ARTIFICIAL REEFS

FALL 2018 / VOLUME 63 From the President

If you build it, they will come.

That’s the premise of Area 51 and Area 53, the eerily named marine BOARD OF DIRECTORS protected areas operated just off our coastline by the Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Chairman Richard Roth Jonathan Zucker Missy Sauls In this instance, they refer not to ghosts of baseball legends, aliens Scott Snider Co Vice-Chairmen Peter Stonefield or other supernatural phenomena, but to imperiled fishes and species Pete Sniderman James H. “Jeddie” that might otherwise be overfished or depleted by other stressors. Dixon Woodward Suddeth III Emily Swanson For almost two decades, SCDNR has kept the location of these areas Treasurer George Watt secret, so that fish can spawn and congregate around artificial reefs J. Donald Higgins Pam Wilson Director Emeritus Tom Wright without the pressure of commercial and recreational fishing. This Stephanie Yarbrough increases the prospect that certain species, primarily snapper and Secretary Catherine Smith Chairmen Emeriti grouper, can grow to maturity. James L. Ferguson* Vice Secretary Kenneth “Ken” Seeger Jim Twining Hilton C. Smith, Jr. One persistent threat remains, however, in the form of voracious M. William lionfish, an invasive species from Asia that has an insatiable appetite Members Youngblood, Esq. Elizabeth Colbert- Jerry Zucker* and no natural predator save one – humans. The South Carolina Busch Aquarium is partnering with SCDNR to study the effects of removing Larry Colshan Directors Emeriti Peter Conway Pat Conroy* lionfish from Areas 51 and 53, to determine changes to the abundance John Danahy John Danahy and diversity of other species. Dierdre Fortson William A. Finn Clark Gillespy Bruce Hecker Fredrick “Fritz” Gitter, J. Donald Higgins Joining in the pursuit of knowledge and research about our marine M.D. Sheila Hodges W. Andrew Gowder, Jr. Peatsy Hollings* environments is central to our mission. That’s why the Aquarium Steve Gray Kate Jerome is partnering with NOAA, South Carolina Sea Grant, the College of Dwayne Green Robert R. Macdonald Jim Hansen Layton McCurdy, M.D. Charleston and others in staging the OCEANS 2018 conference in John A. Hill The Honorable Robert Charleston. This annual event brings together more than 2,500 of Mason Holland E. McNair* Valerie Howell Mary Alice Monroe the world’s leading scientists, technologists and oceanographers to David Johnston The Honorable examine critical marine issues and innovative solutions, and it is being Satch Krantz Richard W. Riley Brenda Lauderback Victor Samra, Jr.* held in the Southeast U.S. for the first time. The program is being Gary McLaurin Theodore Stern* completed as this issue goes to press, and you can learn more by Jay Millen John Neely *deceased visiting our website or oceansconference.org.

Our commitment to science and preserving the natural world is only TRIBUTARIES STAFF made possible through the generous support of members like you. Thank you for helping us to protect what we love, and to sustain our EDITORIAL STAFF oceans for future generations. Amie Yam-Babinchak, Senior Manager Advancement Communications [email protected]

Jessica Cooper, Membership Manager [email protected]

Sarah Burnheimer, Editor & Staff Writer [email protected]

Danielle Raub, Staff Writer Kevin Mills, President and CEO [email protected]

DESIGN STAFF Tracey Waters, Art Director & Graphic Designer [email protected]

Hannah Zickmund, Graphic Designer [email protected]

Membership Department [email protected] (843) 579-8518

Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Aquarium News

Litter Sweeps Successful Becoming a Sensory- Renovations in the on Mosquito Beach Inclusive Facility Saltmarsh Aviary

