Annual Review

2017 ANNUAL REVIEW “The Aquarium Society is pleased to share this 2017 edition of the Annual Review highlighting another great year for the North Carolina Aquariums and Jennette’s Pier. With more than 1.3 million annual visitors, the Aquariums continue to be leaders in public education, and conservation while helping fuel the state’s thriving tourism economy. The Aquarium Society is proud of its partnership with the Aquariums in providing much-needed support for these efforts. Thank you for your part in helping make 2017 a record-breaking year for our gift shops and membership programs. Your ongoing support helps keep the Aquariums right where they belong — among the very best public aquariums in the nation.” DINOSAURS RETURN — TO AN AQUARIUM NEAR YOU For the past several years at least one of the Aquariums has featured a DINOSAURS! exhibit as a temporary, seasonal feature. During the summer of 2018, all three locations will have the DINOSAURS! exhibit on display. These animatronic, life-sized dinosaurs not only provide fun for visitors of – Olivia Holding, Chair of the Board all ages, but also add an educational dimension of conservation and preservation to the Aquarium experience. The extinction of the dinosaur offers visitors a glimpse into how quickly a bio-system can be altered and an entire life cycle forever changed.

FORT FISHER PINE KNOLL SHORES ROANOKE ISLAND JENNETTE’S PIER 900 LOGGERHEAD ROAD | KURE BEACH, NC 28449 1 ROOSEVELT BOULEVARD | PINE KNOLL SHORES, NC 28512 374 AIRPORT ROAD | MANTEO, NC 27954 7223 S. VIRGINIA DARE TRAIL | NAGS HEAD, NC 27959 2017 STATS: 2017 STATS: 2017 STATS: 2017 STATS: More than 475,000 Visitors More than 390,000 Visitors More than 306,000 Visitors More than 179,000 Visitors 34,763 Students Hosted or Visited in the Classroom 15,231 Students Hosted or Visited in the Classroom 10,256 Students Hosted or Visited in the Classroom 59 Wedding Receptions 565 Volunteers 260 Volunteers 148 Volunteers 44 Events More than 32,100 Volunteer Hours More than 19,500 Volunteer Hours More than 12,000 Volunteer Hours 8,372 Education Program Participants • The Weeki Wachee Mermaids made their first appearance in North • The Teen Ambassadors program finished its first year with a graduating • In 2017, the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center helped • For the fourth year in a row, Jennette’s Pier has been named a Couples’ Carolina when they visited the Fort Fisher Aquarium in March 2017. class of 41 and was awarded the Association of Zoos and Aquariums more than 180 cold-stunned sea turtles. This prompted the creation of Choice Award winner by WeddingWire, an online and international They returned for an encore in 2018. Education Award for an aquarium of its size. an Amazon Wish List which provided more than $1,700 in products. A marketplace for the wedding industry. WeddingWire Couples’ Choice • In 2017, the Aquarium at Fort Fisher completed a gift shop renovation. • The Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores’ Green Team hosted a recycle booth promotion on the Aquarium’s Facebook page also resulted in more than Awards® recipients represent the top five percent of wedding Gift shop purchases are an important part of the Aquarium’s annual at the 2017 NC Seafood Festival. The first booth of its kind, the team 60 storage containers being dropped off in a two-day period. professionals on WeddingWire who demonstrate excellence in quality, revenue. hopes to expand these efforts in 2018. • A Roanoke Island Aquarium exhibit depicting the exploits of the USS service, responsiveness and professionalism. • The Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau awarded • Two eastern screech owls were added to the Pine Knoll Shores Monitor earned the Bronze Award in Media Production at the 2017 • Jennette’s Pier held a fundraiser to create Camp Silly for Lilly. Lilly, who Joanna Zazzali, visitor and member services coordinator for the Fort Aquarium’s feathered family. Both likely sustained vision impairments Southeastern Museums Conference Technology Competition. The Turret passed away in August of 2016, was part of the Jennette’s Pier family. Fisher Aquarium, the inaugural Tourism Star Award. from being hit by a car. The owls help visitors learn ways to conserve Theater replicates the 1862 Battle of Hampton Roads and the sinking of the The goddaughter of Tamara Hughes, gift shop manager, Lilly was one of and protect eastern screech owls and other raptors. USS Monitor in a storm later that year. the “small fry” campers. Proceeds from the event created a space in every • The Aquarium at Fort Fisher received a number of accolades in 2017 Jennette’s Pier camp for an underserved child in Dare County and two including Best Family Attraction StarNews Shore Picks, Best Tourist • The Green Team at the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores was awarded the • Roanoke Island Aquarium guests contributed more than $56,000 toward conservation by rounding up their admission and gift shop purchases to weeks of overnight camps at Jennette’s Pier for underserved children in Attraction Encore Magazine, TripAdvisor certificate of excellence, and Ocean Friendly Establishment award for the facility by the Crystal Coast surrounding counties. 25 Best Aquariums in the US by Dream Vacation Magazine. Chapter of the Plastic Ocean Project. the nearest dollar. The Round Up for Conservation program raises funds for important wildlife research and assistance. • Daryl Law, assistant director at Jennette’s Pier, took first and second • The Aquarium’s FrogWatch USA chapter was recognized by the • The Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores added a new program in 2017 called • Roanoke Island Aquarium husbandry staff earned proficiency certifications place for photography at the annual NC Association of Government Association of Zoos and Aquariums for holding the most trainings Kids Night Out. Students were able to visit the Aquarium for four hours Information Officers held November 2017 in Chapel Hill. and training the most volunteers (140) out of 141 chapters across the and participate in camp-like activities that gave them an intimate look from The Aquatic Animal Life Support Operators organization. Members country. behind the scenes at food prep, feeding and animal care. of the husbandry team responsible for the care of all of the animals at the Aquarium earned certifications for Life Support Operator Level I and Water Quality Technician Level I. PINE KNOLL SHORES The Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores’ Green Team has been busy sharing the Aquarium’s GREEN TEAM MAJOR GIFT conservation message. They hosted the first recycle station at the North Carolina Seafood Festival where Aquarium staff collected more than 400 pounds of recycling materials during the three-day event. At the Aquarium, TerraCycle containers were introduced throughout the GROWS PROGRAM SUSTAINABILITY facility, starting with the break room, allowing staff to easily recycle chip bags, drink pouches In November, the Aquarium Society received a major gift from an anonymous “Reducing consumption of natural and other hard to recycle plastics. TerraCycle is a recycling company created to help people donor with a special purpose in mind — they wanted to help the Aquariums world-wide collect hard-to-recycle materials like candy wrappers, solo cups, action figures, art become as green as possible and serve as a role model for others. Over the resources ultimately reduces stressors on supplies, athletic balls, and break room supplies. next three years, this contribution will be devoted to internal green practices wildlife populations; sustainability at the and the development of innovative strategies to promote these efforts with the visiting public. Plans are already underway at the Aquariums to expand Aquariums is about saving animals!” consumption-monitoring efforts, install more efficient filtration systems and — Windy Arey-Kent, Education Curator upgrade to energy-saving features like LED lighting. The Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

