Located on Central Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts, the New England Aquarium opened to the public on June 20, 1969. It was one of the world’s first modern aquariums, featuring a 4-story Giant Ocean Tank, with more than 12,000 visitors during opening day. The Aquarium is a nonprofit research and conservation organization that has been protecting and caring for our ocean and marine life for more than 50 years. Their mission is to inspire people to form an impactful connection with the ocean and take steps to protect it, through exhibits, research, and advocacy work. The New England Aquarium values their passion to protect the blue planet using a diverse mix of skills to solve problems and come up with innovative ideas. Their team uses humility and compassion to build the trust of the community while relying on scientific methods and evidence based practices.
Most sea turtle populations today are considered vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. The Aquarium rehabilitates hundreds of injured sea turtles each year and their team of scientists conduct research to improve sea turtle health, conservation, and protection. The Giant Ocean Tank, houses a green sea turtle named Myrtle and two loggerhead turtles from the Rescue and Rehabilitation program. These turtles were not able to be released back into the wild, but they can be viewed at the Aquarium or on the Giant Ocean Tank webcam! The New England Aquarium also has a Right Whale Research Team. Fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales remain in the wild and are facing a serious threat of extinction. This team leads right whale studies and the work is used to help create policies and management strategies to protect the critically endangered species.
Every day, visitors are able to connect with 10,000 marine species. These experiences help people feel closer to the ocean and build a support network of ocean conservation. Their team connects with people of all ages with opportunities like pledging to support the conservation of the marine environment, encourages writing to legislators to ask for more protection of right whales, and more. At the Simons Theatre, the local community can attend free lectures led by award winning professionals and leaders. The Aquarium helps to promote important conversations about protecting the ocean.
The New England Aquarium strives to protect and conserve marine life while conducting research and promoting advocacy and education. They believe in making sure everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in conservation measures. I highly recommend anyone who is interested in our oceans to visit the New England Aquarium!
Thumbnail Image: New England Aquarium entrance. (Image from: https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&hide_panel=true&k=new+england+aquarium&search_type=usertyped&asset_id=219885003)
Resources:
“New England Aquarium — Homepage.” New England Aquarium, 2016, www.neaq.org/.
“New England Aquarium.” Wikipedia, 25 Feb. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England_Aquarium.