Alongside Island Breeze restaurant and We’re working toward becoming a Beginning this fall, the Saltmarsh Aviary Preserve the Gullah, a nonprofit focused sensory-inclusive facility with the help is undergoing some pretty significant on preserving the historical, economical of KultureCity, a nonprofit organization upgrades! Along the perimeter of the and ecological legacy of the Gullah dedicated to creating acceptance and exhibit, the mesh netting will be removed culture, we partnered to host a series of inclusion for all individuals. Staff and and replaced with new material. This litter sweeps and educational programs volunteers will undergo training to will take approximately four months throughout the summer to clean up the better accommodate guests with sensory to complete. During this time, the legendary Gullah Geechee community of issues like autism, PTSD, Parkinson’s, Saltmarsh Aviary will be closed so that Mosquito Beach on James Island. Despite OCD, ADHD and stroke patients. maintenance workers can place scaffolding pressure from developers, this waterfront inside the exhibit to make removal and community remains in its natural state, Some hurdles for guests with autism replacement easy and efficient. Where offering habitat for local wildlife. Using include bright lights, loud sounds, will our birds go during this time, you the Litter-free Digital Journal, a citizen crowds and communication. Starting might ask? Not to worry, they’ll be science project of the South Carolina this November, we will have sensory enjoying a staycation in private quarters Aquarium, conservationists collected kits available to help guests with at over in West and logged hundreds of pieces of autism and their families enjoy Ashley until the renovations are complete! litter, including cigarette butts, straws, the Aquarium! Thanks to a grant Stay tuned for details and updates. bottle caps, food wrappers and more. from Volvo Car US Operations, the Lowcountry Autism Foundation will Anyone can participate in or plan a litter be able to test out the kits during a sweep in their own community – visit private Sensory Seas event onsite. scaquarium.org/citizenscience to learn more! Kits include noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, maps that highlight quiet and sensory areas, identification tags and communication cards. These kits can be checked out free-of-charge upon arrival.

1 1 What’s Happening

SHRIMPING CLINIC SOUTHERN SPIRITS WITH SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AN AFTER HOURS EVENT NATURAL RESOURCES

OCTOBER 26 OCTOBER 20 7 – 10 p.m. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Aquarium Melton Peter Demetre Park (Sunrise Park), James Island Celebrate Halloween with spooktacular tastings of some of the best spirits in Get ready for shrimping season with the South! Come in tasteful costume this hands-on clinic in partnership with and prepare your palates to sample SCDNR and Good Catch partner, The drinks from local distilleries and Mills House – Wyndham Grand. Practice beyond. Sustainably sourced small shrimping from a dock, learn the basics plates from Good Catch partners, of shrimp baiting and get tips to make entertainment and a beer and wine bar your shrimping efforts more successful. are also provided with purchase of your SIRENS OF THE SEA Afterwards, enjoy a Lowcountry boil! all-inclusive ticket. Event is 21+. TRACKING LOCAL MANATEE MIGRATIONS Recommended for ages 8 and up. $15 Tickets are $45 each, and member per member. Reservations required; to tickets are $40. Learn more at NOVEMBER 6 reserve, call (843) 579-8518. scaquarium.org/afterhours. 6 – 7:30 p.m. Aquarium

THE LITTLE GYM At this Holland Lifelong Learning session, learn all about the sirens of the sea! Manatees, enormous yet NOVEMBER 6, DECEMBER 4, docile marine mammals, visit the South JANUARY 8 & FEBRUARY 5 Carolina coast annually. Despite their 10 – 10:30 a.m. size, they are rarely seen. Learn more Aquarium about this elusive animal and what The Little Gym helps lay the foundation tracking studies are uncovering with for children to become coordinated, retired SCDNR veterinarian confident and involved little people Dr. Al Segars. Buy tickets at through activities such as warm-ups scaquarium.org/lifelonglearning. MORRIS ISLAND BOAT CHARTER to directive music, tumbling and more! WITH COASTAL EXPEDITIONS Recommended for ages 2-5. Free for members. Registration opens one DANCE MOVES OCTOBER 20 month in advance, and space is limited. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Reservations required; to reserve, call NOVEMBER 8, DECEMBER 13, Coastal Expeditions Shem Creek Campus (843) 579-8518. JANUARY 10 & FEBRUARY 7 10 – 10:30 a.m. You can’t go wrong with cruising Aquarium over the inlet and viewing the Morris Island Lighthouse in the foreground. Join us for a fun and energetic class This outing is timed with a lower tide from Dance Moves of Charleston! to allow for some walking on the Explore basic ballet moves, warm- nearshore bars that emerge around ups and stretches, movements across the lighthouse, giving photographers the floor, jumping and turning. Boys opportunities at different angles. As and girls ages 2-6 are welcome. you take in the sights, you’ll be greeted Comfortable clothing or dance attire by a myriad of birds, dolphins and recommended. Free for members. more! $25 per member. Reservations Registration opens one month required; to book, call Coastal in advance, and space is limited. Expeditions at (843) 884-7684. Reservations required; to reserve, call 2 (843) 579-8518. There’s always more to explore SCAQUARIUM.ORG/CALENDAR