FORT FISHER The Green Team at the Aquarium at Fort Fisher increased the number of adopt-a-highway cleanups and took on new initiatives in 2017. From FotoFX switching plastic bags to paper for souvenir photos, to hosting a staff summer 30-Day Plastics Challenge, the team worked to reduce single use plastics throughout the year. In addition, Sharkbites, the onsite snack bar, received Ocean Friendly Establishment Certification for reducing the use of plastics and limiting straw use to only those who request one.

ROANOKE ISLAND The Green Team at the Aquarium on Roanoke Island grew its sustainability and conservation efforts and practices in 2017. One such effort included launching a plastic-film recycling program that allows the community to bring plastic bags, wrappings or other hard-to-recycle plastic film to the Aquarium for collection. Staff then takes the material to a special recycling facility in Greenville, North Carolina. Between its launch in October 2017 and February 2018, enough plastic has been collected to fill four pickup trucks. That’s a lot of plastic diverted from landfills or worse, getting into our oceans.

The Roanoke Island Green Team has led roadside cleanups near the Aquarium for several years, but this is the first organized effort to tackle beach litter. Beach cleanups at JENNETTE’S PIER Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and along Jennette’s Pier is a platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified facility the beaches in Nags Head added to the positive that saves money and resources, has a positive impact on visitors and demonstrates renewable conservation impact from the Aquarium. energy technology. To accomplish LEED certification the Pier created a variety of alternative electricity producing systems including three wind turbines and a photo-voltaic solar system, along with resource-conserving systems, such as a reclaimed water plant and geothermal HVAC systems. The pier house features a passive solar design that shades offices in the summer, keeping them cool, while allowing direct sunlight in to warm them during the winter. Inside the building, the light fixtures use either compact fluorescent or LED lighting to save energy. 4 BUSINESS MEMBERS Rick Soles Property Management Dan Cameron Foundation ($300 Annually) Skin Wellness Dermatology Associates Lauren Donnachie GOOD FOR BUSINESS! Al Williams Properties Slice of Life Catherine Everett The Aquariums enlisted a record number of members in 2017, and among the fastest Allis Holding LLC Sound Bank Ashe B. Exum The Brent Milgrom FotoFX growing segments was . From the Outer Banks, to Brunswick Amos Mosquito’s Business Membership Andrew Roby Family Foundation, Inc. Dick & Billie Futrell beaches, to the Triangle and beyond, more small businesses have stepped up to support Anonymous The Outer Banks Hospital Carolyn & Art Green the Aquariums, their educational mission, animal care and new exhibits. Own a small Atlantic Sewage Control The Reel Outdoors, Inc. Tom & Susan Hackney business and already have a family membership? Check out the enhanced benefits the Austin Fish Company, Inc. The Renovation Company Allan & Nancy Harvin business program can offer you, your employees and customers. Business Memberships Autumn Care of Myrtle Grove The Saltbox Café Curtis Hedgepath start at $300 annually and feature complimentary tickets, discounts for employees and Big Sky Design The Willey Agency Olivia Holding Spinnaker’s Reach Realty Igoe Creative other benefits. Boeck Chiropractic Clinic, PA Braswell Carpet Cleaning Suburban Electric Services, Inc. Jarrett Bay Boat Works Bunge Rose Hill Underwood Recruiting Brent Johnson & Karen Sage Byrd Quality LLC Watson’s, Inc. Art & Alice Keeney Carolina Designs Realty, Inc. Watson Legal, PLLC Kurtis Chevrolet Chalk & Gibbs Insurance and Real Estate Wells Family Dentistry Glenn Lamp Chocolate Creations Wilmington Police Recreation Mary Katherine Lawrence Clary’s Rental Properties Association Alex & Carolyn MacFadyen CleanCut Handyman Service Wilmington SurgCare Bob & Carol Mattocks Coastal Carolina Orthodontics Windjammer Inn David & Lesley McAdams Coastal Dentistry Yacht Doc, Inc. Kim & Sam McConkey Crisis Response International Margo McKnight Cuthrell Family Investments BUSINESS LEADERS Bill & Francis McMillan Dare County Tourism Board ($500 Annually) New Knowledge Organization Davies Contracting Albemarle Landscapes & Tree Service Greg & Laura Nichols SHARK CART BEERS FOR A PORPOISE Dear LaserWorks Atlantis Lodge Betsy & Mitch Oakley Kitty Hawk Kites graciously donated The Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores D.H. Lickey, Inc. Budget Blinds David J. O’Loughlin a golf cart to Jennette’s Pier for use by partnered with Crystal Coast Brewing Diversified Concrete Pumping, Inc. Bunge Rose Hill M. Peebles & Avery Harrison security staff to transport elderly or Company in Morehead City to create Dorothy Kirtley Real Estate Clary’s Rental Properties Walter & Pam Phillips injured visitors on the