Nov 11: Riverhead Foundation, Iron Pier, Fish Ladder, Big Duck

Riverhead Foundation
by Peter Larios

Today our class went to the Riverhead Aquarium, where we learned about the various biology’s and conservation efforts of marine species common to Long Island. One group of these animals is sea turtles, which is composed of 8 distinct species, all classified as either threatened or endangered. The sea turtles commonly found in our waters are the Atlantic Green, Leatherback, Loggerhead, as well as the Kemps Ridley. All of these species are found during the summer months from May to as late as November, when temperatures drop (“Sea Turtles of New York State”).

The largest of these species is the Leatherback, growing thousands of pounds and undertaking migrations across the Atlantic Ocean. Although being one of the largest sea turtles, the leatherback feeds only on jellyfish, making it susceptible to ingestion of plastic (“Sea Turtles of New York State”). One of the more common species around our coast is the Atlantic Green, which feeds both on plant life as well as animal matter. Common off our south shore during the summer, the green is second in size to the leatherback, growing up to 5 feet long and 500 pounds (“Sea Turtles of New York State”). The loggerhead is next in size and abundance, growing up to 250 pounds and 4 feet long. Unlike the leatherback, this turtle feeds on bivalves, eelgrass, mollusks, and crustaceans. The Kemps Ridley is regarded as the most endangered species, only nesting on a few select beaches in the Gulf of Mexico. This species consumes squid, clams, snails, and some marine plants. It is also the smallest of the species common to Long Island, growing only to about 100 pounds (“Sea Turtles of New York State”).

This is a photograph of the X ray room used by veterinarians to treat injured sea turtles and seals. The x ray image on the right is of a green sea turtle that was found cold stunned off of our coasts. Other threats to sea turtles include overharvesting and destruction of marine habitat.

This table held a collection of sea turtles shells, collected from specimens that stranded on our shores. The shell closest to the camera is a Hawksbill turtle, known for its beautiful and ornate shell colors. Rarely found in our waters, the hawksbill has been hunted for centuries for its colorful shells.

This injured green sea turtle will not be allowed to return back to the wild as it cannot survive without human help. Green sea turtles are very common off our shores during the summer months, later migrating down south in autumn. Greens are also one of the most common species treated at the rehabilitation center.

In this room blood and tissue samples are taken from injured sea turtles and pinnipeds. Doing so allows veterinary staff to get a baseline before any procedures are done. More on threats to sea turtles and conservation efforts can be found on other pages within the blog.

All species of sea turtles found on Long Island can also be found throughout the east coast. Leatherbacks, for example, can be found all the way from the Gulf of Mexico to Nova Scotia. The green sea turtle, leatherback, and loggerhead all nest from Florida to North Carolina. The Kemps Ridley nests only on a few secluded beaches on the Mexican side of the Gulf of Mexico

Citation: “Sea Turtles of New York State." Http://www.dec.ny.gov/. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.

Threats to the Conservation of Sea Turtles
by Michelle Barbosa

The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation is a research program created with the goal of promoting the conservation and protection of marine mammals and sea turtles along the east coast and the waters surrounding New York. In the water and on land, sea turtles encounter a number of threats to species survival. The Riverhead Foundation serves to rescue and rehabilitate animals that are at risk of extinction due to threats such as habitat destruction and pollution. Habitat degradation is a major problem facing hatchling sea turtles. Coastal development has led to the loss of many nesting beaches which directly affects the ability for female turtles to lay nests and, therefore, impacts the number of hatchlings recruited to adult populations. Additionally, coastal development often results in artificial lighting close to the shoreline which can act to confuse hatchling sea turtles that rely on the bright moon to navigate to the sea. Plastic pollution is also a major threat to sea turtles in all waters as it can entangle turtles and inhibit their swimming to the surface or away from predators. Plastic pollution has been found to affect all sea turtle species and all age classes.