MEET THE KEEPER (REPTILES) TADPOLE EXPLORERS HAVANA NIGHTS SEA LIFE BY STARLIGHT PARTY

NOVEMBER 10 NOVEMBER 17 10:30 a.m. – noon 8 – 9 a.m. DECEMBER 8 Aquarium Aquarium 8 – 11 p.m. Aquarium Join our herpetologist, Joshua Zalabak, Guests from ages 1-3 get the Aquarium on a fun “edventure” and learn what all to themselves! Enjoy stations in the Celebrate the holidays in steamy it’s like to care for some of our scaly Lower Ocean Gallery including animal Havana Nights style and support a animals at the Aquarium. Find out how encounters and foam block building. bright future for sea turtles at the 8th he handles venomous snakes, watch Snacks, coffee and muffins will be annual Sea Life by Starlight. Come salsa as he feeds a snake and learn how he provided. $10 per toddler; two adults under the sea and enjoy delicious small gives Alabaster the albino alligator free per toddler. Reservations required; plates from our Good Catch partners, his annual physical. Recommended to reserve, call (843) 579-8518. an open bar, live music, dazzling for ages 6 and up. $5 per participant; entertainment and a silent auction – all chaperones attend free. included with your ticket. Wearing your Reservations required; to reserve, HOMESCHOOL EXPLORERS CLUB finest Havana Nights attire, cha-cha- call (843) 579-8518. OCEAN EXPLORATION chá for the sea turtles until your fedora falls off. It will be a sultry night you won’t forget! Event is 21+. Buy tickets at NOVEMBER 28 scaquarium.org/slbsl. OYSTERFEST 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. AN AFTER HOURS EVENT Aquarium

NOVEMBER 16 Especially for homeschooling families! HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. Come discover the world of ocean Aquarium exploration. Learn why we explore, how DECEMBER 17 we explore, what has been discovered, 6 – 8 p.m. It’s open season for Lowcountry oyster and who explores our oceans. Take Aquarium harvesting! Join us for a shuckin’ home new ideas about how you can good time at our biannual oyster protect and conserve our planet’s Join us for a festive, family-friendly festival featuring some of Charleston’s oceans from the waves on our beaches evening celebration! Enjoy light finest local cuisine and seafood fare. to the deepest ecosystems in the world. refreshments, pictures with Santa, Sustainably sourced small plates from Member tickets are $9.50 (grades K-8) cookie decorating stations, holiday Good Catch partners, entertainment and $13.50 (grades 9-12). Learn more at crafts and animal encounters. Shop and a beer and wine bar are also scaqarium.org/homeschool. To buy for friends and family with a one-day- provided with purchase of your all- tickets, call (843) 577-FISH (3474). only 20% discount in the Aquarium Gift inclusive ticket. Event is 21+. VIP tickets Shop. $10 per member adult; $5 per are $75, general tickets are $50 and member child; children 2 and under member tickets are $45. Learn more at free. Registration opens November 1. scaquarium.org/afterhours. Reservations required; to reserve, call (843) 579-8518.