Pier. The cart has a fundraising event for the highly- El Gato Pelon, Inc. Coastal Business Development Charles & Mary C. Pierce already proven helpful to the Pier staff endangered vaquita porpoise. More Frank and Fran’s Bait and Tackle Coastal Carolina Neuropsychiatric Center Edythe Poyner & Steve Williams and improved emergency response. than $8,000 was raised during the Full Throttle Speedway Grooms Equipment Quality Landscape Pictured left to right: Lynn Fox, Pier visitor services, John event. Proceeds went to VaquitaCPR Graham’s Senior Living Homes Lisa’s Pizzeria Chuck & Bonnie Revelle Harris, owner Kitty Hawk Kites, and wife Sandra Allen, Grants Creek Nursery, Inc. Mann Custom Boats, Inc. Sandra Rybacki and Mike Remige, Pier director. (Conservation, Protection and Recovery). Island Automation PC Mt. Olive Pickle Company, Inc. Joseph & Angela Sample Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill Mulligan’s Grille Carolyn Schultz Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates Nance’s, Inc. Wes & Jacque Seegars Johnson Family Dentistry Sam & Omie’s Restaurant Jon & Karen Segal Kellogg Supply Company, Inc. SearStone Retirement Community Shipwreck Café Kitty Hawk Kites SeaSide Dentistry Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, Inc. Kurtis Chevrolet Stan White Reality & Construction, Inc. Wayne Schriever Lily Nicole & Company Lex & Jennifer Speal Lookout Ford OFFSHORE CLUB Annie Gray Sprunt Lone Cedar Café ($1,000 Annually) Summit Plastic Surgery and Dermatology Marjoram’s Specialty Moving Services Accelerando, Inc. Bill & Mary Hannah Taft McClernon LLC Advance Signs George & Suzanne Taylor McFadyen Engineers, PLLC Deborah Albert The Ivy Cottage Midgette Auto Supercenter Atlantic Elevators Susan Moffat-Thomas LIFE ON THE LEDGE TIPS FOR TURTLES Moeller, PA Marvin & Cynthia Barnes John & Susie Ward Twiddy & Company Realtors supported the Thank you J.B. Head, owner of The Mollie A. Fearing & Associates Bill & Georgia Belk Mary C. Watzin Life on the Ledge new habitat at Jennette’s Shipwreck Café located at the Aquarium MSOC Health Myra Best Ann & D. Jordan Whichard Pier. “Our working family is proud to on Roanoke Island. Throughout 2017 Charles Nash, DDS PA Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC Truck Ray & Linda White support all the wonderful things the Pier the Tips for Turtles campaign collected Paynter Security Consulting Group Frank L. Block William Etheridge Foundation does for our state,” said Clark Twiddy. $1,706.48, which was donated to help sick Paws & Claws Animal Hospital Charlton & Peg Burns Hope Williams & Tom Bersuder Pictured left to right: Jen Joyce, Twiddy & Company realtor, and injured sea turtles in the Sea Turtle Pazzo Restaurant Lucille M. Chaveas – In Memory of David & Sydney Womack Mike Remige, Pier director and Clark Twiddy, Twiddy & Assistance and Rehabilitation Center. Company Realtors owner. Port City Land Surveying, PLLC Kevin W. Yurecka Edie Wong Pictured left to right: Mark Joyner, NC Aquarium Society, Kathleen Yeager Madeleine VanMiddlesworth, STAR Center technician Ram Rent All, Inc. Marc & Sissy Chesnutt and J.B. Head. ReBath of NC Dairy Queen

6 WWW.NCAQUARIUMS.COM NOT FAR FROM THE NEST! VOLUNTEERS DO GREAT WORK AT STAR CENTER MORE THAN 250 Since it expanded in 2014, the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center at the Aquarium on Roanoke Island has become a leader in the effort to protect and SEA TURTLES WERE BROUGHT TO THE preserve sea turtles on the North Carolina coast. One familiar sight in the STAR Center is the bright teal shirt worn by Network for Endangered Sea Turtles volunteers. NEST volunteers are critical to the success of the STAR Center and AQUARIUMS FOR REHABILITATION were indispensable in taking in and treating more than 200 turtles in 2017.

Approximately 50 NEST volunteers rotate through the STAR Center, feeding turtle patients, cleaning recovery pools, numbering turtles during and after the large wave of cold-stun intakes, and assisting in ocean releases. All have been trained in specialized turtle care to ensure the well-being of these endangered animals. Even more NEST volunteers work off the Aquarium grounds; during the winter they comb the marshes around Hatteras Inlet after particularly cold weather to recover cold-stunned turtles and transport them to the STAR Center for treatment.

For NEST volunteer Jan Moore, the opportunity to work closely with turtles is a big deal. She became involved with NEST after spotting two sea turtle nests near her Kitty Hawk home. After going through training to watch the nests, she got involved with the STAR Center. “I was hooked,” she said. “I love it. I get to spend my day around turtles. It’s exciting to see them heal and to get ready for release in the summer.”

This program would not be possible without these volunteers. “These are people who are here solely because they want to be and because they see the benefits of this program,” said Madeleine VanMiddlesworth, STAR Center technician.