Though the prognosis for sea turtle populations may seem grim, the Riverhead Foundation has increased the conservation of these species and others through educational programs aimed at raising awareness of the threats and how we can help. Conservation can be a successful method for species protection when the animals in need of protection are charismatic megafauna. Charismatic megafauna are animals that we use to drive conservation and environmental protection efforts because we sympathize with the animals due to the fact that these animals are often attractive and play on our emotions. When people are attracted to the charismatic megafauna, the conservation goals and needs of the species can be spread through social media in order to bring greater awareness to the cause. In this way, how we care about animals shapes how we protect them, but conservation can be tricky when there are opposing beliefs surrounding a species’ place in the environment. For instance, fisherman and scientists have very different views on the conservation needs of a species, so the polarized opinions can influence the degree to which species are protected. It is important that conservation is a balance of ethics and morals so we that can both protect an endangered species and so that we do not inadvertently negatively affect the people dependent on sea turtles for survival. The Riverhead Foundation acts to conserve sea turtle and marine mammal species in a manner that acts in favor of the greatest good for the greatest amount of people for the greatest amount of time. At the Riverhead Foundation, conservation goals are met through direct action (by rescuing and rehabilitating threatened organisms) and through education programs to teach the public how we can make a difference in the survival of threatened and endangered species. Actions taken by organizations such as the Riverhead Foundation will help to improve the future of endangered and threatened organisms like sea turtles.


Chestnut
by Joe Unsworth

During our tour of the Riverhead Foundation Rehab facility, we were greeted by an unexpectedly charismatic guest. A single Atlantic Green Sea Turtle juvenile ambled around its large tank in what can only be described as the aquatic equivalent of limping. The turtle’s shell bulged about 2/3 from the head and the offending area seemed to be drawing the turtle towards the top of the water, like a string was constantly pulling on it. In spite of this, Chestnut continued to protest, pulling himself down with a strong showing from his front flippers in order to reach his seagrass stand-in, a lead weight with a sliced bell pepper attached.

Chestnut, the Atlantic Green Sea Turtle. (Source: http://riverhead-foundation.mybigcommerce.com/)

The Atlantic Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is listed as endangered by the IUCN and is protected in most countries within their range. Nonetheless, they still suffer from unintentional anthropogenic impacts such as pollution and boat traffic. They get their name not from the color of their shell, which is typically brown, but from the color of their flesh. As they consume seagrasses, pigments from the grass enters their skin, giving it a distinctive, “photosynthetic” hue. 

The Conservation Ethic of Long Island
by Andrew Vernon

On our most recent trip we went to Riverhead we visited a number of various sites that were all linked to a central theme: conservation. Our first stop was the Riverhead Foundation, the organization responsible for the rescue of marine mammals and sea turtles in NY waters. Here we learned about the rescue process and how they care for the animals once they are rescued. After that we traveled north to a beach on the Long Island Sound where we discussed the effects of an offshore platform used for refueling ships. A fish and eel ladder was our next stop. These structures were built to allow migrating fish to swim up the Peconic River, over manmade dams, to spawn. We ended our trip at the Big Duck in Flanders, which was once used to attract people to duck farms, where we discussed conservation on LI in further detail.

Each of these locations gives insight into the different types of ecological thinking out on the east of Long Island. People out here have begun to realize the importance of the importance the environment has, both recreationally, economically, and functionally. This in evidenced by where we visited to today. The Riverhead Foundation might be the most obvious example on a conservation ethic, where people are actively rescuing and rehabilitating injured animals. The fish ladder is another good example of preserving wildlife. By installing these fish ladders populations of American eel and alewives will hopefully increase, thereby increasing the productivity of their ecosystem. Another example perhaps not covered on our trip is the plastic bag ban that in present in many areas of the east end. All these initiatives and many more contribute to a new attitude toward the environment, with its own unique Long Island variation.

Conservation with the help of Fish ladders
by Jessica Massaro

The Peconic River located on the east end of Long Island is an important local estuary. On our trip we visited a part of the river located on Edwards Avenue in Calverton NY where the newly installed Peconic Fish Ladder is located. The Fish ladder was installed as a way to help move forward in the conservation efforts of Alewives and the American Eel.

New York Department of Environmental Conservation sign at the location of the dam.

The Dam that is located on Edwards Avenue.

The Alewife is an anadromous fish, as an adult it lives at sea and then swims up river to spawn. They have historically used the majority of the Peconic river to spawn, but after the installation of many dams in the river they were no longer able to swim up river to spawn leaving very little spawning area to use. The dams were originally put in place to create electricity but are no longer needed. Since the dams have been up for so long the existing bodies of water and the environment could be altered if the dams were to be removed so the best option is to install a fish ladder. The ladders are on a more natural and gradual incline allowing the Alewives to make there way further up river. The American Eel also migrates up river but the migrate there as juveniles and live their adult lives in the estuary and making their way back to sea to spawn, they are catadromous fish. They to cannot make there way over the dams in place so an Eel ladder was also put in to place at the same location.

