The Aquarium of the Pacific (AOP) is a world-class aquarium with over 1.5 million visitors annually. It is the second most-attended cultural institution in the greater Los Angeles area and the fifth most-attended aquarium in the United States. Its mission is to instill a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its habitants, and ecosystems. Through its 19 major habitats and 32 exhibits, it educates, engages, entertains, and informs youth and adults about environmental and conservation issues to help promote actions and awareness that will safeguard the precious marine environment now and in the future.
The Pacific Life Foundation began its partnership with the Aquarium of the Pacific nearly ten years ago when it worked in collaboration to develop the exhibit Whales: Voices in the Sea. The exhibit explores the sounds of a variety of whales including the humpback, sperm, gray, blue beaked, and Northern right whales and provides a unique opportunity to listen to whale calls, watch videos of whales, learn about conservation issues, and see interviews with scientists. AOP was the first to display the Whales exhibit which is now in six other venues across the country. The exhibit can also be viewed online at http://www.voicesinthesea.org/.
The Foundation also partnered with AOP to develop and implement the Seafood for the Future program, which ensures that more sustainable seafood is offered in restaurants and markets in Southern California. To learn more about this innovative program and to gain access to an educational seafood guide, visit http://www.seafoodforthefuture.org/ .
The Aquarium of the Pacific was awarded the Pacific Life Foundation's Walter B. Gerken Community Service Award at the Foundation's annual Grants Reception on January 23, 2012.
To learn more about the Aquarium of the Pacific go to
http://www.aquariumofthepacific.org