IT TAKES MANY PARTNERS SEA TURTLE PROGRAM SPREADS AWARENESS TO GET THE JOB DONE In 2017, more than 250 sea turtles were brought to one of the Aquariums for rehabilitation. Of those, Each year, sea turtles hatch from their nests and make approximately 185 were released in 2017. Providing medical attention to injured or stranded sea turtles is an their way to the ocean, but some hatchlings are not able important job that Aquarium facilities have undertaken. This effort also involves a number of other state to get there for one reason or another. The Aquariums organizations, staff and many volunteers. care for these hatchlings until they are healthy and As part of their rehabilitation process, some turtles are loaned to other institutions to continue the strong enough to return to the sea. rehabilitation work, while educating visitors about the endangered species and ways they can help protect The hatchlings are brought to the Aquariums by way of a sea turtles in the oceans. partnership with the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Last year, National Aquarium, Baltimore; Newport Aquarium, Kentucky; Adventure Aquarium, New Commission who coordinates the North Carolina Sea Jersey; Mystic Aquarium, Connecticut; The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Connecticut; Albuquerque Turtle Project. This project enlists volunteers across the Aquarium, New Mexico; and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia participated in the coast to help monitor sea turtle nests, gather wayward loan program. After their stay, the turtles are brought back to North Carolina to be released into the wild. turtles and bring them to the Aquariums to eventually be released to the sea.

8 WWW.NCAQUARIUMS.COM ENDURING LOVE 2017 DONORS FOR THE AQUARIUM We offer our profound thanks to those who renewed their support of the Aquarium Society with gifts of $500 or more in 2017. The Aquariums are blessed with thousands of members, Advance Signs Goodnight Education Foundation Nicole J. Parish William M. Sutherland donors, volunteers and supporters, all of whom share a special AMS Contractors Grady-White Boats Elizabeth Patterson Bill & Mary Hannah Taft connection with the North Carolina coast and the Aquariums’ Albemarle Landscapes Carolyn & Art Green Brian & Suzanne Pecheles George & Suzanne Taylor Deborah Albert Grooms Equipment M. Peebles & Avery Harrison Tennessee Aquarium conservation mission. Among them, only a few can trace their Anonymous Tom & Susan Hackney Pepsi Bottling Ventures Stephen Tevault support back to the beginning — the late 1970s — when the APRS World LLC A.C. Hall/Atlantis Lodge Walter & Pam Phillips The Ivy Cottage Aquariums were just getting started. Association of Zoos & Aquariums Heather R. Halstead Charles & Mary Pierce Transportation Impact Atlantic Elevators Curtis Hedgepath Edythe Poyner & Steve Williams Triad Foundation A.C. Hall of Pine Knoll Shores is among those first supporters Harold H. Bate Foundation Jeanne Hermann Chuck & Bonnie Revelle Nancy L. Tunstall Jacqueline Samalus who, along with his family at the Atlantis Lodge, has enriched Mary E. Bayer Ella & Frank Holding Foundation Twiddy & Company Family Walter G. Bayer, Jr. Olivia Holding Joe & Angela Sample UNC Chapel Hill the nearby Aquarium for nearly 40 years. Through generous Irwin Belk Foundation Richard & Lynn Howell David Scholle Donald Q. Wade annual donations, the Hall family has sponsored exhibits, hosted Bembridge Insurance Agencies Homer A. Humphreys, III Wayne Schriever Philip S. Walker events and promoted the Aquarium’s educational programs. Christine Berger Identify Yourself Carolyn Schultz Walt Disney Company Myra Best Igoe Creative Sea Research Foundation-Mystic Gladys M. Ward When renovations were completed at the Aquarium at Pine Bruce Biggs William Keadey Aquarium John & Susie Ward Carl & Leigh Seager Knoll Shores in 2006, A.C. sponsored the entrance bridge and Betsy Blackwell & John Watson Art & Alice Keeney Brenda Watt Marvin & Rebecca Blount Kelly’s Restaurant SearStone Retirement/Shannon Mary Watzin garden, and initiated the annual A.C. & Dot Hall Internship — Kristen H. Bolt Lisa Kemplin Hoffman Nathan Weller providing college students unique summer experiences working Bonzer Shack Bar & Grill Kitty Hawk Kites SeaSide Dentistry Phyllis S. Wells at the Aquarium. Lori Bowen John & Marian Kutzer Wes & Jacque Seegars Wells Fargo Foundation Lisa H. Breen Mary Katherine Lawrence Jon & Karen Segal Adam & Kathryn Wenzlik S.J. Beckham Brindley Lisa’s Pizzeria Sharkbites Jordy & Ann Whichard R.A. Bryan Foundation Henry & Linda MacDonald Shipwreck Café Helen White Budget Blinds Alex & Carolyn MacFadyen Susan Simons Ray & Linda White Charlton & Peg Burns Mann Custom Boats Nicole Skubal Stan White Realty HERE’S HOW YOU CAN Dan Cameron Foundation Bob & Carol Mattocks Southern Bank Foundation Hope Williams & Tom Bersuder Zachary R. Campbell McAdams Foundation Casey L. Sparacino Michael W. Wilson SUPPORT THE AQUARIUMS & PIER! Lucille Chaveas Kim McConkey Alexander & Jennifer Speal David & Sydney Womack Marc & Sissy Chesnutt Erin G. McKenzie Annie Gray Sprunt Edie Wong Chick-Fil-A Alvin & Margaret McPherson Michael Staskiel Dr. James Gordon Wright Coastal Business Development McPherson Investment Phillip Stevens Darlene & Peter Young Annual Fund with tax-deductible gifts for the Aquariums’ highest priorities Alan Cone Allan & Margaret Mims Strategic Alliance Foto FX Michael T. Conner Charitable Trust to help sea turtles and other conservation efforts John Corcoran Minnesota Zoo Foundation Conservation Gifts Ronald K. Cotton Brittany L. Mitchell Charlie & Susan Creighton Susan Moffat-Thomas of exhibits, programs & internships DID YOU KNOW? Named Sponsorships Crystal Coast Tourism Authority Adrienne Moore 65 percent of the Aquariums’ annual operating budget is Dairy Queen James E. Moore Insurance funded through earned revenue (like admission fees) and Planned Gifts leave a legacy through the Angelfish Society Donna J. Dean Robert C. Morgan, III Mike & Pete Deichmann Mulligans Raw Bar private support (Aquarium Society). State appropriations (taxpayers) only make up 35 percent. to honor a loved one Borislave Djordjevic National Aquarium Own-A-Fish Lauren Donnachie National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Duke Energy Foundation NC Community Foundation Adopt-An-Animal to help support animal care Denise M. Earley NC Vervbatim Reporters Association Eric H. Emerson NEST-Network for Endangered Sea offered on many levels William Etheridge Foundation Turtles Membership Charles & Becky Evans New Jersey Aquarium For more information on giving options, Catherine Everett New Knowledge Organization Ashe Exum New Mexico Bio Park visit ncaquariumsociety.com Patrice Falacco Greg & Laura Nichols or contact [email protected] Everett L. Farr NOAA -National Oceanic and Joyce M. Felton Atmospheric Administration John & Elizabeth Foreman Frances Norrell Darren E. Fraley Betsy & Mitch Oakley Dick & Billie Futrell David O’Loughlin Family Eric Gerz Jan M. Osborne 10 CONSERVATION EFFORTS SUPPORT NATURAL RESOURCES The NC Aquariums take conservation seriously and put research funds where their hearts are — supporting scientists and partners as they investigate the animals and habitats that are North Carolina’s natural resources. In 2017 $375,000 was invested in field research, veterinary research, conservation partnerships and habitat management that directly impact species, habitats and conservation issues relevant to North Carolina.