Fish Ladder, this fish ladder is not as natural as some others. Some fish don’t respond well to concrete or aluminum so this will be a test to see if the Alewives like the ladder.

Eel Ladder, Uses PVC pipes so that the eels can maneuver their way between them for grip making their way up and over the dam.

The fish ladders were built this year 2016 but will probably not see any use for a few more years. This is because there are two more damns located further down river that will need fish ladders installed before they will be able to make their way to these ladders. This will be a way to reopen miles of spawning area for the Alewives, helping to re build the population. This is a great step in the conservation efforts of the east end to help bring back the wildlife natural to the river.

Riverhead/Big Duck
by Lila Glansberg

After we toured the Riverhead Foundation, we stopped at Iron Pier Beach on the North Fork of Long Island.  This beach sits on the south side of the North Fork, so the body of water that you see here is the Long Island Sound.  Here, we learned about geology and the importance of the Sound from Kurt and Tara.  It was a very windy day, and we all bundled up for the lecture. 

You can see some steep cliffs here, just behind Joe.  These cliffs are not unusual on Long Island, and are reminiscent of its glacial history.  The Island was formed by glaciers that pushed sediments into two major moraines: the Ronkonkoma moraine, which makes up the South Fork and was formed during the glaciers’ advancement, and the Harbor Hills moraine, which makes up the North Fork and was formed during the glaciers’ retreat.  Iron Pier Beach sits on the Harbor Hills moraine, and those cliffs clearly show where the glaciers pushed up against the sediments.

This big structure behind Kurt’s hand is a fueling station for large boats that are coming into the Sound.  The Sound gets plenty of boat traffic from large boats of all types.  This fueling station is so that boats don’t have to pull all the way inshore to refuel, which can be difficult.

Here, Tara is educating us on the historical importance of the Sound.  The Sound brings in a lot of revenue in both commercial fishing and recreational activities.  In fact, if the fueling rig in the previous picture was closed for just one day, New York State would lose an estimated $25 million.  This picture is also a prime example of Tara somehow being able to be warm in just a sweatshirt and sandals, while the rest of us are shivering and pulling our scarves up over our heads.

The Sound is also a popular spot for overwintering birds. Unfortunately, they are almost invisible in this picture, but they floating near shore and have small white heads with gray bodies.  Many birds that spend most of their time in the middle of the ocean come closer to shore for the winter.  The Sound as well as the Shinnecock Inlet gets a wide variety of wintering birds, including mallard ducks.  Chris Paparo gives bird tours of the Shinnecock Inlet during the winter if you’re interested in learning more.

Processing the animals
by Lara Cordaro

When an animal first enters the Riverhead Foundation for rehab or injury, the animal is taken in to get a blood sample. By taking blood samples it helps to better identify the problem the animal has encountered in the wild, as well as record keeping for the future. In this room there are also monitors and calibration set ups to test water quality within the tanks. These tests are run daily and sometimes even twice a day! The tests check for temperature, salinity, chlorine levels, and pH levels. After blood samples are taken the animals is then brought into the infirmary where he or she will be assessed through more in depth tests, like x-rays and ultrasounds. This allows seals and turtles to be examined for weight conditions and for proper treatment for any underlying internal issues.

All animals taken in are tagged by the foundation in the infirmary room. Seals and porpoises’ have one tag on their back flipper as well as a microchip underneath their skin. Turtles are given two metal ID tags, one on each of their back flippers. Each tag is unique and contains a different ID number as well as information to contact the riverhead Foundation if the animal is found after a release back into the wild. The Riverhead Foundation aims to keep the animals as wild as possible, so the less human interaction the better! This is for the animals’ safety, if he or she will be returned back to the wild, the adaptations and feeding ability will not be altered. Just outside of the infirmary room there is the kitchen and meal prep room. In this room each animal has their own feeding and medication schedule, as well as a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Feedings are given at the same times each day, and if medicine needs to be administered it is placed in the tail end of the fish. By doing this the feeder can easily identify if the food and meds were eaten. In some cases, animals are tossed their food from behind a wall into their tank, this eliminates the human and food association the animal may develop. This is essential for the animal when placed back in the wild, and reduces risk of becoming injured. For the animals that are not as likely to be returned into the wild, they are clicker trained by the handlers. This allows closer contact if the animals need medical attention for examinations or check-ups.