LEGEND: MEMBERS ONLY / PUBLIC EVENT

3 Artificial Reefs: CREATING UNDERWATER COMMUNITIES

WHAT’S IN THE WATER? reef coordinator at SCDNR, and his types of marine life. In addition to team focus their daily efforts on sinking pre-made structures, SCDNR One glimpse in our Great Ocean helping local fish populations thrive also creates their own. They design Tank, a window to the underwater by constructing and continuously molds to make box and cone-shaped world, reveals the ocean is teeming improving artificial reef sites. reefs out of concrete, using PVC with life. But similar to what you see pipes to construct holes through across the Lowcountry horizon, most So what is an artificial reef? which the fish can swim in and out. of the seafloor offshore is pretty flat. Though you can find underwater Dotted across the seafloor off South rock formations, called hard-bottom Carolina lies a variety of artificial habitats, they aren’t as abundant as reefs that were purposefully sunk. we assume. With few natural habitats This includes hundreds of vessels, for marine life to safely stay and such as old ships, tugboats or grow, where can they go? Artificial barges. You’ll even find a Coast reef sites are giving fish populations Guard cutter and the hull of a Navy a fin up with help from humankind. destroyer submerged below. Some unconventional structures include Artificial reefs are man-made things you wouldn’t typically see in structures serving as underwater the water, such as army tanks and apartment buildings for marine New York City subway cars. There’s a life. Currently, 48 sites comprised bit of Charleston history beneath the of thousands of artificial reefs are sea, too. Tons of concrete rubble from maintained by the South Carolina the demolition of the old Cooper Department of Natural Resources River bridges is currently underwater, (SCDNR). Bob Martore, artificial functioning as a habitat for many

4 BUILDING SAFE SPACES TO reef sites during construction and GROW UP upkeep, he saw over time that black sea bass and red snapper populations Martore and his team’s hard work were dramatically increasing. has immediate impacts as well as Just recently, a limited harvest long-term benefits. Fish show up on season opened for red snapper artificial reefs within hours; after for recreational and commercial a year, a complete community can fishermen. And since local black sea be seen swimming throughout. bass populations are thriving, they’re Sometimes a celebrity sea creature considered a great sustainable moves in too, like a nurse shark or a seafood choice under our Good Catch spotted moray! guidelines! Because of their varying shapes, sizes and locations, artificial reefs help fish throughout their life stages. Many species stay close to shore when they’re younger because of plentiful food options and then swim offshore as they get older. Much like moving up a grade level in school, the differing artificial reefs act as stepping stones and serve as protective habitats as they age. When they outgrow one reef and ocean depth, they swim on to another. Eventually, they reach adulthood and begin spawning to create more fish.

Take for example black sea bass and red snapper. Ten years ago, they were considered overfished and the federal government placed restrictions on catching them. However, when Martore would dive on the artificial

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1. Color this scene on this sheet or a printable download at scaquarium.org/colorthisreef.

2. Turn in your completed coloring sheet at Ollie’s Trading Post, or send a photo of it to [email protected] by December 31. Include your name, age, and phone number or email address.

3. Winners in the age groups of 3-5 years, 6-8 years and 9-12 years will receive an Aquarium prize package including $25 to spend at the Aquarium Gift Shop. Winners will be notified by January 31 , and winning artwork may be used in Aquarium promotions. R O C S U R V E Y W E C O L D I V E R U E E N Z S H A R K M F A E G R O U P E R R N L I O N F I S H