In addition to the projects featured here, the Aquariums supported other conservation initiatives including: • A species survey of the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area by local biologist, John Fussell. Having conducted a similar survey around the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores in 1974, the Aquariums look forward to learning how the habitat has changed over the last 40 years. • Dr. Chuck Bangley conducted surveys of shark and ray species found in the lower Cape Fear River to understand how these species have adjusted to development in the river basin. • Increased support was given to the Marine Mammal Stranding Network by purchasing equipment to aid in stranding events as well as training with the central coast stranding coordinator.

Conservation dollars continue to support ongoing work to enhance veterinary care for sea turtles and to aid imperiled gopher frog populations. Collectively, the Aquarium Society’s dollars are supporting important conservation work across our coastal and marine environment.

AQUARIUMS WORK TOGETHER ON BREAKTHROUGH SAND TIGER RESEARCH In October, the Aquariums joined forces to tag sand tiger sharks, during which they performed the first sonogram on a pregnant female, marking the first research collected on a baby sand tiger shark in utero. The primary goal of the project, in conjunction with the South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction and Conservation, was to learn how adult female sand tiger sharks use North Carolina shipwrecks as essential habitat. The research also involves conducting visual surveys ROANOKE ISLAND DIVE TEAM LAUNCHES of the sand tiger sharks’ behavior in the habitat of the Pine Knoll Shores Living Shipwreck habitat. LIONFISH MITIGATION PROJECT Staff from all Aquarium departments have been volunteering to conduct visual observations to In an effort to manage lionfish population explosions, a conservation team from the Aquarium on Roanoke Island dove help researchers understand how these sharks interact and use their aquarium habitat. on shipwrecks off the Outer Banks. The lionfish is native to the Indian Ocean and South Pacific, but since the late 1980s the invasive species has been rapidly taking over reef and wreck sites along the East Coast and depleting food sources for native fish. COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERSHIP “Shipwrecks on the Outer Banks provide habitats for all kinds of organisms important to the ocean’s food chain, which in turn are important to parts of commercial and sport fisheries, as well as other recreational users such as scuba divers,” said SUSTAINS AND EDUCATES Shawn Harper, Roanoke Island dive safety officer. In 2017, the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores continued work with Carteret Community College’s Aquaculture Program to advance fish breeding efforts. CCC aquaculture Funded by a grant administered by the Aquariums’ Conservation Advisory instructor, David Cerino, and his students have designed a way to capture eggs from Committee and provided by the Aquarium Society, the dive team launched a spawning fish in current aquarium habitats. project to determine if the lionfish population can be successfully controlled on selected wreck sites by spearfishing. Custom-sized egg collectors were installed in the main 306,000-gallon, Living Shipwreck habitat overflow, and CCC students collected more than 25,000 eggs the first night. The project also includes a marketing component, with local chefs appearing at the Aquarium’s Seafood Series to share recipes for preparing the delicious lionfish. Aquarium staff are also rearing fish from the eggs collected. This conservation project The lionfish mitigation project will continue in the spring as waters warm enough allows educational opportunities that will increase fish sustainability and could directly to survey the wrecks already visited. affect wild populations.