The Riverhead Foundation is the only facility in New York State to rescue and release marine mammals once fully rehabbed. Releasing back into the wild is the ultimate goal, but unfortunately not all animals are healthy enough to be released back. The animals that are unable to released are then housed here at the foundation for educational purposes or moved to another tank in another facility. As you walk around the Riverhead Foundation looking at the animals, you will notice the four R’s the foundation follows; research, rescue, rehabilitation, and release.

Cold Stunning
by James Macdonald

As summer turns to fall in the Atlantic, water temperatures begin to drop and many marine poikilotherms migrate to warmer waters. Some marine life, tempted by the abundance of sea grass and other delicious food sources, linger and ultimately succumb to the cold. One such example is that of the cold stunning phenomenon in sea turtles. In October, when temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit the environmentally regulated body temperature of the sea turtles drops to a level that can no longer sustain proper body functions. This causes the reptile to lose mobility and in some cases be left stranded the beach.

This doesn’t mean the end for their life as research and care centers centers, such as the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, can rescue and rehabilitate the frozen the cold stunned turtles. This is done by going to the location of a reported case, capturing the immobile reptile, and returning them to a care center. On the way back, the temperature of the turtle is taken and called in to have the carers prepare a water bath slightly warmer than the recorded body temperature. When they reach the facility the turtle is given a full assessment of its current condition, blood samples, measurements, X-rays, even ultra sound, to determine what class of Cold Stun it is. Classes range from 1-4 with 1 being the most responsive and 4 being the least. This is determined by a range of factors including body temperature, response to stimuli, and heart rate. Once the turtles are rehabilitated, deemed healthy enough to release, and local waters return to a suitable temperature, they are tagged with a metal identification tag and taken back to the shores of the Atlantic. Some turtles are given special satellite tags in order to determine if the level of health of the individual was enough to survive and maintain stable behavior patterns.

This whole process is not fueled by researchers alone. Anyone can volunteer to help out and patrol the beaches of Long Island. If a cold stunned sea turtle or any other stranded marine life is found, one can call the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation at 631.369.9829, and report the location and condition of the turtle to begin the whole response process. Most species of sea turtle are endangered and can use all the help they can get.

Cold Stun Rehabilitation Tanks

A Story of Survival
by Christopher Meyer

This week we visited the Riverhead Foundation at the Long Island Aquarium. The Riverhead Foundation ozone of the leading marine mammal rescue organizations on the East Coast. One of the foundation's more frequent visitors are sea turtles. These turtles can be brought in for many health reasons, but two common ones are being cold stunned, or in a type of shock due to low temperature, or hit by both. In some unfortunate cases, both can happen. As often as possible, the foundation attempts to rehabilitate and release the animals they rescue. However, some animals are unable to be safely returned to the wild. This is the case for Rudy, a Kemp's ridley sea turtle. Poor Rudy was severely damaged in a collision with a boat, but rescued by the Riverhead Foundation. Rudy's she’ll was left in a deformed state after the accident, and healed misshapen to an air bubble that got trapped inside. His rear legs no longer function and he has eye problems due to pressure building up behind his eyes. The foundation is currently looking for a caring forever home for Rudy, so if you know anybody with a great deal of love for animals and a rather large spare fish tank, tell them to give the Riverhead Foundation a call! Below you can see Rudy, who still swims around his tank like a champ despite all of his difficulties.

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Riverhead Foundation
by Zach Roselle

One of the stops we took at the Riverhead Foundation was to a tank that housed a blind and deaf seal named Medusa. Medusa is a Gray Seal which is one of four species of seals that live in the waters of Long Island. The other species include the Hooded Seal, the Harp Seal, and the Harbor Seal. Each of these are species of seals that the Riverhead Foundation would tend to. The Gray Seal is a federally protected species with a lifespan of 30-40 years. They have a distinctive horse-like head with colors ranging from black, tan, silver and white. These seals are the largest of the Long Island seals as males can grow to 10 feet and be 880 pounds, while females can grow to 7.5 feet and weigh 550 pounds. The average dive depth is about 239 feet which can last longer than 20 minutes. The Gray Seals feed on schooling fish, squid, octopus, cephalopods and crustaceans while avoiding predators like large sharks, killer whales and humans. Since 1980, there have been 457 stranded Gray Seals in New York.