Reef Lionfish Diver Shark Cone Grouper Ocean Survey REEF RESEARCH

Though these MPA designations help remove man as a predator, underwater threats still exist. After all, artificial reefs are still an attractive housing unit. Lionfish, invasive to the Atlantic Ocean, are a potent fish with venomous spines and a voracious appetite that have settled into natural and artificial reefs. They’ll feast on anything and everything, but they’re especially a threat to young fish living in the MPAs. If many don’t reach adulthood because they’re too tasty for lionfish to turn down, what will their population look like 20-30 years from now? We can’t just sit back to wait Arnold Postell places a lionfish taken off of Area 53 into a Zookeeper, a specialized and see. container that holds culled lionfish and protects divers from their venomous spines. Through the Aquarium’s new Reef A PERMIT FOR EXTRA reef sites in South Carolina. For Research program – made possible PROTECTION snapper and grouper species, who are through the generous support of pivotal in balancing the food chain, Jordana and Scott Snider – our dive Currently, most artificial reef sites these MPAs are especially important. operations team is studying the are located in areas that both fish Not only do they take years to reach impact of lionfish on these MPAs and fishermen can easily access. adulthood, but they also favor the in the pilot research project. On a They are by fishing piers, in shallow deeper water for spawning. monthly basis, staff and volunteers water depths and areas where heavy are boating 90 minutes offshore to boat traffic occurs. However, some Even though bottom fishing is dive on the MPAs. Initially, we are sites hold such significance for banned in MPAs, they can still benefit removing lionfish from certain areas maintaining a balanced ocean that fishermen down the road. If fish don’t while leaving others untouched. We they require extra protection to meet face the impending threat of being are also capturing underwater video long-term goals. baited and caught, they grow with footage to survey the surrounding minimal threats in these protected fish, paying close attention to the Two artificial reef sites located habitats. In turn, they spawn and different species and quantities. 40+ miles offshore were recently increase their population. Over time, Hopefully, we’ll be able to unmask designated as marine protected areas the MPAs will become overcrowded the impact lionfish are having on (MPAs) by the South Atlantic Fishery and the fish will float into local fish populations, in turn helping Management Council. These are the unprotected waters. This is known as SCDNR with their efforts to develop first of their kind in the nation! Under “spillover.” When spillover occurs, it’s effective fish management programs MPA guidelines, no bottom fishing is every fish for himself, and fishermen for the future. allowed here, unlike other artificial are free to catch!

ATLANTIC CHARLESTON OCEAN

AREA 51

6 AREA 53 WHO’S BEHIND THE MASK? MEET THE DIVE OPERATIONS TEAM

Arnold Postell Ryan Yuen Markus Pallos Dive Safety Officer and Senior Biologist Assistant Dive Safety Officer Research/Maintenance Diver

Arnold’s Aquarium tenure dates Ryan is a California transplant who Markus’ diving career has led him from back before our doors opened! After has worked as a diver, aquarist Massachusetts to around the globe. graduating from the University of and instructor in various facilities He’s worked as a divemaster and Georgia and a two-year research stint throughout the Golden State. He’s instructor in Indonesia, , the in the Costa Rican rainforest, Arnold also a trained AAUS scientific diver British Virgin Islands and Vietnam. He’s returned to his native Charleston as the and participated in thresher shark also participated in numerous artificial Aquarium’s horticulturist. Soon after, research in the Philippines. Currently, reef monitoring projects worldwide, Arnold became dive safety officer and Ryan is our scuba safety guru and gear giving him ample experience for Reef biologist for the Great Ocean Tank. repair technician at the Aquarium. Research. A former intern with the He’s been instrumental in developing He’s leading diver training for Reef Aquarium, Markus now works full-time our dive program to meet commercial Research as well as facilitating dive helping organize the dive research and scientific dive standards and safety protocol and capturing footage trips, including captaining the boat, gain membership into the American offshore. capturing footage and creating diver Association of Underwater Sciences training materials. (AAUS). He also helped formulate dive safety guidelines and manuals for Association of Zoos and Aquariums facilities. Aligning with his personal and professional experiences in the dive industry, Arnold is the principal investigator for Reef Research. He FOLLOW REEF RESEARCH manages all facets of the program, including lionfish removal efforts. Interested in seeing what our divers discover? Follow along on our social media channels for footage and updates. For more information on our work, visit scaquarium.org/reef-research.

7 Conservation Matters

GIVE THE GIFT OF GREEN

At the South Carolina Aquarium, we’re committed to conserving water, wildlife and wild places. As the season of giving starts, so does the search for the perfect present. Why not protect what you love and give gifts that give back to the planet this holiday season? Below are some sustainable and conservation-minded options sure to spread cheer throughout the year!