12 MANO AL HERMANO NC AQUARIUM SOCIETY AWARDS Last year saw the launch of a new Nature Club offered directly to Latino children participating in the family literacy program, Mano al Hermano. The club grew as FIRST AQUARIUM SCHOLARS GRANTS an extension of a Nature Play Begins grant awarded to the Aquarium on Roanoke Island. After a visit by Mano al Hermano in 2017, the Aquarium coordinated with that In the fall of 2017 the Aquarium Society, in partnership “We believe all North Carolina students should have organization’s director to create an ongoing Nature Club for children. The club offers a with the Aquariums, NC public schools, the Friday an opportunity to experience the amazing educational mixture of outdoor nature play activities and indoor live animal programs for third to fifth Institute at NC State University, and private donors, resources at our state Aquariums,” said Susi H. Hamilton, graders, but the hope is to extend the program to younger ages. Nature Club takes place in awarded the first Aquarium Scholars grants. These mini- secretary of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural the fall and winter and aims to provide opportunities for students to gain an appreciation grants totaled more than $69,000 and were distributed to Resources. “Thanks to our outstanding partners, the of North Carolina’s aquatic places. teachers across the state. Aquarium Scholars program provides a path to make those resources accessible to more students than ever before.” Directed toward schools with higher proportions of students from low-income households, the grants allow With support from the Department of Public Instruction, TEEN AMBASSADORS children to experience aquatic animals, learn about the Aquarium Scholars program was publicized in the The Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Teen Ambassadors program important conservation topics and get involved with fall of 2017 to teachers through emails, newsletters and concluded its first year of programing with a graduating class of 41 other unique educational opportunities. conference presentations. From that effort 118 teachers students. The program was also awarded the Association of Zoos submitted grant applications for funding of field trips and Aquariums education award in 2017 for an aquarium of its size. To date, more than $450,000 has been raised for and outreach during the spring of 2018. In December, 79 The AZA education award recognized outstanding achievement this program, which will fund many more student teachers from 35 counties were awarded grants ranging in educational program design; judging programs on their ability experiences over the next few years. from $150 to $1,000. to promote conservation knowledge, attitudes and behavior, show innovation, and measure success.

FLYING HIGH Thanks to a grant from Dominion Energy, Jennette’s Pier has purchased three drones to use in teaching eighth graders in northeastern North Carolina how the high-tech flying machines are used in modern day environmental science. First Flight High School teacher, Meredith Fish, secured a grant for the “By allowing students to physically touch the ocean, smell the salt of the sea and feel the power of the waves crashing on program from Dominion Energy and will be teaching the classes. Eighth grade science and technology classes in Dare, Tyrell, Washington, Hyde, Camden, their legs, students will have a profound lasting memory of the majesty of the sea. Students will be able to internalize the Perquimans, Pasquotank, Gates, Hertford, Chowan, and Bertie counties are importance of conservation efforts and understand the interconnectedness between our habitat on land and the creatures that eligible to participate in this free drone exploration program. live in the sea.” — Perquimans County Middle School Teacher

SENSORY AWARENESS DAYS AQUARIUM SCHOLARS SPONSORS The Aquariums work to connect all visitors with nature and the importance of caring for our oceans. In 2017, the typical Aquarium Harold H. Bate Foundation Allan & Margaret Mims Charitable Trust experience was adapted to create a welcoming opportunity for those R.A. Bryan Foundation Tetlow & Roy Park Aquarium Legacy Fund who would otherwise find a visit challenging. Adaptations included turning off waterfalls to lower the amount of sound sensory an Bill & Bob Dobo Trust Southern Bank individual might experience when first entering the Aquarium, and Duke Energy Foundation Triad Foundation adding calm rooms and sensory activities. Various community groups worked together with the Aquariums to offer these new and powerful Goodnight Education Foundation Wells Fargo Foundation activities which were free with admission. Grady-White Boats NC Aquarium Society Board of Directors The Aquarium Society continues to seek sponsoring partners to support these opportunities for students across the state. 14 WWW.NCAQUARIUMS.COM A DENTIST APPOINTMENT FOR SEA URCHINS SAVE THE VAQUITA One thing visitors don’t see at all Aquariums are the vet In 2017 the Aquariums and Pier rallied to raise awareness about checks the animals receive. Veterinary visits ensure the health the vaquita, the world’s most endangered marine mammal. At the of animals and include some unique sights, like a dentist time, only 30 vaquitas remained alive. Found only in the Gulf of appointment for a sea urchin! Pencil sea urchins have a unique California in Mexico, their numbers have been decimated from jaw apparatus called Aristotle’s Lantern, which includes five illegal gillnet fishing. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums teeth that continually grow throughout the animal’s life. In the sent an appeal for assistance and the Aquariums responded with wild, one way urchins trim these teeth is by scraping food from several efforts. To help raise awareness and funds the Aquarium rocks and reefs. In the Aquarium environment, there are fewer Society sent out an e-blast to SeaMail recipients requesting opportunities for sea urchins to dull their teeth. With the help donations for a $1.2 million rescue effort, while the Aquariums at of a dremel, veterinarian, Dr. Emily Christiansen, was able to Fort Fisher and Pine Knoll Shores held “Save the Vaquita” events. trim and reshape the teeth of these invertebrates. Together more than $14,000 was raised.

MAHI-MAHI COME ASHORE CHECK-UP Last summer, Sammy Thornton of Nags Head caught An eastern screech owl’s heart, lungs, eyes, mouth and this beautiful dolphin after several campers on the north weight are checked by the veterinary team. The Aquarium side of Jennette’s Pier saw it swimming around their offered a new screech owl habitat featuring two small lines. Dolphin fish, or mahi-mahi as they’re also known eastern screech owls from Possumwood Acres Wildlife on restaurant menus, are typically found offshore. This Sanctuary. The two birds, with injuries that make it one is the third documented mahi catch since Jennette’s impossible for them to be released back into the wild, Pier reopened in 2011. The warm ocean temperature of will be cared for at the Aquarium and offer an up-close, 74 degrees and all of the bait fish near shore must have educational experience for visitors. drawn the fish in to feed.