This is a Harbor Seal which is also found around Long Island. Just like the Gray Seals, the Harbor seals are federally protected and live to about 35 years. These seals are silver to tan to black in color with speckling on the back and a light-colored belly. The males are smaller than the Gray seals as the males grow to 4.5-6 feet and are 245 pounds, and the females are a little smaller as they are 4-5.5 feet and weigh around 175 pounds. The Harbor Seals can dive to an average depth of 650 feet spending an average of 5-8 minutes down there. Their maximum diving depth is around 1.640 feet. The Harbor Seals feed on schooling fish, squid, octopus and crustaceans. Their predators include large sharks, killer whales, polar bears and humans. There have been 722 reported stranded Harbor Seals in New York since 1980.

The Harp Seal are a federally protected species that lives for about 30 years. They have a silver-graybody with a black “Harp” or wishbone shape on their back. The males average size is about 6.3 feet weighing 397 pounds and the females are about 5.6 feet weighing 265 pounds. The average depth that the Harp Seal dives to is about 820 feet, maximizing at 1200 feet. The Harbor seals feed on smaller critters like Decapods, Amphipods, crustaceans, and schooling fish and have the same predators as the Gray and Harbor Seals, Sharks, Killer Whales, Polar Bears and Humans. Since 1980, there have been a reported 931 stranded Harp Seals in New York.

The final seal species found in Long Island waters are the Hooded Seals. These seals are best known for their inflatable sac or “hood” on top of their nose and forehead that is used for aggressive displays and for mating purposes. These too live to about 30 years and are federally protected. They are very large seals as the males grow to 7.5 to 9 feet and weigh on average 827 pounds, while the females grow to 6.5 to 7 feet in length and weigh on average 660 pounds. These seals can dive to depths around 3,280 feet and be under water for up to 50 minutes. However, their average dive depth is 660 feet. The Hooded Seals eat a variety of schooling fish, squid, shrimp, octopus, and crustaceans, while avoiding their predators which are polar bears, sharks, killer whales and humans. The average number of strandings in New York since 1980 are low however at just 117 seals. This could have to do with Long Island waters being the southernmost part of their range.

The Big Duck
by James Loglisci

Our class concluded our trip this week with a visit to Long Island’s Big Duck. The Big Duck was constructed in 1931 by duck farmer, Martin Maurer, as a shop to sell the resources of the Peking duck being raised on the farm. These ducks were imported from China, due to their inability to fly. The Duck was intended to grab the consumer’s attention and attract them to the roadside shop. This was a period where many were moving out of the city and towards the east end of Long Island as the Great Depression left 30% of the country out of work. Here, people like Maurer could make a living off the land and feed themselves and their families.

The Big Duck, located in Flanders, NY, is recognized by the United States on the National Register of Historic Places. This honor was given in 2008, after the Big Duck was returned home to its original location in 2006 after being moved around throughout the years. Flanders is a hamlet in the town of Southampton and is a district without a zip code, leaving the people with the feeling of being overlooked. The Big Duck provides a sense of community to the citizens of Flanders and makes their hamlet feel distinct.

The Coastal Cultural Experience class posing in front of the Big Duck.  The duck’s eyes glow red at night.  Rumor has it that, if one honks their horn as they drive past the duck at midnight, the duck will respond with an ominous quack that can be heard throughout the town.

The back of the Big Duck. The tail is actually modelled after a chicken’s tail feathers as a duck’s were too difficult to emulate.  Legend says that, upon moving the building from its original location, a giant egg was found in the basement!

Class being held on the site of the former Maurer duck farm.  The duck roost can be seen peeking out from behind the old barn.

Our class, learning the history of the Big Duck.  Note the blue and orange coloration of the sign, reminiscent of the Dutch influence on their former colony in New York.

Riverhead

by Helena Nierer

This Friday we were able to tour the Riverhead Foundation. The riverhead foundation is the only organization in New York which rehabilitates and releases sea turtles and marine mammals. One of those animals is the grey seal Medusa. Medusa is a grey seal who came into the foundation in March of 2016. Because she is blind in one eye, she can’t be released into the wild. For the time being she is living at the Riverhead Foundation while they look for a home for her. Because she can’t be released she gets some special treatment from the people at the foundation. The members there feed her on a schedule and train her so that when she does find a “forever home” she will be trained.

