NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM CORPORATION
Programs
New England Aquarium Initiatives
EXHIBITION: THE AQUARIUM IS A MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER 180 NON-PROFIT CORPORATION FORMED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPERATING A PUBLIC AQUARIUM IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. THE MISSION OF THE AQUARIUM IS TO BE A CATALYST FOR GLOBAL CHANGE THROUGH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, COMMITMENT TO MARINE ANIMAL CONSERVATION, LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION, INNOVATIVE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY FOR VITAL AND VIBRANT OCEANS. IN ADDITION TO ITS EXHIBITS, THE AQUARIUM OPERATES THE SIMONS THEATRE, GIFT SHOP, CAFE, CATERED EVENTS, EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SPONSORED PROGRAMMING IN MARINE RESEARCH, CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION. THE AQUARIUM RELIES ON ADMISSIONS REVENUE, RETAIL SALES TO ITS VISITORS AND PRIVATE GIFTS AND GRANTS FOR THE MAJORITY OF ITS OPERATIONS. THESE REVENUES AND SUPPORT ARE PRIMARILY DERIVED FROM VISITORS AND DONORS FROM THE GREATER BOSTON AREA, THE NEW ENGLAND REGION AND TOURISTS TO THE CITY.2022 NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS:SEAAHEAD, INC. AND THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM'S BLUESWELL COHORT II WRAPPED UP THEIR PROGRAM WITH A PRESENTATION OF THE INNOVATIVE BLUETECH PROJECTS. THE ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS IN THE SECOND COHORT PRESENTED IDEAS RANGING FROM RESTORING KELP HABITATS TO PLASTIC RECYCLING AND DIGITAL OFFSHORE WIND SOLUTIONS AT DEMO DAY, THE CULMINATION OF THE 20-WEEK INCUBATOR PROGRAM. THE INNOVATIVE INCUBATOR PROGRAM SUPPORTS EARLY-STAGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN BLUETECH, AIMING TO BRIDGE GAPS AMONG INNOVATORS, OCEAN EXPERTS, INDUSTRIES, AND THE VENTURE CAPITAL COMMUNITY AND ENABLING A PATH TOWARD COMMERCIALIZATION.SENIOR SCIENTIST AND CHAIR OF THE SPATIAL ECOLOGY, MAPPING, AND ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (ECOMAP) AT THE ANDERSON CABOT CENTER FOR OCEAN LIFE, DR. JESSICA REDFERN, TESTIFIED BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE US HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES ON A BILL TO ASSIST IN THE CONSERVATION OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE AND A BILL TO ESTABLISH PROGRAMS TO REDUCE THE IMPACTS OF VESSEL TRAFFIC AND UNDERWATER NOISE ON MARINE MAMMALS. IN JULY, DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HEALTH, DR. CHARLES INNIS, TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATER, OCEANS, AND WILDLIFE IN SUPPORT OF THE SEA TURTLE RESCUE ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2022, WHICH ESTABLISHES A FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAM TO PAY FOR THE RECOVERY, CARE, AND TREATMENT OF STRANDED SEA TURTLES AROUND THE COUNTRY TO FILL A CRUCIAL GAP IN SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION. THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM AND SOUTH CAROLINA AQUARIUM ON INTRODUCING THIS BILL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND WITH SENATOR MARKEY ON THE SENATE VERSION OF THE BILL.THE AQUARIUM CELEBRATED THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TEEN INTERNSHIP PROGRAMMAKING IT THE LONGEST-RUNNING PAID TEEN PROGRAM AMONG US AQUARIUMS. SINCE HOSTING THE FIRST TWO TEENS HIRED THROUGH THE SUMMER TEEN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR BOSTON CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS BACK IN 1992, MORE THAN 2,500 STUDENTS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE AQUARIUM'S TEEN INTERN PROGRAMS. THIS YEAR, 34 TEEN INTERNS LEARNED ALL ABOUT MARINE SCIENCE, CLIMATE SCIENCE, PUBLIC SPEAKING, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE.IN 2022, WE FOCUSED ON CONTINUING TO IMPROVE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE WITH NOT ONLY PROGRAMMING IN THE AQUARIUM (ADMISSION REQUIRED) BUT ALSO WITH FREE PROGRAMMING IN OUR SIMONS THEATRE AND ON CENTRAL WHARF PLAZA, SUCH AS A PHOTO EXHIBITION OF NEARBY STELLWAGEN BANK NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY. ADDITIONALLY, AS AN ORGANIZATION LOCATED ON A WHARF ALONG BOSTON HARBOR, THE AQUARIUM RECOGNIZES ITS DUTY, AND THAT OF ALL DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT ORGANIZATIONS, TO PREPARE FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE, WHILE ALSO ENSURING THE AQUARIUM AND THE ENTIRE DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT REMAIN WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE, AND ACCESSIBLE SPACES FOR ALL VISITORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THIS PROGRAMMING ENGAGED AND INSPIRED GUESTS AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO PROTECT THE BLUE PLANET; STRENGTHENED SCIENCE LEARNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH; AND ADVANCED STRATEGIC PLAN PRIORITIES.THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED IN 2022 ON THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE FRONT:DURING THE 2021/2022 COLD-STUNNING SEASON, A RECORD NUMBER OF LIVE SEA TURTLES WERE FOUND STRANDED ON CAPE COD BEACHES. THE AQUARIUM'S QUINCY ANIMAL CARE CENTER TOOK IN 525 SEA TURTLE PATIENTS, WHICH INCLUDED THE SECOND-LARGEST EVER INTAKE OF 430 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED KEMP'S RIDLEY SEA TURTLES. THE SEASON ALSO REPRESENTED THE SECOND-LARGEST INTAKE OF LOGGERHEADS, WITH 76 ARRIVING FOR CARE AT THE SEA TURTLE HOSPITAL. DURING THE SUMMER, 60 REHABILITATED SEA TURTLES WERE RELEASED BACK INTO THE OCEAN OFF OF CAPE COD.GROWING NUTRITIOUS FOODS IS A NEW EXHIBIT IN THE BLUE PLANET ACTION CENTER HIGHLIGHTING AQUARISTS' WORK TO GROW HIGH-QUALITY FOOD FOR THE AQUARIUM'S MANY MARINE ANIMALS. RAISING FOOD FOR OUR ANIMALS HELPS TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE, BIO-SECURE FOOD SOURCE FREE OF CONTAMINANTS. THE HUSBANDRY AND SUSTAINABILITY TEAM RAISES SILVERSIDE FISH, WHICH ARE A MAJOR FOOD SOURCEOVER 12 POUNDS OF SILVERSIDES ARE FED TO AQUARIUM ANIMALS EACH DAYAND THEY ARE PURCHASED FROM VENDORS IN LARGE QUANTITIES. OVER 2,000 JUVENILE SILVERSIDES HAVE BEEN RAISED IN-HOUSE IN THE AQUARIUM'S QUINCY ANIMAL CARE CENTER.ACCLAIMED UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER KEITH ELLENBOGEN BROUGHT THE RICH AND SURPRISING BIODIVERSITY OF MARINE LIFE OFF THE MASSACHUSETTS COASTINCLUDING GREAT WHITE SHARKS, HUMPBACK WHALES, SEABIRDS, PLANKTON, AND NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALESUP CLOSE FOR VISITORS TO SEE IN HIS FREE OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT SPACE TO SEA: A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY INTO STELLWAGEN BANK. TO MARK THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF STELLWAGEN BANK NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY, 50 OF ELLENBOGEN'S LARGE-SCALE PHOTOGRAPHS WERE ON VIEW OUTSIDE THE AQUARIUM'S SIMONS THEATRE AND ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE AQUARIUM'S BUILDING ALONGSIDE THE HARBORWALK.THE AQUARIUM'S FREE LECTURE SERIES, PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM THE LOWELL INSTITUTE, HOSTED AVARIETY OF SPEAKERS FROM DR. JESS ADKINS, A CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHER, TO ACADEMY AWARD-WINNINGFILMMAKER AND AUTHOR CRAIG FOSTER AND PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING SCIENCE WRITER DR. SYLVIA EARLE. THESE WELL-ATTENDED EVENTS CENTERED ON OCEAN ACIDIFICATION, MARINE ANIMALS, CONSERVATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.WORLD OCEAN DAY, THE OUR HERITAGE OUR PLANET EVENT, THE FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW FESTIVAL, AND THE SCOUT FESTIVAL WERE SOME OF THE FREE PROGRAMMING OFFERED BY THE AQUARIUM IN EFFORTS TO CONNECT WITH VISITORS, AND INSPIRE AND DEVELOP OCEAN