Seattle Aquarium Annual Report 2013

24 Pages·2014·4.26 MB·English

Seattle Aquarium
2013
Annual Report
LEADERSHIP DIRECTORY
As of December 31, 2013
Seattle Aquarium Administration
Robert W. Davidson, President & CEO
C.J. Casson, Director of Life Sciences
Ryan Dean, Director of Finance & Administration
Tim Kuniholm, Director of Public Affairs
Alan Maxey, Director of Facilities & Operations
Lori Montoya, Director of Development
Marsha Savery, Marketing & Creative Director
Veronica Smolen, Director of Human Resources
Jim Wharton, Director of Conservation & Education
Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment
Board of Directors

Chairman Lesley Canfield, Community Volunteer
Kenneth F. Collins, Microsoft
*James C. Gurke, retired, Getty Images
David D. Dicks, University of Washington, College of the Environment
Immediate Past Chair Patricia J. Dill, Laird Norton Wealth Management
Bob Donegan, Ivar’s
J. Terry McLaughlin, retired, The Professional Basketball Club, LLC
William T. Einstein, Puget Sound Energy, Inc.
Chair Elect Dennis Forsyth, SRG Partnership, Inc.
Susan L. Gates, American West Bank
Randy J. Tinseth, The Boeing Company
Pam Guinn, Clear Channel Outdoor
Treasurer J. Brian Hill, Sound Leasing Corporation
Neal Holland, Union Bank
Kevin L. Blair, Washington Trust Bank
Linda K. Johnson, retired, Visio
Secretary Stephanie Kornblum, retired, Microsoft
Mark E. Kramer, F5 Networks
Gary T. Smith, Smith and Stark
Katherine A. Krogslund, University of Washington, School of Oceanography
President & CEO Erin J. Letey, Riddell Williams P.S.
Lisa C. Luther, Nordstrom
*Robert W. Davidson
Melissa Mager, Law Offices of Cynthia B. Whitaker
Past Chairs Karissa Marker, KPMG
Greg Massey, Seattle Mariners
Ted Ackerley, Ackerley Partners
Steve Moore, Contour, Inc.
Don Audleman, Capstone Partners LLC
Gregory P. Owens, Washington Trust Bank
John C. Blackman, retired, Argosy Cruises
Robert W. Power, SEA CON LLC
Dan M. Guy III, Columbia Pacific
Casey J. Schuchart, Schuchart
Stuart T. Rolfe, Wright Hotels, Inc.
Gary S. Smith, Lease Crutcher Lewis
George V. Willoughby Jr., retired, King Broadcasting
Amy Sprangers, Seahawks & Seattle Sounders FC
Directors Linda Springmann, Holland America Line
Eric V. Steinwinder, Avanade, Inc.
*William C. Arntz, retired, Seattle Aquarium
Scott C. Trethewey, Callisons, Inc.
Mary L. Bass, Wells Fargo
Alex Washburn, Columbia Pacific Advisors, LLC
Gini Beck, Community Volunteer
Thomas J. Weiland, Amazon
Dianne L. Bell, Verizon Business
Christopher Williams, Seattle Parks & Recreation
*John R. Braden, retired, Seattle Aquarium
*Ex-Officio
The Seattle Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution owned by the City of Seattle. Donations to the Seattle Aquarium are tax deductible under
the Internal Revenue Code. Donations can be made by calling [phone] or visiting SeattleAquarium.org.
SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2013 2
Dear Friend of the Seattle Aquarium,
The highlight of 2013 for harbor seals Barney, Q and Siku—as well as our visitors, staff and volunteers—was
the opening on June 1 of our new harbor seal exhibit, representing your hugely important investment to
match that of the City of Seattle. This $7 million project replaced a dated exhibit with one that introduces
Puget Sound’s most ubiquitous marine mammal to visitors in a way that highlights their wonder and the
importance of a healthy Sound. This was the first major exhibit added since the $42.5 million New Currents
expansion of the Aquarium.
We had several independent affirmations in 2013 that we are making progress on a variety of key metrics.
The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) granted its five-year accreditation, calling out 17 areas of excellence
for specific mention. Independent survey research conducted by a national firm found that the Aquarium raises
interest in marine conservation and ranks second in overall satisfaction among eight national aquariums.