When the animals are in the foundation they are given a number. When they are going to be released they are given a name. Originally these names followed no theme. However now each of the names have a common theme. Some of the themes in the past year have been Greek Gods and Goddesses, spices, and Marvel superheroes. The animals are then named by different staff members or people of the community.

Animals that are released can then be adopted by members of the public. The Riverhead Foundation is a non-for profit organization. Adopting animals is one of the ways that the Riverhead Foundation raises money. There are several different amounts you can donate with several different rewards. The rewards can include a biography of your animal, a framed picture, and a small stuffed animal similar to the one you adopted.

Remaining objective from in front of the glass: a moral opinion
by Alexandra Bonecutter

Below: A shoal of bigeye trevally and a few curious yellowfin surgeonfish around the island of Nikumaroro, within the Phoenix Islands Protected Area.

I want to preface first by acknowledging my childhood enjoyment of aquariums. I have no way of knowing whether my present self and overwhelming love for aquatic life and the sea would be so prevailing if it weren't for the time I spent staring with such wonder at the fish, sharks, eels, jellyfish, and so many others behind the glass walls of the Newport Aquarium. In the human experience, it takes a certain degree of such wonder to lead to a means of caring and thus understanding, but when it comes to understanding the oceans, is the practice of keeping living animals in captivity the only way?

Today, the ‘charismatic megafauna’ that live in many public aquariums are non-releasable, rehabilitated animals; often injured as a direct result to human activity. The Riverhead Foundation currently houses three of these charismatic rehab patients: two sea turtles and one sea lion, all of which have been deemed non-releasable and will eventually find permanent homes in aquarium tanks. Though this practice seems to stem directly from the human desire to preserve all life, no matter the resulting consequences, I recognize that ultimately they are geared towards the greater good. The few animals who remain in captivity due to their circumstances, like the turtles and sea lion currently in tanks at the Riverhead Foundation, will eventually fill voids in another aquarium that would otherwise be filled by wild-captured animals that are fit, active members and key elements to their functioning ecosystems. These non-releasable animals fill another void in the perspective of curious and growing minds of humans in landlocked homes, unable to otherwise ever see a seal, tropical fish, or the like in person. The intentions of organizations such as the Riverhead Foundation and Long Island Aquarium are not intending towards injustice or any form of maltreatment of their captive animals. It is the work of aquariums such as the New England Aquarium, and Shedd Aquarium of Chicago that fund wildlife rescue, research, and education efforts. These intentions align with my own, as well as the intentions of many others who practice sustainable lifestyles, but the reality is that practice never quite seems to make perfect.

Are captive animals of any size or intelligence level the means to cultivate a passion for the environment and its vast ecosystems of both flora and fauna?

My raw, emotionally driven reasoning says no. But it is that driven necessity to understand the nature of things as they are today that lead me to Stony Brook University’s marine science lab. I seek to understand issues from the source. I see the practices of zoos and aquariums as an outdated form of education; I see a fine line between viewing a living creature in a safe, well simulated environment and viewing a documentary, or a photo of those same animals in their dynamic natural habitat. I hope to one day discover the balance between education and the moral treatment of animals, with an understanding that there is no way to truly know the mentality of the minds in each creature living behind the glass.

For now, I would encourage aquarium goers to be fully conscious in ticket purchasing. Doing a little research beforehand, avoiding aquariums that are not regulated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and instead supporting those accredited facilities that are also active in conservation funding and marine research, such as the Riverhead Foundation of the Long Island Aquarium and the New England Aquarium of Boston, Mass.

For now, I understand the draw of the masses toward first hand encounters with life in marine ecosystems that are not otherwise accessible. And until a balance is achieved between education, human advancement, and animal rights, I can only continue to help create it.

What can you do to create a meaningful impact in this lifetime?

If you must, find an accredited aquarium near you: https://www.aza.org/find-a-zoo-or-aquarium

Join the Sierra Club: Make a donation of any amount to become a member, sign petitions, and stay up to date on environmental news with this grassroots organization: https://sierraclub.org/

Become an informed consumer, and start to use your dollars where it matter: http://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/a-guide-to-buying-sustainable-fair-trade-and-vegan-clothing/