 2016 |url-status=live}}
</ref>
<ref name="bundle_tunasymposium">Bluefin Futures Symposium, January 2016:
*{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Blue-Fin-Tuna-Once-Bountiful-Now-in-Peril-Stanford-Scientist-366103281.html |title=Bluefin Tuna, Once Bountiful, Now in Peril |last=Rosato |first=Joe |date=January 21, 2016 |website=NBC Bay Area |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612000519/http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Blue-Fin-Tuna-Once-Bountiful-Now-in-Peril-Stanford-Scientist-366103281.html |archive-date=June 12, 2016 |access-date=October 14, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2016/01/26/a-bluefin-tuna-for-118000-going-going-gone/ |title=A Bluefin Tuna for $118,000: Going, Going … Gone? |last=Damanaki |first=Maria |date=January 26, 2016 |website=National Geographic Voices |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830075756/http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2016/01/26/bluefin/ |archive-date=August 30, 2016 |access-date=October 14, 2016 |url-status=live}}
</ref>
<ref name="bundle_seafoodpartners">Seafood Watch business partnerships:
*{{cite web |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171012005867/en/Aramark-Reports-Progress-Sustainable-Seafood-Sourcing-Goals |title=Aramark Reports Progress on Sustainable Seafood Sourcing Goals |date=October 12, 2017 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Business Wire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012170545/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171012005867/en/Aramark-Reports-Progress-Sustainable-Seafood-Sourcing-Goals |archive-date=October 12, 2017 |access-date=October 22, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2010/07/05/focus1.html |title=Eat locally, impact globally: Compass Group uses purchasing power for change |last=Stabley |first=Susan |date=July 5, 2010 |website=Charlotte Business Journal |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707191057/http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2010/07/05/focus1.html |archive-date=July 7, 2010 |access-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/29049/20160922/target-sustainable-seafood-stores.htm |title=Target to Offer Only Sustainable Seafood in Stores, One Big Step in Saving the Ocean |last=Ayque |first=Jamie |date=September 22, 2016 |publisher=Nature World News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923184213/http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/29049/20160922/target-sustainable-seafood-stores.htm |archive-date=September 23, 2016 |access-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/prnewswire/press_releases/Washington/2015/05/06/SF00271 |title=Whole Foods Market® to Open Newest Store in University Place on May 7 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=May 6, 2015 |website=[[Puget Sound Business Journal]] |location=Seattle, Washington |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203054620/http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/prnewswire/press_releases/Washington/2015/05/06/SF00271 |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=live}}; {{cite web |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2016/08/10/LA66561 |title=Small New Zealand Fishing Town Makes a Big Splash in U.S. Marketplace |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=August 10, 2016 |website=The Business Journals |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203054659/http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2016/08/10/LA66561 |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=live}}
</ref>
<ref name="bundle_seafoodawards">Awards received by Seafood Watch:
*{{cite web |url=http://www.aam-us.org/about-us/grants-awards-and-competitions/muse-awards/past-award-winners/2003-award-winners |title=2003 Muse Award Winners |publisher=American Alliance of Museums |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915011401/http://aam-us.org/about-us/grants-awards-and-competitions/muse-awards/past-award-winners/2003-award-winners |archive-date=September 15, 2015 |access-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/monterey-bay-aquarium-wins-tastemaker-award-from-bon-appetit-magazine-for-its-influential-seafood-watch-program-65078237.html |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium Wins Tastemaker Award from Bon Appetit Magazine for Its influential Seafood Watch Program |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=September 5, 2008 |publisher=[[PR Newswire]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203055758/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/monterey-bay-aquarium-wins-tastemaker-award-from-bon-appetit-magazine-for-its-influential-seafood-watch-program-65078237.html |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="bundle_plastics">Support of California Proposition 67 (2016):
*{{cite web |url=https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_67,_Plastic_Bag_Ban_Veto_Referendum_(2016) |title=California Proposition 67, Plastic Bag Ban Veto Referendum (2016) |website=[[Ballotpedia]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710095723/https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_67,_Plastic_Bag_Ban_Veto_Referendum_(2016) |archive-date=July 10, 2017 |access-date=October 12, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/conservation-and-science/our-priorities/ocean-plastic-pollution |title=I'm voting YES on Proposition 67 for a plastic-free ocean! |publisher=Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007155420/http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/conservation-and-science/our-priorities/ocean-plastic-pollution |archive-date=October 7, 2016 |access-date=October 12, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=https://futureoftheocean.wordpress.com/2016/10/11/whats-the-deal-with-plastic-pollution/ |title=What's the deal with plastic pollution? |date=October 11, 2016 |publisher=Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012003411/https://futureoftheocean.wordpress.com/2016/10/11/whats-the-deal-with-plastic-pollution/ |archive-date=October 12, 2016 |access-date=October 12, 2017 |url-status=live}}
</ref>
<!-- IN MEDIA AND POPULAR CULTURE -->
<ref name="bundle_PBS">PBS ''Nature'' documentaries featuring the aquarium:
*{{cite web |url=http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/oceans-in-glass-behind-the-scenes-of-the-monterey-bay-aquarium-introduction/636/ |title=Introduction |work=Oceans in Glass: Behind the Scenes of the Monterey Bay Aquarium  |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=June 20, 2011 |publisher=[[PBS]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230183945/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/oceans-in-glass-behind-the-scenes-of-the-monterey-bay-aquarium-introduction/636/ |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |access-date=August 21, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/saving-otter-501/10761/ |title=Saving Otter 501 – About |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= October 23, 2014|publisher=PBS |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404074926/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/saving-otter-501/10761/ |archive-date=April 4, 2016 |access-date=August 21, 2017 |url-status=live}}
</ref>
<ref name="bundle_BBC">Big Blue Live television program:
*{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5ZjQ380K0c4ZbpnVSDWCDMP/our-partners |title=Big Blue Live – Our Partners |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825065159/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5ZjQ380K0c4ZbpnVSDWCDMP/our-partners |archive-date=August 25, 2015 |access-date=August 21, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2016/television/live-event |title=Television <nowiki>|</nowiki> Live Event in 2016 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2016 |publisher=British Academy of Film and Television Arts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803041747/http://awards.bafta.org/award/2016/television/live-event |archive-date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=August 21, 2017 |url-status=live}}
</ref>
}}