Gift your loved one with a Do you have a seafood Continue to help create South Carolina Aquarium lover on your list? Get healthy habits by gifting membership. Not only can them a gift card to one of other alternatives to members visit the Aquarium our Good Catch partner single-use plastic, such as often as they like, but restaurants! Good Catch as reusable bags, water they’ll receive exclusive benefits partners serve a higher percentage bottles and coffee cups, produce like special discounts, invitations to of sustainable seafood sourced from bags, sandwich wrappers, eating member-only events, a subscription southeast regional fisheries, and utensils and even toothbrushes! to our member magazine and more. Platinum partners also commit to There are tons of eco-friendly It’s truly the gift that keeps on giving! reducing their single-use plastic use. substitutes for everyday items, so you For a full list of our can help your loved ones minimize Good Catch partners, visit their plastic waste and maximize our scaquarium.org/goodcatch. planet’s health and well-being.

8 Shop for the sea turtles Invest in the Aquarium’s Help your friends make with Strawesome mission in honor of a their daily skincare routine and Aardvark Straws. friend or family through a daily earth care routine, Strawesome has reusable Pillars of Support. With a too! Many skincare items glass straws and Aardvark gift starting at $500, your and over-the-counter drugs, Straws has paper loved one’s name will be especially exfoliators, straws for purchase, each perfect beautifully and artistically displayed contain plastic microbeads that alternatives to single-use plastic on a legacy fish on one of four go down the drain and into our straws. They’re both adorned with lighted pillars, prominently exhibited waterways. Make a DIY body scrub adorable sea turtles so your friends within the Aquarium’s Great Hall. out of coconut oil and sugar or honey and family can suck in style! Lastly, a Learn more at and oats. And don’t forget the eco- portion of the proceeds from sales go scaquarium.org/pillars-support. friendly container! Mason jars are toward our Sea Turtle Care Center™. durable, made in many different sizes and are great for homemade gifts.

NEWSPAPERS GREEN UP COLORED YARN make great wrapping is a fun twist on ways (and reading) material YOUR to tie up a gift GIFT WRAPPING

BROWN PAPER BAGS CRAFT RIBBON The possibilities are truly endless, carrying groceries can then be comes in many designs and adds the so don’t be afraid to get creative! used to carry gifts perfect finishing touch

FABRIC SCRAP PAPER BOWS is a durable and decorative option for are simple to make and a great way to gifts of odd shapes and sizes reuse old paperwork

9 What’s Your Story?

The Establishment Nestled amid the palm-lined streets and historic brick buildings characteristic of the Holy City, you’ll find one of Charleston’s newest seafood restaurants, The Establishment. Dedicated to sourcing fresh ingredients directly from local farmers and fishermen, executive chef Matt Canter has always The Establishment became a Good Catch platinum partner before opening its doors, placed special emphasis vowing that at least 50% of its seafood would be locally and sustainably sourced on supporting sustainable and that they would do away with single-use plastic. The restaurant also recognized that more could be done to ensure that diners not only enjoyed a fine selection of seafood and other tenets of seafood dishes, but that while doing so they were educated on the importance of the Aquarium’s mission. maintaining a balanced ocean. The culmination of their goals and discussions with the Aquarium’s team was the creation of a quarterly dinner series beginning this fall at The Establishment. Featuring Arnold Postell, principal investigator of Reef Research, these dinners will showcase the team’s current findings and ongoing fieldwork efforts. Additionally, they’ll highlight the importance of removing invasive species, such as lionfish, and how the community can play a part in protecting our oceans, both locally and globally. Each dinner will comprise wine pairings alongside an exclusive menu specially created to coincide with the discussion. A portion of proceeds from each dinner will directly support the Reef Research program, creating a sustainable funding stream to support the continuation of our important ocean conservation work.

