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New England Aquarium Trip Blog 2015

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Kim Wind

  • Marine protected areas like the Phoenix Islands can be used to protect endangered species like this sea turtle.

  • Students enjoy the sharks and rays touch tank at the beginning of our visit.

  • A delicate ballet plays out in NEAq's famous jellyfish exhibit.

  • African penguins greet visitors as they enter the aquarium. These birds can be indirectly threatened when their prey species are overfished.

  • These lake salmon evolved in land-locked areas, so they do not have the instinct to migrate to the sea. This was important to aquarium staff because migrating fish would not be happy in this tank.

On October 9th, 2015, students from ENVS 17: Marine Policy traveled to the New England Aquarium (NEAq) in Boston to explore the exhibits and learn about the research, conservation, and education activities of the Aquarium. The trip is energizing to students and provides those who have not had much interaction with the ocean with the opportunity to directly experience the animals, plants, and ecosystems that we study. Analysis of the Aquarium’s educational activities on-site as well as talks from Aquarium experts provide real-world examples of NGO activities that affect policy-making on oceans issues. Students are further challenged to considered the efficacy and ethics associated with aquariums more broadly, including environmental impacts from the ornamental fish trade. All students process what they’ve learned by blogging about the trip. To see the complete blog please go to http://sites.dartmouth.edu/websterlab/teaching/new-england-aquarium-trip-blog-2015/.