Zoo Rating: Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey, California, USA

 

About the Zoo

Slightly ironic, the Monterey Bay Aquarium started off as a sardine cannery on the famous “Cannery Row” of Monterey, California. However the 20^th Century saw the collapse of the sardine fishing industry, and in 1973 Monterey’s precursor, the Hovden Cannery, closed down. Eleven years later brought the opening of the aquarium, one of the most charismatic and well known facilities on the Pacific coast of America.

 

1. Species

As it was once a cannery, Monterey Bay Aquarium’s floor space is large, with two separated buildings, connected by a skywalk. The aquarium’s 322,000 square foot (29,914.77888 square metres) grounds are home to mostly native species to the west Pacific, though there are some exotics in the mix, as well. Animal highlights include Southern Sea Otters, Pacific Bluefin Tuna, Mola Mola and many other species of pelagic fish rarely kept in captivity. Monterey also holds precedence of being the only aquarium in the world to have ever kept a Great White Shark for an extended period of time, which was done a total of six times.

Score: 8

2. Animal Welfare

Monterey Bay Aquarium is home to a variety of animals with special needs, from rescued Green Turtles and Southern Sea Otters to Giant Pacific Octopus and Scalloped Hammerheads. With a large variety, comes a wide variety of special needs. Any animal big or small is kept in a specialized habitat, with every need satisfied. Around 2,025 gallons of water are pumped into the aquarium every minute, by day this is filtered for easy public viewing, but by night, it is left unfiltered to sustain filter-feeding animals (especially the aquarium’s sardines and anchovies) and to possibly introduce new animals into the habitats. In this way, the aquarium acts as a man-made extension of the bay. Keepers care about all the animals under their care, and it is clear that they’re there for all of the right reasons.

Score: 8

3. Construction

The aquarium’s entrance is effective taking guests in and letting them into the facility. Two main routes can be taken; through “Ocean’s Edge” or “Outer Bay” – the latter of which is in the aquarium’s second building. The first path takes you in around rocky shores, with sharks, shorebirds, penguins, and more. The highlight of this side is the three story, 328,000 gallon Kelp Forest, which stands as the first and biggest exhibit of its kind. If the other path is taken, then many open ocean species will be encountered. The million-gallon Open Sea tank is where the aquarium’s most famous denizens, its Great Whites, lived alongside Bluefin Tuna and more. Despite having so much, the aquarium is not cramped in any way, and built specifically to handle large crowds of people.

Score: 8

 

4. Accommodations

Near its entrance is where the aquarium’s gift shop can be found, providing all sorts of under-the-sea themed gift specialties. Across the way lies a full-service restaurant which overlooks the bay, providing good views of sea lions, otters, and the occasional gray whale. On the aquarium’s outside decks are telescopes, so that guests can look out onto the bay for wildlife. Restrooms are found throughout the building, so guests are never too far from one. In the “Splash Zone” exhibition, there is a large indoor playground for children and throughout the aquarium are many “fish feedings” where divers interact with a watching crowd as they feed the animals.

Score: 8

5. Education

Monterey’s entire mission is to educate guests on the idea of oceanic conservation, whether that be by cleaning up litter on the beach, or making sure to avoid eating unsustainable fish species. Throughout the aquarium are loyal volunteers and keepers ready to answer any question that guests may have, and each exhibition, every last tank, is carefully and clearly labeled, with factoids on each species. Simply no other aquarium is as devoted to education and conservation not only in its local area, but throughout the planet.

Score: 9.5

6. Interaction

The “Ocean’s Edge” side of the aquarium sports several touch pools, allowing interaction with everything from California Bat Rays to mussels and starfish. Each one of course is manned by several volunteers and keepers, to answer any questions or point out especially important animals. During the “fish feeding” shows, divers interact with an eager audience, asking questions and handing out prizes later on.

Score: 7.5

 

Total Score: 8.2

Monterey is like no other aquarium facility on the planet, saving species from extinction through teaching and example. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation does work throughout the world, working with many species to ensure their continued existence in our ocean, from the tiniest planktonic creature to the massive whales that migrate through Monterey Bay every year. It in a way is a magical location, where guests can experience things that they will never experience. Probably the only thing holding Monterey Bay Aquarium back is its location; it doesn’t allow for the building and exhibition of dolphins, sea lions, and other, larger marine mammals. In the end, this is a small detail, and Monterey is an aquarium that you’ll want to visit over and over and over again.

Andrew, 09/05/2014