We also received high and balanced overall satisfaction ratings for both education and entertainment.
The City started construction on the Elliott Bay seawall replacement in November, which will assure the safety of
tens of thousands of people travelling to, working along and visiting the waterfront each day, as well as protect
key city utilities, transportation links and buildings like the Aquarium. The Aquarium will remain open and easily
accessible to our visitors during a three-year construction period.
As a symbolic and practical step to educate the public about ocean acidification and curb the Aquarium’s carbon
energy usage, Seattle City Light installed the largest solar array of any aquarium on the West Coast on the roof
of Pier 59. This complements our ocean acidification research efforts with Dr. Richard Feely of NOAA and the
U.W. College of the Environment, which includes instruments on Pier 59 measuring Puget Sound ocean
acidification levels.
Finally, as a key part of planning for the new Seattle “Waterfront for All,” we completed the concept program
for the future Aquarium expansion. This will be the basis for the conceptual architectural design for future
expansion, which will be completed and submitted for City Council review and approval in early 2015. Funding
for the concept design is provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the City of Seattle, and in-kind
services from Dennis Forsyth/SRG Partnership.
We are grateful for your support of the Seattle
Aquarium and its mission: Inspiring Conservation
of Our Marine Environment. On behalf of
the board of directors, staff and over 1,000
volunteers, we thank you!
Sincerely,
James C. Gurke
Chairman, Board of Directors
Robert W. Davidson
President & CEO
3 SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2013
HARBOR SEAL EXHIBIT OPENS
HARBOR SEAL EXHIBIT OPENS:
A BEAUTIFUL NEW HOME FOR BARNEY, Q AND SIKU!
After months of hard work and Our marine science interpreters
preparation, our new harbor seal quickly noticed that visitors were
exhibit opened to the public on lingering longer at the harbor seal
June 1 with a celebration sponsored exhibit than in any other area of
by Safeco. Nearly 5,500 visitors joined the Aquarium, which created more
us during the opening weekend to opportunities for them to help make
welcome Barney, Q and Siku to their the connection between harbor
new home. seals and preserving Puget Sound.
The harbor seals quickly settled The new exhibit also provided some
into their surroundings. Their new, unexpected opportunities to inspire
six-foot-deep pool is nearly two feet conservation action. Because of
deeper than their previous pool— its outdoor location and view of
and they definitely seemed to enjoy Elliott Bay, visitors were easily able
the extra swimming space. They also to see litter in the water near the
now have more room to rest on dry Aquarium’s pier—and many wanted
land: their haul-out space more than doubled in size to do something about it. Says Visitor Engagement
to 210 square feet (previously 94). The new exhibit also Manager Andrea DosSantos, “When the harbor seal
features a wet resting area, underwater rock formations, exhibit opened, we knew everyone was going to love
and an underwater “bubble curtain” that can be turned seeing the animals underwater; we didn’t expect that
on and off. we’d have so many conversations about debris in the
Sound. But when people started bringing it up, we took
The exhibit experience improved for humans, as well.
the opportunity to help them make the connection
With acrylic panels on three sides—two of which dip
between the harbor seals in the exhibit and harbor seals
below the water’s surface—the view of Barney, Q and
in the wild.”
Siku is better than ever before. Seating for up to 100
people (or three classrooms of school children) By summer’s end, over 120,000 people had visited
means that visitors can get comfortable the new exhibit—with many, many more to come in
and stay a while during the daily talks the years ahead.
and activities held at the exhibit.
THE NEXT STEP IN THE
AQUARIUM OF THE FUTURE
Constructed in just five short months, our new harbor
seal exhibit represents the latest in an exciting series
of transformations that began with our New Currents
Capital Campaign and subsequent expansion in
2005–2007. We’re in the planning stages of our biggest
expansion yet—to coincide with and take advantage
of the revitalization of Seattle’s central waterfront.
We look forward to sharing details of this plan with
you, and to leveraging our position as the centerpiece
of the new “waterfront for all” to inspire countless
new visitors about the wonders of our marine
environment—and educate them about the critical
role we all play in caring for it.
SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2013 4
HARBOR SEAL CAPITAL CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP
PROJECT COMPLETED
The Harbor Seal Capital Project was
chaired by Stephanie Kornblum, who
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS
joined the Seattle Aquarium board of
In early 2014, the Aquarium successfully completed
directors in 2010. She has served on
another capital campaign: the renovation of our largest
our Executive Committee since 2011
outdoor attraction, the harbor seal exhibit. We surpassed
and also serves as co-chair of our
our goal of $6 million with a public contribution by the
Development Committee.
City of Seattle of $3.5 million for piling replacement, and
Stephanie led our board of directors in
$2.56 million in private contributions.
this effort and was supported by veteran
Launched in October 2011, the Harbor Seal Capital Project
fundraisers Ted Ackerley, Jim Gurke,
officially came to a close in February of 2014, when the
Dan Guy, J. Brian Hill, Stuart Rolfe, Amy
Aquarium surpassed its goal and triggered a top-off grant
Sprangers and George Willoughby.
of $250,000 by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. We are
Thanks to all for their outstanding
tremendously grateful for the incentive of this award.
efforts toward realizing the vision of the
Aquarium’s new harbor seal exhibit!
5 SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2013
HARBOR SEAL
CAPITAL PROJECT DONORS
$3,500,000 Katharyn Alvord Gerlich $1,000–$4,999 Stanley Gent & Susan Morrow
James & Christina Gurke David & Lisa Goldberg
City of Seattle Bender Family Trust
Neal & Danielle Holland Rod & Renee Gowdy
Kai & Asher Bergman
$350,000 and above Ivar’s Restaurants & Seafood Bars Robert & Allison Grayson
Lora Brown
James & Leslie Kerr Duncan Haas & Birgit Walbaum
The Norcliffe Foundation Ken & Amy Collins
Nordstrom Patricia Hall
$250,000–$349,999 Edward & Susan Palmer Ford Davidson John Hogan
William & Brooke Einstein
Safeco Insurance Chris Holloway
Linda & Ted Johnson Jose & Carmen Esparza
Randy & Ellen Tinseth Renee Hopkins
M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Jan Forbes Bender & Robert Bender
Satterberg Foundation Ken Johnsen
$100,000–$249,999 Dennis Forsyth & Elaine Spencer
Snoqualmie Tribe Michael Koppel
David & Deborah Grant
The Ginger & Barry Ackerley William & Susan Vititoe Alden & Meghan Kroll
J. Brian Hill
Foundation H.S. Wright III & Kate Janeway Gary & Marcia Lagerloef
Douglas & Susan Jewett
C. Keith Birkenfeld Memorial Trust Martha Wyckoff & Jerry Tone C. Alan Maxey & Sabrina Ford
Vernon & Vera Johnson
Grousemont Foundation Anonymous Joy Okazaki & Mike Johnson
Scott & Shirley Kimmel
Mark & Andria Pinkowski
$50,000–$99,999 $5,000–$9,999 Brian & Diane Langstraat
David Pollock
Erin & Tyler Letey
Joshua Green Foundation Tom Alberg & Judi Beck Pyramid Communications
Mortenson Construction
D.V. and Ida J. McEachern Charitable Don & Carol Audleman Douglass & Katherine Raff
Trust James & Lisa Nordstrom
Mary L. Bass Daniel Ryder
John Deininger & Carol-Ann O’Mack Jim & Gaye Pigott
Dianne Bell William Savoy
Puget Sound Energy
$25,000–$49,999 Kevin & Katy Blair Stuart & Mary Silk
Seattle Mariners
The Boeing Company Veronica Smolen
The Baty Family Gary Smith & Karen Smith Ekblad
John Braden & Kristin Johnsen Ethan Stiles & Yumi Huh
Dan Guy III & Wendy Ershig-Guy Frank & Linda Springmann
Linda Breneman & Eric Strand Turner Construction Company
John C. & Karyl Kay Hughes Alex & Courtney Tucker
Foundation John & Adrienne Brown University Mechanical
Robert & Molly Davidson Peter & Shannon van Oppen Contractors, Inc.
