New lessons in the new year

Take your interest in our blue planet one step further. Immerse yourself in marine studies this new year with three unique classes offered by the Marine Studies Consortium. As an active member of this local academic group, the Aquarium is proud to once again host a Biology of Fishes course at our Learning Lab. The upper-level undergraduate class provides a unique opportunity to study evolution and diversity among fishes, and then see those species up close in our dazzling exhibits. This is one of the only university level classes to take place at a major aquarium!

(Photo: T. Rinaldo)

Other classes offered by the consortium include Coastal Zone Management, which explores the balance between the natural systems and development pressures, and the Biology of Whales, which dives into population biology and conservation challenges.

Classes are held in the evenings and are open to the public. Academic credit is also available. Visit the consortium's website to learn more about course outlines, syllabi and prerequisites.

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Triggering success!

by Amanda Thompson

Aquarium researchers are excited to announce that they have successfully hatched and raised the very first Queen triggerfish in captivity from eggs found here in our Giant Ocean Tank! This historical event was made possible through the combined efforts of our researchers and those at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.

Larval stages Queen triggerfish (Photo: Andy Rhyne)

Adult Queen triggerfish frequently lay eggs in the GOT but few survive. The eggs are usually eaten or are destroyed in the filtration system. This time, divers harvested the eggs and sent them to a lab at Roger Williams University. With careful consideration to food sources, water conditions and stress factors, the eggs hatched and the larvae are thriving.

As part of our Sustainable Ornamental Fish Initiative, we not only work on breeding and raising fish, we also research the ornamental aquaculture trade by assessing the impact that fish collection has on its local ecosystem, as well as that of the global trade markets. Queen triggerfish are considered a threatened species and this success should go a long way towards establishing their sustainability within the aquarium trade.

Hopping in for the Holidays

The Aquarium is preparing a very special gift for visitors this holiday season - six rockhopper penguins! The group road tripped it to Boston from their former home at Sea World in Orlando last month. They are now undergoing a routine quarantine period behind the scenes. After healthy check-ups, the group of six females are making their formal debut December 22. Visitors are invited to watch as they hop into their new home at the Aquarium's penguin exhibit.

The celebration continues the following week with the first ice sculpture of First Night, Boston's new year celebration. Six larger-than-life rockhoppers will greet visitors on the Aquarium's plaza. Come visit the newest members of the penguin colony (both icy and feathered) during December school vacation week!

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The Turtles Have Arrived

Dozens of cold-stunned sea turtles now are convalescing at the New England Aquarium, and they keep coming.

Visitors to the Aquarium get front-row seats to watch their recovery. Come to the Aquarium to see these rare animals get expert care and attention at the Animal Medical Center. Keep tabs on the Marine Animal Rescue Team blog for the latest head counts and to meet some of these rare animals.

Get in on the action with the Proud Parents Animal Sponsorship Program. Through your generous donation, you can help the Aquarium care for endangered green sea turtles and Kemp's ridley sea turtles.

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Join These People and Live Blue for a Better Planet!

Sebastian Junger, renowned author and journalist

Brian Skerry, New England Aquarium Explorer in residence

Wallace J. Nichols, a leader in ocean protection efforts

These are just a few of the people sharing their live blue profiles at the Aquarium’s new interactive online program, www.LiveBlueInitiative.org. Learn why these individuals care about the environment and what they do to live blue.

Sign up at www.LiveBlueInitiative.org to share your own reasons for living blue. The website lets you claim a plot of ocean to protect. You also can visit a new computer kiosk at the Aquarium to help protect coral fishes, right whales, Hector's dolphins, sea turtles, penguins and more.

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Spotlight on Research

'Tis the season for the annual migration of right whales to warmer waters off Florida and Georgia for the calving season. Where the whales go you can be sure our right whale researchers are dashing all the way after them!

CAPTION: This is the first right whale spotted by the Aerial Survey Team members during their flights over the Florida and Georgia coast this season. Click through to their blog entry for a larger image and to read more.

Researchers keep watch for the right whales from their Cessna Skymaster twin engine plane. This is all a part of the Southeast Early Warning Survey. The EWS consists of survey teams from Wildlife Trust, Florida Conservation Commission and of course the New England Aquarium. Each of the groups observes a certain area off the coast of the southeastern United States. By photographing and reporting sightings of the endangered whales to warn ships, we hope to help reduce the risk of ship strikes.

CAPTION: The team stands beside a Cessna aircraft in which they will spend long hours scanning the waters for right whales.

For more information, to learn more about our team and see the latest pictures, visit the Aquarium's Right Whale Aerial Survey Blog

CAPTION: The team's mascot for the season, Louie, belongs to one of the pilots.

This year our right whale researchers attended the first annual Right Whale Festival in Jacksonville, Fla. to kick off this year's calving season. This event was such a tremendous success we hope to make this an annual event!

- by Amanda Thompson

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Here's to 40 More Great Years!

We're celebrating our 40th anniversary! The New England Aquarium opened its doors in 1969. Since then, our vision has been to redefine what it means to be an aquarium by combining education, entertainment and action to address the most challenging problems facing the ocean. Our awe-inspiring animals and exhibits are the lens through which our 1.3 million annual visitors can view the fragile beauty and wonder of the oceans. We are committed to engaging and educating our visitors, inspiring them to make a positive and lasting impact for ocean conservation. Please help ensure another 40 great years by making a celebratory donation of $40 right now. Thank you in advance for your generous support and for seeing us into our next 40 years.

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Now playing at the Simons IMAX Theatre

The beloved holiday classic written by Charles Dickens and starring Jim Carrey follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he finds the new meaning of holiday spirit. Moviegoers can travel through time, reach for falling snowflakes and feel the rumble of the horse-drawn carriages over the cobblestone streets through the digitally re-mastered IMAX 3D experience. This film is rated PG for scary sequences and images. Buy your tickets in advance!

Under the Sea 3D

Dolphins and Whales 3D: Tribes of the Ocean

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The Perfect Gift: Aquarium Gift Certificates

This holiday season you can find all sorts of pretty and practical gifts for the eco-friendly people on your list at the Aquarium Gift Shop. Aquarium gift certificates are available for purchase in the gift shop and online. Plus, get a jump on your holiday shopping with this list of blue planet gift ideas.

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Holiday Gifts

Penguins make great holiday presents! For the penguin fan in your life, take home On the Wings of Penguins, a documentary prominently featuring Aquarium staff and animals that is packaged in a box set with March of the Penguins.

Check out the Aquarium's Gift Shop for this DVD plus a wide selection of additional thoughtful gifts. You will find plenty of goodies for the eco-friendly people on your list including:

- Jeff Corwin's new book, 100 Heartbeats: The race to Save Earth's Most Endangered Species

- Live Blue T-shirt featuring the slogan "I'm protecting our blue planet"

- BPA-free plastic Live Blue water cup

- A navy blue stainless steel Live Blue water bottle

Visit the Aquarium Gift Shop to find these and many other holiday gifts.

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