BEACH CLEANUP 2008
For the past 3 years, Adventure Aquarium has partnered with Clean Ocean Action to recruit volunteers for two beach cleanups a year, in April and October. Thanks to those who helped us at our April 26 Beach Sweep. Won't you join us on October 18 from 9:00a.m.-12:30p.m. in Ventnor, NJ? More details will follow in September. This is part of our ongoing “Fins for the Future” conservation programs, which are essential in the fight against ocean pollution.
“Adventure Aquarium whole-heartedly supports conservation efforts like the beach cleanups,” said Ann Marie Bisagno, Supervisor of Birds and Mammals and Captain of the beach cleanup team. “I strongly encourage everyone to come out to a beach cleanup. If each of us took a few minutes to pick up trash, just imagine the positive impact we would have on the local environment and the animals that live in and around us.”
The trash collected during the beach cleanups is analyzed and the results are used to evaluate the sources of pollution and educate citizens, businesses and corporations on debris found on New Jersey’s shores. Ideally, this and future programs will motivate people to reduce ocean pollution. Click here for info on 2007 Beach Sweeps.
World Ocean Day
June 2008
Adventure Aquarium
Join Adventure Aquarium as we celebrate World Ocean Day and introduce you to ways of making positive change to the environment and start a legacy of ocean protection. See Crafts, displays and activities for guests by several conservation organizations, witness Ocean ‘n Motion check presentation to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center for their efforts in marine mammal conservation, meet our volunteer divers and learn about their dive equipment and methods to care for the aquarium’s animals and get up close to an artificial reef and a Rain Water Pollution interactive brought to you by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Horseshoe Crab Efforts
Would you like to help save horseshoe crabs? The horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) population has been in steady decline over the past 20 years and is now close to being officially threatened. Adventure Aquarium has joined the research efforts now based out of the University of Delaware to try to understand this decline and take steps to reverse it. The reduction in horseshoe crabs has caused a decline in many species of migrating birds, who depend on the horseshoe crabs' nutritious eggs during their long journeys. Adventure Aquarium staff helps count crabs around the new and full moons in May and June, since that is when most of the spawning is done. You can help when you are at the beach by turning over live crabs if they have flipped on their backs. It is best to place them back in the water. Additionally you can clean up debris found on the beach, since that debris disturbs the crabs' spawning activities. Sometimes simply explaining how valuable these animals are to the ecosystem to unaware beach walkers, especially children, also helps protect the crabs.