Jones Family Foundation
Bob & Lisa Donegan Verizon Foundation Randolph Urmston &
Pavel & Yelena Kadach
Washington Trust Bank Eliza Davidson
Susan Gates & Jack Paauw
Ana Bella Kipman and parents
Sally & David Wright John & Marilyn Warner
Hamilton & Nancy Harris
Aaron & Stephanie Kornblum
Anonymous (2) Russell Young
Holland America Line, Inc.
Keith & Mary Kay McCaw
Anonymous (4)
Family Foundation Martha Kongsgaard & Peter Goldman $500–$999
Microsoft Matching Gifts Program Karen Koon & Brad Edwards $100–$499
Diane Adams & Krista Ayers
Glen & Alison Milliman Mark & Kimberly Kramer
Doug Alder & Eric Middleton 206inc
Steven & Angie Moore Katherine Krogslund
Wendy Alexander & Randy Ogata William & Michelle Armour
Sujal & Meera Patel Lisa & Ron Luther
AnM Facility Services Laura Austin
Peach Foundation Greg Massey & Omid Ighani
David & Scotta Ashcraft Pamela Baade
Stuart & Lee Rolfe J. Terry & Kathleen McLaughlin
Doug & Linda Barnes Laura A. Bachman
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Scheumann Jeff & Phyllis Nomura
Dorothy Bayley Thatcher Bailey & Phil Kovacevich
The Seattle Foundation Greg & Barbara Owens
Cory & Katherine Bergman William Bannecker
David & Maryanne Tagney Jones Sharon Philpott & Stephen Finn
Miguel & Jacklyn Bezos Douglas Barker & Elizabeth Sicktich
Scott Trethewey Robert Power & Michelle Raymond
Janet Boguch/Non-Profit Works Steve & Stella Bass
Doug & Maggie Walker William & Jill Ruckelshaus
William Bryant II & Barbara Feasey Dennus Baum & Denise Kraft
Ann P. Wyckoff Janet & Bob Rudolph
Howard & Kay Burton David & Diane Beck
Wyman Youth Trust Seattle Seahawks
Michelle Buzzoni Traci Belting & Gary Maples
Anonymous Gary & Ann Smith
Copper River Consulting Peter & Margaret Bentley
Seattle Sounders FC
$10,000–$24,999 John Creighton III & Katrina Bettis
Todd & Amy Sprangers
Hannelore Daniel Carl & Carol Binder
Amazon.com, Inc Union Bank
Wright & Sandy Dickinson BIOS, LLC
Harrell & Gini Beck Alex & Erika Washburn
Don & Patti Dill Claire Bishop
John C. Blackman Thomas & NanC Weiland
Paul Donohue Andrew & Lillian Bleiman
Robert & Sara Blair George & Colleen Willoughby
Buck & Mary Ferguson Terri Boehm
T. Bradford & Lesley Canfield Paul Wyckoff
Howard & Carolyn Ferguson Axel W. Brems
D.A. Davidson & Co. Susan Wyckoff
Susan Fitzgerald David & Madeleine Brenner
Craig Davison & Glenn Maarse
SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2013 6
Timothy Brown Ted & Kris Johnson Annie Spalding Thomas Winston
Dustin & Kristi Brumbaugh William & Sandy Justen Amy Sparks Margarite Hargrave
Susan Bullerdick James & Julie Keller Heather Spence & Gregory Noel Steven Harris & Patricia Zaknich
The Bullitt Foundation William & Marie Kent Starbucks Coffee Company Katie Hart & Joming Lau
Steve Camasi KeyBank Carlyn Steiner Caroline Hempstead
Robert & Ann Campbell Dmitry Khvol Eric & Samantha Steinwinder Andree Herbert
Samuel Cangemi James & Aimee Kinney In Honor of Cy & Case Stewart Kelly Hines & Dale Kuehn
David & Karen Carratt Louis Klusmeyer John Swanson Donna Howard & Dina Stoianova
C.J. & Teresa Casson Fred & Wendy Koontz John Sykes Ajna & Victoria Hoyt
Barry & Chouyaw Chen Christopher & Kerry Kozlowski Philip & Dawn Takeuchi Carol Jackson
Andrew Clapham Lawrence Kuracina & Lloyd & Theresa Tamura Dwayne & Kimberly Jones
Rex & JoAnn Clark Heidi Houghton Duncan & Elizabeth Thieme Nikki Joyner
Clausen Law Firm, PLLC Richard & Raquel Lackey Sarah Tompkins & Bryan Ruttkay Patrick Kennedy
Mark Clausen Michael & Mary Lee Richard Tschetter James Kirchhoffer
Kim Ackerley Cleworth & Janice Lengenfelder Nicolai & Jeanny Vinogradov Jodi Kunz
Peter Cleworth Martin Lijanto David & Sarah Warner Christa & Robert Lafayette
John & Patricia Coffey Brock & Karin Loen Michael & Nicolette Warner Monica Lake & Ngon Kim Pham
Martin Connor Carolyn Madsen & Eugene Duvernoy Richard Williams Darcie Larson
Copacino + Fujikado Melissa Mager & Richard Butler Ann Wilson Sarah Lipnik