WEEKI WACHEE MERMAIDS The Fort Fisher Aquarium hosted the world-famous Weeki Wachee Mermaids in GENERAL PHYSICAL March 2017 for their first appearance in the state. The live mermaids enchanted The husbandry staff and veterinary team perform a guests, young and old, swimming and twirling alongside sharks and rays. Guests also general physical on a green moray eel. An aquarist keeps had the opportunity to meet mermaids on dry land. Those wanting a deeper dive into a tube of water pumping over the eels gills while the the mermaid experience purchased tickets for mermaid breakfasts, camps and paint veterinarians check weight, length, draw blood, and nights. The Weeki Wachee Mermaids are part of a 70-year tradition celebrating examine the animal for its overall health. a mythical underwater world at one of Florida’s oldest and most unique family attractions, the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

SAVING SPECIES AROUND THE GLOBE HEALTHY HATCHLINGS The Aquariums care about saving species around the globe. In Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings recieve a quick December, two African penguins, Simon and Blueberry, engaged guests check up to ensure that they are healthy and during a weekend holiday event at the Fort Fisher Aquarium. The able to be released on the next offshore sea visiting education ambassadors helped more than 3,100 guests better turtle release. understand this endangered species, including the threats impacting the rapidly declining population, and how others can help.

16 WWW.NCAQUARIUMS.COM CONSERVATORS Transportation Impact Rosie Lasinski Fund 2017 FUNDING AND REVENUE MAJOR DONORS (Gifts of $25,000 – $100,000) Triangle Land Conservancy Mr. & Mrs. Steve MacCurry The Aquariums and Pier’s enduring success is thanks to a dedicated staff, Cumulative Giving Anonymous Twiddy & Company Family Susan E. Martin enthusiastic volunteers, broad support from state leaders and private support Association of Zoos & Aquariums Wachovia Foundation Ann Maxwell made available through the Aquarium Society. Using an entrepreneurial approach, The NC Aquarium Society gratefully acknowledges the Marvin & Cynthia Barnes Wells Fargo Foundation Harvey McNairy Foundation the Aquariums now fund more than half of their operational needs from earned following major donors for their generosity through the BB&T David & Sydney Womack Microsoft TechSoup revenue and private contributions. years, in support of the NC Aquariums and Jennette’s Pier. Bill & Georgia Belk Minnesota Zoo Foundation 2017 NC AQUARIUMS & JENNETTE’S PIER Steve Bell SPONSORS Mt. Olive Pickle Company GRAND BENEFACTORS Alice Bost (Gifts of $5,000 – $25,000) National Aquarium Rentals & (Gifts of $1 Million or More) R.A. Bryan Foundation Accelerando, Inc. North Carolina Community Foundation Events 11% State NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund Charlton & Peg Burns Tootsie Adderholdt & Alice Engel NCDENR Office of Environmental Education Appropriations 40% NC Waterfront Access & Carteret County Ambrose Signs New England Aquarium Marine Industry Fund Carteret Publishing Company Casey Ball & Dan Tomlinson Greg & Laura Nichols Pepsi Bottling Ventures / Pepsico OBX Bank/Monarch Bank Admission Coastal Beverage Company Harold H. Bate Foundation Receipts Triad Foundation Drew & Vickey Covert Bembridge Insurance Agencies Ocean Foundation 49% Crystal Coast Tourism Authority Betsy Blackwell & John Watson Olympus Dive Center BENEFACTORS Dare County Tourism Board Frank & Wendy Block Outer Banks Community Foundation REVENUE (ROUNDED) (Gifts of $500,000 – $1 Million) Tom Davis Fund Marvin & Rebecca Blount Outer Banks Dive Center State Appropriations $7.1 million Admission Receipts $8.7 million Dare County Emerald Isle Realty Bluewater GMAC Bill & Connie Parker Rentals & Events $2.0 million Bill & Barbara Dobo First National Bank BMH Architects PaverScape Designs Total Revenue $17.8 million Bob & Dot Dobo FotoFX Gil Burnett Pennymen Group Dominion Energy Dick & Billie Futrell John & Ann Campbell Pizza Huts of Eastern NC PKS Bond NC Association of Outdoor Advertisers GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Cape Fear Garden Club Gail Plucker Payment Personnel 10% 62% NC Coastal Recreational A.C. & Dot Hall Capital Development Services PPD Fishing License Program Hatteras Yachts Carteret County Sportfishing Club Emily Proctor Property, NOAA – National Oceanic & Atmospheric Carteret-Craven Electric Membership Pure Fishing Equipment Art & Alice Keeney & Supplies Services Administration Kelly’s Restaurant Cooperative RBC Bank 10% 18% Kurtis Chevrolet Craig Castor Realty World, The Selling Team, GUARDIANS Janie & Carter Lambeth CenturyLink Llew & Elaine EXPENSES (ROUNDED) (Gifts of $100,000 – $500,000) Cherbec Foundation George & Sylvia Rountree, III Personnel $10.0 million Alex & Carolyn MacFadyen Services $3.0 million Anonymous Sam & Kim McConkey Marc & Sissy Chesnutt Salty Dawg Marina Property, Equipment & Supplies $1.6 million Dianne S. Avery Clancy & Theys Construction Lila & Harry Schiffman PKS Bond Payment $1.6 million Allan & Margaret Mims Foundation Total Expenses $16.2 million Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Munson Aquatic Conservation Exhibit Award Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty David & Magdalena Scholle Burroughs Wellcome Fund National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Community Foundation of Southeastern NC Scuba-Tech 2017 AQUARIUM SOCIETY The Cannon Foundation NC State University Sea Grant Cooperative Bank for Savings SeaWitch Motel & Café Centura Bank NEST – Network for Endangered Sea Turtles The Corcoran Family Wes & Jacque Seegars Gift Shop Sales Crystal Coast Tourism Authority New Hanover County Dairy Queen Jon & Karen Segal 47% Duke Energy Foundation Walter Daniels Jim, Judy & Robin Serne Nutrien NCA Lease Sharkbites Mary Whiting Ewing Foundation Betsy & Mitchell Oakley Discovery Diving 14% Investments 7% First Citizens Bank OceanReef, Inc. Dive Rite Sound Bank A.J. Fletcher Foundation David O’Loughlin Family Graham & Ashley Dozier Alexander & Jennifer Speal Concessions & Other Income 4% Strata Solar Membership 17% General Federation of Women’s Clubs of NC Outer Banks Visitors Bureau DuPont Contributions, Grants & Sponsorships 11% Grady-White Boats Park Foundation Embarq Corporation Tedder Family REVENUE (ROUNDED) Tom & Bee Gwynn Warren & Barbara Perry William Etheridge Foundation Tennessee Aquarium Gift Shop Sales $5.0 million Olivia Holding Walter & Pam Phillips Charles & Becky Evans Dave Tichenor Membership $1.8 million Contributions, Grants & Sponsorships $1.2 million Bill & Marilyn Hull Lonnie & Carol Lynn Poole First Union Foundation Towboat US, Oregon Inlet NC Concessions & Other Income $0.4 million Institute for Museum & Library Services Buddy & Stu Pope Florida Aquarium Karl Von Der Heyden Investments $0.7 million NCA Lease for the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores $1.5 million Kealy Family Foundation Thomas Reese Jake & Mazie Froelich Walt Disney Company Total Revenue $10.6 million Ben & Jean Kilgore Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Georgia Aquarium John & Susie Ward Mary Katherine Lawrence & Art Klose Goodnight Education Foundation Weston Foundation Chuck & Bonnie Revelle Aquarium & Bob & Carol Mattocks Rockett, Burkhead & Winslow Art & Carolyn Green David & Judy Whichard Pier Support Percy W. & Elizabeth G. Meekins Safari Club International Ted & Peggy Haigler Ray & Linda White 38% Charitable Trust Safrit’s Building Supply Allan & Nancy Harvin Rick & Myrna Willetts Management & General 7% NC Coastal Area Management Act Southern Bank Cary Hawthorne Hope Williams & Tom Bersuder Gift Shops & Cost of Goods Wooten & Batchelor Families Membership & Nucor Steel Buck Suiter Family Jonathan & Mary Howes 46% James E. Moore Insurance Agency Bill & Lyndia Wright Development Jane Smith Patterson Mathew & Maureen Sullivan, in Memory of 9% George & Suzanne Taylor Eugene Sullivan Joanna Foundation James Gordon Wright Michael & Debbie Thompson Sunlite Supply, Inc. Karen & Jay Johnson Peter & Darlene Young EXPENSES (ROUNDED) Aquarium & Pier Support $3.2 million Town of Nags Head Bill & Mary Hannah Taft Mike & Gree Jones Gift Shops & Cost of Goods $3.9 million Union Concrete Time Warner Cable’s Connect a John & Marian Kutzer Membership & Development $0.8 million Management & General $0.6 million Million Minds Landfall Foundation Total Expenses $8.5 million For more detailed information, including financial records and organizational history, visit www.ncaquariumsociety.com. NONPROFIT ORG. North Carolina Aquarium Society US POSTAGE 3125 Poplarwood Court, Suite 160 PAID Raleigh, NC 27604 RALEIGH, NC PERMIT NO. 1930