ADVOCATES. ON WORLD OCEAN DAY, ACTIVITIES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE AQUARIUMFROM THE "ASK A SCIENTIST BOOTH" TO PRESENTATIONS AND AN INTERACTIVE OCEAN BANNER WHERE VISITORS WERE INVITED TO PLEDGE THEIR SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING OUR OCEANBROUGHT ATTENTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF OCEAN CONSERVATION. IN OCTOBER, THE AQUARIUM HOSTED AN IN-PERSON FILM SCREENING TO KICK OFF THE HISPANIC ACCESS FOUNDATION'S SECOND ANNUAL OUR HERITAGE, OUR PLANET FILM WEEK IN CELEBRATION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. AS PART OF THE FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW FESTIVAL, THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM HELD "COASTLINES & COCKTAILS," A FREE EVENT TO HOST BLACK, INDIGENOUS, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR (BIPOC) YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR THOUGHTS ON CREATING A DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT FOR ALL AS WELLAS A SPACE WHERE ALL FEEL A SENSE OF BELONGING. THE SIMONS THEATRE ALSO HOSTED THE SIXTH ANNUAL SCOUT FILM FESTIVAL, WHICH SUPPORTS, EMPOWERS, AND CONNECTS EMERGING FILMMAKERS AND VISUAL STORYTELLERS WORLDWIDE AGED 24 AND UNDER WORKING IN SHORT FILM, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND INNOVATION.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$23.1MOcean Science Research and Policy
IN 2022, THE ANDERSON CABOT CENTER FOR OCEAN LIFE AT THE NEW ENGLANDAQUARIUM (ANDERSON CABOT CENTER; "AQUARIUM") CONTINUED ON OUR LEGACY OF CONDUCTING APPLIED OCEAN SCIENCE RESEARCH, OCEAN POLICY AND TECHNICAL ADVISING/MARKET-BASED SOLUTIONS TO DELIVER ON OUR MISSION AND PROMOTE A VIBRANT AND VITAL OCEAN FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.SELECT 2022 NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS:OUR BLUESWELL PROGRAM, AN OCEAN INNOVATION START-UP INCUBATOR, COMPLETED ITS SECOND COHORT (EIGHT OCEAN TECH START-UPS), AND INITIATED ITS THIRD (SIX OCEAN TECH START-UPS) DURING 2022. THE AQUARIUM'S ROLE IN THIS PROGRAM IS TO GUIDE START-UPS ACROSS TECH SECTORS IN ADOPTING OCEAN-FRIENDLY PRACTICES AND METRICS, AID IN THE DILIGENCE PROCESS, AND TO SERVE AS THE FISCAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE PROGRAM.OUR OCEAN POLICY TEAM WORKED TO INCORPORATE OUR SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS AND EXPERTISE INTO THE DRAFTING OF THE 5TH NATIONAL CLIMATE ASSESSMENT, WHICH RESULTED IN NEAQ MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH CITATIONS THROUGHOUT THE DRAFT. OCEAN POLICY ALSO INFORMED THE MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION COALITION'S PROPOSED PROVISIONS TO THE MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT BASED ON NEAQ MARINE MAMMAL CLIMATE RESEARCH. EARTH DAY PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE OUR CLIMATE LEADERSHIP, WITH NEAQ POSITIONED AS A FELLOW LEADER OF SIGNATORIES TO THE AQUARIUM CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP CLIMATE COMMITMENT TO WORK TOWARDS THE INSTITUTION'S NET ZERO EMISSIONS GOALS. OCEAN POLICY WAS ALSO FEATURED ON THE NBC BOSTON EARTH DAY SPECIAL REGARDING THE RAPIDLY WARMING GULF OF MAINETHE MARINE CONSERVATION ACTION FUND (MCAF) AWARDED OVER $246,000 FOR 18 CONSERVATION PROJECTS SPEARHEADED BY LOCAL LEADERS IN 14 COUNTRIES. THESE INCLUDED USING DRONES TO STUDY AND PROTECT SEA TURTLE NESTING BEACHES IN PUERTO RICO; WORKING WITH FISHERS TO UNDERSTAND IMPACTS ON CRITICALLY ENDANGERED GUITARFISH IN INDONESIA; AND, BUILDING THE FIRST PHOTO-ID CATALOG OF CRITICALLY ENDANGERED HUMPBACK DOLPHINS IN SENEGAL. MCAF WELCOMED FIVE NEW FELLOWS INTO THE MCAF FELLOWS PROGRAM AND BEGAN PLANNING ITS SECOND GLOBAL FELLOWS SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER 2023. MCAF ALSO LAUNCHED NEW GRANT OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY OF FELLOWS ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR EFFORTS TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF OCEAN LEADERS. THE MCAF DIRECTOR GAVE AN INVITED TALK AT THE UN OCEAN CONFERENCE (UNOC) IN LISBON ON NEAQ-MCAF'S UN OCEAN DECADE ENDORSED PROJECT, "THE RIPPLE EFFECT" WHICH IS FOCUSED ON CAPACITY SHARING IN COMMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION AND RUN IN COLLABORATION WITH MCAF FELLOWS. AT UNOC, THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM BECAME A SIGNATORY ON A DECLARATION PUT FORTH BY THE ALLIANCE OF SMALL ISLAND STATES (AOSIS) THAT AIMS TO PROPEL SCIENCE-BASED OCEAN SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE PARTNERSHIPS IN SMALL ISLAND NATIONS.SCIENTISTS FROM THE ANDERSON CABOT CENTER PUBLISHED THREE PAPERS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO OUR KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE-DRIVEN CHANGES IN RIGHT WHALE HABITAT USE AND HELP US ENSURE THAT THIS SPECIES IS PROTECTED IN THE FUTURE. TWO PAPERS FOCUSED ON CAPE COD BAY AND SUGGEST THAT CLIMATE CHANGE HAS RESULTED IN THE PEAK USAGE OF CAPE COD BAY BY RIGHT WHALES OCCURRING LATER IN THE SEASON AND IN A HIGHER ABUNDANCE OF RIGHT WHALES. THE THIRD PAPER HIGHLIGHTS ANOTHER RIGHT WHALE DISTRIBUTION SHIFT THAT IS LIKELY CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE: RIGHT WHALES HAVE RETURNED TO A HISTORIC HABITAT SOUTH OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET.ANDERSON CABOT CENTER AND ADDITIONAL AQUARIUM STAFF PUBLISHED 38 TOTAL PEER-REVIEWED PAPERS/BOOK CHAPTERS IN SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS/BOOK VOLUMES IN 2022.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$6MSea Turtle Rescue and Research
EDUCATION AND RESCUE:THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM HAS TWO DISTINCTIVE PROGRAMS WITH SEA TURTLES: WE RUN ONE OF THE LARGEST SEA TURTLE RESCUE OPERATIONS IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES AND WE ARE PART OF A FIRST-RESPONDER NETWORK FOR LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLES THAT GET ENTANGLED IN FISHING LINES. BOTH OF THESE PROGRAMS HELP MAINTAIN SEA TURTLE POPULATIONS AND PRODUCE RESEARCH. - THE AQUARIUM'S SEA TURTLE HOSPITAL IN QUINCY, MASS., TREATED 532 RESCUED SEA TURTLES RECOVERED FROM BEACHES ALONG CAPE COD BAY DURING THE 2022 (INTO EARLY 2023) STRANDING SEASON. IN ADDITION TO ADMINISTERING TO CRITICALLY ENDANGERED KEMP'S RIDLEY TURTLES (TOTAL OF 452), OUR SEA TURTLE HOSPITAL TREATED LOGGERHEAD (26) AND GREEN (54) TURTLES SUFFERING FROM LIFE-THREATENING MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING PNEUMONIA AND DEHYDRATION. THE HOSPITAL OPERATED AMID STRICT SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES, INSTITUTING NEW POPULATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED CONDITIONS TO MORE EFFICIENTLY STABILIZE TURTLES BEFORE TRANSPORTING THEM TO SECONDARY FACILITIES WHERE THEY COULD BE RELEASED BACK INTO WARMER WATERS.- SEVERAL MEMBERS FROM OUR ANIMAL HEALTH, RESCUE AND REHABILITATION, AND ACCOL TEAMS CONTINUED OUR WORK ON SURGICALLY IMPLANTING ACOUSTIC TAGS IN REHABILITATED LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES THAT WERE SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASED BACK TO THE WILD. THIS NOVEL PROCEDURE ENABLED OUR SCIENTISTS TO MONITOR REHABILITATED SEA TURTLES AND RECORD THEIR MIGRATORY PATTERNS AND PREFERRED FEEDING GROUNDS, FOR UP TO A DECADE. DATA COLLECTED TO DATE WAS ANALYZED DURING 2022, AND AN INITIAL MANUSCRIPT ON THE TAGGING PROTOCOL AND TRACKING DATA TO DATE WAS PREPARED TO SUBMIT FOR PUBLICATION.- WE CONTINUED OUR WORK ON ENDANGERED LEATHERBACK TURTLES ENTANGLED IN FISHING GEAR. WE TYPICALLY EVALUATE, DISENTANGLE, AND OUTFIT THE TURTLES WITH ELECTRONIC TAGS THAT ALLOW RESEARCHERS TO ASSESS SURVIVORSHIP OVER THE 30 DAYS AFTER DISENTANGLEMENT, AND TRACK MIGRATION PATTERNS.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$1M
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