Ana Corado Bernard Mansavage Kyle Winslow Laura Lockard
Priscilla Corielle Andrew & Tiffany Mark Charlotte Wollheim Vivian MacKay
Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. Karissa Marker Conrad Wouters & Glenna Olson Dennis & Krista Marceron
Christie & Logan Cotterill Paul Martini & Seanna Browder Ann Yoo Michelle Mauro
Rebekah Crowley Charles & Jan Mayes Rick Zieve & Kelly Van Gelder Linda Maxson
Charles & Julia Cutting Keith McClintock Suzanne & Robert Zonneveld Joshua Menne
In Memory Of Margaret Dam Joely Meighan Anonymous (47) John Meyer
Jennifer Deans Lori Montoya & Sam Houghtaling Jennifer Minich
$1–$99
Mike DeLeo & Jodi McDougall Bill Moore Katy & Li-Hua Moretz
Dino & Carin DeVita Susan Morrow & Stanley Gent Nancy Adams Philip S. Morse & Sarah Terkildsen
David Dicks & Antonia Jindrich Jordan Niles Greg Ambrose Susan Mueller
Nataleah Dietzmann Gregory Noel & Heather Spence In Honor of Bunnie Bailey Donna Naruo & Rachel Fleischman
Patrick Doody Jeff Norris Beata Baker Shari Okada
John & Laura Dresel Northern Trust Bank of Seattle Reid Bakkar & family Paul & Tiina Oker
Edge Concrete Specialty Services Christopher & Christina O’Claire Marjorie Balsham & Gary MacIver Stacy Osmond
Robert Edwards Ross Ondersma Gayle Bellows & David Teel Louise Pathe
Tawn Endres Mary Orvis Rodger & Karla Benson Dan & Kathryn Pecha
James & Cathy England Megan Owen Mark Blitzer Shana Pennington-Baird &
Cecilia & Andrew Erickson Virginia Park & Betsy Johnson Randolph & Harvey Bopp Benjamin Baird
Expedia, Inc. Michael & Elise Piraino Annette Bowen Katie Phelps
F5 Networks, Inc. Andra Pletz Pamela Cardone Meredith & Frank Radella
Sally Fisher Andrew & Dinah Prather Alexandra Chalk Pamela Reaville & Ethan Mutoli
Mr. & Mrs. John Flower Llewelyn & Jonie Pritchard Jennifer Coffin Natalie Ross
Stephen Forman Robert Reller Gabriella Crooks & John Clarke Miriam & Eric Ruthford
Jordan Gaynes Mario & Elizabeth Ribera Edward & Peter D’Agostino Darrell Sanders
In Honor of Jordan Gaynes Robert Richardson Brian Dague Yes & Allie Serious
Julie & Nedim Genjac Ron & Susan Runyon Michael & Lisa De Luca Arthur & Alice Siegal
Chris Glasgow Robin Russell Paul & Sandra Dehmer Amanda Simantov
Michael & Lucy Glenn Preston Sargent Judith Donovan Audrey Spaeth
Dan & Wendy Gottesman Erik & Debra Sather Amanda Drewniak Sripresanna Sriram
Ronald Gregush & Michael & Joanne Sato James Edwards Penelope St. John
Erica Brandling-Bennett
Brian Saunders Michael Edwards Jay & Kimberly Steffensmeier
Denise & James Griffing
David Schaefer & Patricia Moriarty Cecyl Fabano Gail Swedish
Matthew & Kathryn Griffith
Ann Schnitz Jeanne Fulcher Jennifer Tenlen
Robert & Pamela Guinn
Casey & Allison Schuchart Timothy Gacula Sarah Terkildsen
Jamie Gunn
Seattle Steam Company Jenny Glatt George & Tamsyn Theo
Greg & Linda Harris
Brandon & Sue Sewell Dave Glenn Jen Uhrich
Leah Hausman
Laurence Shapero & Sarah Thomas Leslie Gouker Tyler Urbigkit
Bob & Christy Hentges
Matthew & Jaimie Shea Lisa Graumlich & Linda Simonsen Jim & Cherie Williams
Mark & Joni Herwick
David & Erika Sigmon Terence & Anke Gray Annie & Janet Worcester
Seattle University Athletics
Yara Silva Tiffany Green Desiree Yuzawa
W. Scott Horner
Ron and Barb Sim Christina Hannan & Anonymous (66)
Carmen Jacobs
7 SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2013
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
SEATTLE AQUARIUM AZA ACCREDITATION RENEWED
After submitting a lengthy application for accreditation The Seattle Aquarium has
by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) in late been accredited by the
2012, the Aquarium completed the accreditation process AZA since the early 1980s but must re-apply every
in early 2013 with site visits by an inspection team five years to stay current. “It’s more challenging every
and an appearance hearing before the organization’s time,” noted Director of Life Sciences C.J. Casson in
accreditation commission. the midst of the application process. “As the bar keeps