== Sources ==
{{Strong|Books and journals}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2neTSMJ2ivIC |title=Shaping the shoreline: fisheries and tourism on the Monterey coast |last=Chiang |first=Connie Y. |publisher=University of Washington Press |year=2008 |isbn=9780295989778 |oclc=704517509 }}
*{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kd9x3yoRJDYC&pg=146 |title=The death and life of Monterey Bay: a story of revival |last1=Palumbi |first1=Stephen R. |last2=Sotka |first2=Carolyn |date=2011 |publisher=Island Press |isbn=9781597269872 |oclc=692205204 }}
*{{Cite book |title=The ark and beyond: the evolution of zoo and aquarium conservation |last=Spring |first=Margaret |publisher=University of Chicago Press |year=2018 |isbn=9780226538631 |editor-last=Minteer |editor-first=Ben A. |pages=156–168 |chapter=Lessons from thirty-one years at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and reflections on aquariums' expanding role in conservation action |oclc=1003854885 |editor-last2=Maienschein |editor-first2=Jane |editor-last3=Collins |editor-first3=James P. |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fLtSDwAAQBAJ&pg=156 }}
*{{cite conference |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/xmlui/handle/123456789/9844 |title=Establishing a captive kelp forest: Developments during the first year at the Monterey Bay Aquarium |last1=Watanabe |first1=JM |last2=Phillips |first2=RE |date=1985 |pages=11 |conference=American Academy of Underwater Sciences |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817181411/http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/xmlui/handle/123456789/9844 |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |access-date=October 27, 2013 |url-status=usurped}}
{{refend}}

{{Strong|Audiovisual media}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{Cite AV media |title=''"Oceans in Glass: Behind the Scenes of the Monterey Bay Aquarium"'' |date=January 22, 2006 |type=Documentary film |language=en |publisher=PBS |ref={{sfnref|"Oceans in Glass"|2006}}}}
{{refend}}

{{Strong|Magazines}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Brincks |first=Renee |date=2009 |title=An Ocean of Excellence: The Monterey Bay Aquarium Celebrates its Silver Anniversary |url=http://www.carmelmagazine.com/archive/09fa/aquarium.shtml |magazine=Carmel Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609211506/http://www.carmelmagazine.com/archive/09fa/aquarium.shtml |archive-date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=September 21, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Gerfen |first=Katie |date=January 15, 2016 |title=The Monterey Bay Aquarium Wins the 2016 AIA Twenty-Five Year Award |url=http://www.architectmagazine.com/awards/aia-honor-awards/the-monterey-bay-aquarium-wins-the-2016-aia-twenty-five-year-award_o |magazine=[[American Institute of Architects#Magazine|Architect]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816103948/http://www.architectmagazine.com/awards/aia-honor-awards/the-monterey-bay-aquarium-wins-the-2016-aia-twenty-five-year-award_o |archive-date=August 16, 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2016 |url-status=live}}
{{refend}}