NC AQUARIUM Carolyn Green Brian L. Pecheles Mary C. Watzin Alex MacFadyen SOCIETY BOARD Greensboro, NC Greenville, NC Raleigh, NC Raleigh, NC OF DIRECTORS Allan B. Harvin Walter Phillips Jordy Whichard Connie Parker Olivia Holding, Chair Goldsboro, NC Newport, NC Greenville, NC Wilmington, NC Raleigh, NC Tom Hackney Charles Pierce Ray White David Womack Charlton Burns, Wilson, NC Ahoskie, NC Nags Head, NC Greenville, NC Chair-Elect Susi H. Hamilton Edythe Poyner Hope Williams John Jordan (deceased) Morehead City, NC Raleigh, NC Raleigh, NC Raleigh, NC Raleigh, NC Drew Covert, Treasurer Art Keeney Chuck Revelle Rick Willetts Executive Staff Mt. Olive, NC Engelhard, NC Murfreesboro, NC Wilmington, NC Deborah Albert Neal Conoley, President Mary K. Lawrence Bruce Roberts Darlene Young Wendell, NC Wilmington, NC Newport, NC Brevard, NC Greensboro, NC Bill Belk Mark Joyner, Executive Bob Mattocks Joseph Sample Board Emeriti Vice President Charlotte, NC New Bern, NC Garner, NC Marvin L. Barnes Wake Forest, NC Myra Best Susan Moffat-Thomas Wes Seegars Durham, NC Jay Barnes, Director Raleigh, NC New Bern, NC Goldsboro, NC Frank L. Block of Development Rebecca Blount Adrienne Moore Jon Segal Wrightsville Beach, NC Raleigh, NC Greenville, NC Wilmington, NC New Bern, NC Alice Bost Heather Flynt, Controller Brick Brown Greg Nichols Bill Taft Greenville, NC Raleigh, NC Raleigh, NC Goldsboro, NC Greenville, NC Dick Futrell Sissy Chesnutt Betsy Oakley George W. Taylor Morehead City, NC New Bern, NC Greensboro, NC Wilmington, NC Jean Kilgore Charles Evans Jane Smith Patterson John Ward Raleigh, NC Manteo, NC Chapel Hill, NC New Bern, NC

The rocks below are Ballast Rocks found in the actual wreckage of the Queen Anne’s Revenge, which now lay in front of the Queen Anne’s Revenge habitat at the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

800.832.FISH www.ncaquariums.com www.jennettespier.net

This document was published by the NC Aquarium Society.