Closed since the day after Labor Day due to roof leaks, the fish at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium are ready to welcome visitors once again, which can number up to 1,000 on weekends. Financed for ten years by UCLA until March 2003, funding now comes from Heal the Bay, private foundations and grants. Emily Pratt, Public Education Coordinator, said, “The greatest benefit to children is becoming aware of all the marine life that exists in the Santa Monica Bay.”
Located under the carousel, the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is virtually a living schoolroom offering marine education programs for K-12 students and their teachers. Young visitors are encouraged to touch some of the ocean animals such as a sticky sea anemone or a starfish. “By being exposed to marine life,” Pratt comments, “children begin to understand the importance of protecting our oceans.” With some marine life in danger of becoming extinct in our lifetime, the work of the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is vital to the preservation of our ocean inhabitants.
For more information, and to make reservations, call 310.393.6149 x105.