{{Strong|News}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite news |last1=Beadle |first1=Philip |last2=Thompson |first2=Vicki |date=April 20, 2015 |title=Exclusive: Monterey Bay Aquarium topped 2M visitors in 2014 — here's how the staff pulls it off (Photos) |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2015/04/20/exclusive-monterey-bay-aquarium-topped-2m-visitors.html |work=[[American City Business Journals|Silicon Valley Business Journal]] |location=San Jose, California |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921235113/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2015/04/20/exclusive-monterey-bay-aquarium-topped-2m-visitors.html?page=all |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last=Cooper |first=Leigh |date=December 5, 2014 |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium's top 10 legacies, so far |url=http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2014/12/05/monterey-bay-aquariums-top-legacies-far/19972147/ |work=The Salinas Californian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118215848/http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2014/12/05/monterey-bay-aquariums-top-legacies-far/19972147/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin= |archive-date=January 18, 2018 |access-date=October 12, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/travel/article/Cannery-Row-offers-hints-of-its-history-4812835.php |title=Cannery Row offers hints of its history |last=Duggan |first=Tara |date=September 16, 2013 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231075910/http://www.sfchronicle.com/travel/article/Cannery-Row-offers-hints-of-its-history-4812835.php |archive-date=December 31, 2016 |access-date=December 30, 2016 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite news |last=McCabe |first=Michael |date=February 18, 1996 |title=Monterey Aquarium Goes Really Deep / Vast new wing will display sea creatures never before held in captivity |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Monterey-Aquarium-Goes-Really-Deep-Vast-new-2993744.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807210725/http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Monterey-Aquarium-Goes-Really-Deep-Vast-new-2993744.php |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |access-date=August 7, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-monterey-bay-aquarium-seafood-watch-turns-15-20150513-story.html |title=Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch turns 15 |last=Parsons |first=Russ |date=May 13, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320182059/http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-monterey-bay-aquarium-seafood-watch-turns-15-20150513-story.html |archive-date=March 20, 2016 |access-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last=Reynolds |first=Christopher |date=October 18, 2009 |title=Holy mackerel, that's a great white! |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trw-monterey18-2009oct18-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729030652/http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trw-monterey18-2009oct18-story.html |archive-date=July 29, 2014 |access-date=August 24, 2016 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news |last=Rogers |first=Paul |date=June 27, 2011 |title=Big tank at Monterey Bay Aquarium gets major face lift |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2011/06/27/big-tank-at-monterey-bay-aquarium-gets-major-face-lift/ |work=[[The Mercury News]] |location=San Jose, California |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923032003/http://www.mercurynews.com/2011/06/27/big-tank-at-monterey-bay-aquarium-gets-major-face-lift/ |archive-date=September 23, 2016 |access-date=September 23, 2016 |ref={{sfnref|Rogers|2011a}} |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last=Squatriglia |first=Chuck |date=October 8, 2006 |title=Aquarium's habitat for a heavyweight / Monterey Bay creates a home for second voracious – but delicate – great white |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Aquarium-s-habitat-for-a-heavyweight-Monterey-2487778.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123212534/http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Aquarium-s-habitat-for-a-heavyweight-Monterey-2487778.php |archive-date=November 23, 2016 |access-date=September 25, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last=Stock |first=Lynn Peithman |date=November 6, 2015 |title=2015 Community Impact Award Winner: Monterey Bay Aquarium |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/print-edition/2015/11/06/2015community-impact-award-winner-monterey-bay.html#i1 |work=Silicon Valley Business Journal |location=San Jose, California |url-access=subscription |access-date=August 6, 2017 }}
*{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Sandra |date=April 17, 2014 |title=Monterey Bay makes splash as captive-free model |url=http://www.vancourier.com/news/monterey-bay-makes-splash-as-captive-free-model-1.974620 |work=[[Vancouver Courier]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420082023/http://www.vancourier.com/news/monterey-bay-makes-splash-as-captive-free-model-1.974620 |archive-date=April 20, 2014 |access-date=September 19, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last=Yollin |first=Patricia |date=April 1, 2012 |title=Monterey aquarium jellies jam to psychedelic beat |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/Monterey-aquarium-jellies-jam-to-psychedelic-beat-3444690.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007231154/http://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/Monterey-aquarium-jellies-jam-to-psychedelic-beat-3444690.php |archive-date=October 7, 2017 |access-date=October 7, 2017 |url-status=live}}
{{refend}}

{{Strong|Web}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.vox.com/2016/7/8/12129028/great-white-shark-aquarium |title=Why there aren't any great white sharks in captivity |last1=Fong |first1=Joss |last2=Lee |first2=Dion |date=July 8, 2016 |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710151651/http://www.vox.com/2016/7/8/12129028/great-white-shark-aquarium |archive-date=July 10, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016 |url-status=live}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Monterey Bay Aquarium}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://www.google.com/maps/@36.6181686,-121.9019817,3a,75y,46.57h,78.77t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1soFg65r622UOlUEbw6WPjqw!2e0!3e5!7i13312!8i6656 Walkthrough of aquarium] on [[Google Street View]]
* [https://futureoftheocean.wordpress.com Aquarium's blog] used through 2020, detailing conservation and science efforts
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMrJF0XqL6w YouTube video] on the history of the aquarium from a founding biologist

{{Zoos of California}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Monterey Bay Aquarium| ]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Monterey, California]]
[[Category:Monterey Bay]]
[[Category:Museums in Monterey County, California]]
[[Category:Oceanaria in the United States]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Monterey, California]]
[[Category:Wildlife rehabilitation and conservation centers]]