Wednesday, January 6, 2010

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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Posted by NEAQ at 4:47 PM 0 comments

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.
Posted by NEAQ at 10:37 AM 0 comments
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Monday, December 21, 2009

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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Posted by NEAQ at 11:46 AM 0 comments
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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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Posted by NEAQ at 11:40 AM 0 comments

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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Posted by NEAQ at 11:21 AM 0 comments
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