getting raised, we too improve our programs of animal
The AZA, a nonprofit organization founded in 1924,
care, safety, conservation research,
is dedicated to the advancement of
and customer service.”
zoos and aquariums in the areas of
conservation, education, science and “It’s more challenging The Aquarium’s efforts were rewarded
recreation. AZA accreditation indicates every time,” noted in April of 2013, when the commission
official recognition and approval of a Director of Life Sciences voted to grant formal accreditation
zoo or aquarium by a group of experts; to the institution through 2018. “This
C.J. Casson in the midst of the
it is the gold standard for organizations vote, coupled with the highly favorable
application process. “As the
such as ours. Accreditation has many findings of the inspection team,
benefits beyond recognition: it also bar keeps getting raised, we represents a strong endorsement
provides access to a network of too improve our programs of the Aquarium’s fidelity to AZA
professionals who share the latest professional standards in conservation,
of animal care, safety,
information on what’s happening in education, animal husbandry, research
conservation research, and
the wild, in the industry, and in facilities and visitor and community impact,”
customer service.”
across the country for the benefit of said President & CEO Robert W.
all members. Davidson.
CONSERVATION IN THE WILD:
PARTNERING TO PROTECT GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUSES IN PUGET SOUND
The harvest of a giant Pacific octopus (GPO) at a popular public workshop; Aquarium biologists Tim Carpenter
dive spot in West Seattle sparked much discussion across and Kathryn Kegel shared research about the species
the Puget Sound region and in the dive community developed by Aquarium staff as well.
worldwide in late 2012 and early 2013. Many were
In August, the WDFW Commission extended protections
surprised that recreational harvesting of GPOs was
for giant Pacific octopuses in Puget Sound by prohibiting
legal; in fact, regulations stated that anyone with a valid
the recreational harvest of the species at seven popular
fishing license could take one per day from most areas
diving sites in locations from Whidbey Island to Tacoma.
of the Sound.
Combined, the sites amount to over 1,300 acres of
In response, the Aquarium agreed with State agencies subtidal waters and represent a 65 percent increase in
that it was time to review GPO management options. nearshore marine protected areas.
The effort to determine the best management approach
Giant Pacific octopuses are the largest species of octopus
was led by the State of Washington; partners included
in the world. While they’re found along the U.S. coastline
the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
from California to Alaska, the Sound’s shallower waters
(WDFW), the state Department of Natural Resources,
allow them to be seen more easily by divers. Giant Pacific
the Seattle Aquarium and other community entities.
octopuses are one of the main diving attractions in the
Seattle Aquarium Conservation Manager Mark Plunkett
Sound. Preserving their populations at popular dive sites
served on a 12-person advisory group for six months to
helps ensure that people can continue to closely observe
provide input to the WDFW Commission. The Aquarium
and appreciate them for years to come.
served as a host for advisory group meetings and a
SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2013 8
2013 Seattle Aquarium
animal husbandry
highlights
• Received donations of live corals
that had been confiscated by the
RATFISH REARING MILESTONE U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• Accepted and placed on exhibit a
The Seattle Aquarium hatched a captive-bred ratfish in 2013, resulting in
rehabilitated black-bellied plover.
a longevity record for the captive propagation of this species.
• Planned and implemented local
Spotted ratfish, Hydrolagus colliei, are cartilaginous fishes (meaning their
and tropical collecting and animal
skeletons are composed of cartilage) related to sharks, rays, and skates. acquisitions.
Little is known about the early years of this species because, in the wild,
• Increased the Seattle Aquarium
they hatch 200–300 feet below the surface.
veterinary position to full-time and
Notes Director of Life Sciences C.J. Casson, “This was a significant milestone developed a more comprehensive
in the captive rearing community. Many skates and rays are reared in veterinary program.
captivity and serve as educational ambassadors at institutions across the • Worked with a variety of outside
country with little to no impact on the environment. Continuing these veterinarians to build a team of
efforts will help the Aquarium move closer to being able to display our local specialists to offer assistance to
ratfish in a similar way.” He adds, “We were excited to learn more about this Aquarium animals.
animal’s developmental stages so we can accurately interpret its natural • Provided veterinary medical
history to our guests and add to the scientific understanding of this species.” assistance for a large research
project to assess the declining and
endangered population of Steller
sea lions in the western Aleutian
Islands by the National Marine
Mammal Laboratory and NOAA.
• Maintained six leadership positions
in AZA or like-minded conservation
organizations.
9 SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2013
EDUCATION & CONSERVATION
SOLAR ELECTRICITY COMES TO THE AQUARIUM
In partnership with Seattle City Light, the
Seattle Aquarium completed installation of
a 49-kilowatt-hour photovoltaic array on the
roof of Pier 59 in the summer of 2013. The array
became operational in December.
The Seattle Aquarium is among approximately
a dozen U.S. zoos and aquariums that are
adopting solar power. At 247 panels, our array
is one of the largest in country. “Reducing
carbon emissions is the most important thing
we can do to mitigate the effects of climate
change, and the Aquarium aims to do its
part,” comments the Aquarium’s Director of
Conservation & Education Jim Wharton. “Using
clean, green energy supports healthy marine
ecosystems by reducing our carbon footprint.
bill credits correlated to the electricity generated by
It also supports one of our key messages: that people are
the project. All 1,850 units sold in six weeks. A small
working together to preserve Puget Sound through both
portion of the system is funded by City Light’s “Green
individual actions and community initiatives.”
Up” program that provides direct usage of the electricity
Most of the panels produce electricity for City Light’s
for the Aquarium. In 2020, when the Community Solar
“Community Solar” participants. In the fall of 2013, City
program ends, the Aquarium will receive 100 percent of
Light customers were offered the chance to pay for
the electricity generated.
units in the array in exchange for seven years of annual
ENGAGING YOUTH IN OUR MISSION
VIA THE “CREATIVITY INSPIRING
CONSERVATION” PROGRAM
In August of 2013, a group of ambitious high school
students completed the inaugural session of the
Aquarium’s Creativity Inspiring Conservation program,
which aims to empower youth to create awareness of
environmental topics through artistic media including
sculpture, videography, collage/mixed media, creative
writing, screen printing, digital photography, drawing
and acrylic painting.
Miguel Monserate, Shells and Cans, acrylic painting, 2013
Once accepted to the program, the youth artists were
we feel and think about a subject. By teaching young
educated by environmental experts and mentored by
artists about conservation issues and providing them
professional artists as they participated in a series of
professional mentorship, the Creativity Inspiring
classes over a period of three weeks. The finished art
Conservation program works to help young artists find
pieces were displayed at an evening reception at the
their voices as advocates for the ocean,” notes Youth
Aquarium. Participation in the program was free to
Engagement Coordinator Dave Glenn. “Programs like this
students and all materials were provided.
show that nearly anyone can use their time, talent and
“Artists have an incredible potential to influence how energy to make a difference for our ocean.”
SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2013 10