As an advocate for ocean health and conservation, The Establishment is excited to host members of the Aquarium family any night of the week, including all of you!

Show your membership card while dining at The Establishment and you and your guests will be warmly welcomed with a complimentary champagne toast for the table.

10 How it’s Made: Kids Coast

We are excited to introduce the completion of Kids Coast this fall with the addition of a new interactive wall dedicated to connecting young explorers with STEM schematics. Kids Coast was the ideation of an early learning initiative brainstorm for the Watershed Campaign, aimed at expanding the Aquarium’s education programming to toddlers and our pre-K audience. Phase II of Kids Coast encompasses an exciting environment where children can learn nature- based concepts through discovery and exploration. These concepts include water movement, oxygenation, mechanics, engineering, simple machines and more!

HOW DID WE BRING THIS EXHIBIT TO LIFE?

The Aquarium is lucky to have to a professional fabricator to be laser extremely talented staff that can take cut for in-house assembly. a concept, turn it into a vision and then produce what members and guests Once received, it’s on to installation by will see in our main galleries. The our exhibits team. Look for the newest rendering you see here is the exhibit addition along the second-floor corridor blueprint, created by our own Kevin near the existing Kids Coast play area, Kampwerth, director of brand identity officially opening in October! and Aquarium experience. Next, our Kids Coast came to life thanks to exhibit specialists Jon and Nigel took a $150,000 grant from the PNC that 2-dimensional depiction and turned Foundation, which is funded by the PNC it into reality. This included weeks of Financial Services Group, the parent research, trial and error and creative company of PNC Bank. imaginations. After creating a series of prototypes that underwent numerous tests and modifications to ensure functionality, the final product was sent

AN ARTIST’S RENDERING OF KIDS COAST

11 Sea Turtle Care Center™ Update

WHAT’S CURRENT WITH guidance of the McNair Family chief Based on our observations so far, we veterinarian Dr. Shane Boylan, has believe this multifaceted tank has OUR EXERCISE TANK been assessing behavioral shifts the potential to revolutionize the sea depending on the level of current. turtle rehabilitation process and is a Two loggerheads and three kemp’s great addition to the Sea Turtle Care ridleys have utilized (or exercised in) Center and the McNair Center for Sea this tank so far. Preliminary results Turtle Conservation and Research. With the inception of our in-house suggest that a rectangular shape research facility, the McNair Center for promotes increased activity more Sea Turtle Conservation and Research, than a rounded tank in both species. we’ve had more opportunity than Additionally, results indicate that ever before to study the best healing the jets are not powerful enough techniques for our sea turtle patients, to significantly modify loggerhead particularly through our new exercise swimming behavior. However, the tank. At 3,142 gallons, this rectangular exercise tank does promote swimming tank is the second largest tank in the by Kemp’s ridleys in its current set up. Sea Turtle Care Center. It can function as an “endless pool” with a continuous Our ongoing goal is to evaluate current simulated by four small jets and and increase rehabilitation success one large river jet. Providing exercise across all species of sea turtles and and therapy opportunities for our prepare our patients for the best patients, it allows them to “stretch their chance of survival after release. flippers” before release into the wild. Currently, staff is using it for weekly physical therapy sessions for one Since its installation, Sea Turtle of our longer-term patients, Kathy, Care Center staff, under the who suffers from spinal trauma.

12 Feed the Fish A Behind the Scenes Experience

Daily at 2:30 p.m. Tickets $15 (Members $14) Must be 8 years old to participate · Subject to availability Purchase at the gate or online at scaquarium.org

Sirens of the Sea Tracking Local Manatee Migrations 111

ielong earning Unearthing a Mystery Stories from Marine Mammal Paleontologists 111

Explore top issues in conservation, Loe on Land and Sea An Eening research and science with expert-led ith Ron Magill discussions geared toward adults. 1 Learn more and register to attend at scaquarium.org/lifelonglearning. World of Wonder What Lies Beneath 31

13 © TRIBUTARIES, SOUTH CAROLINA AQUARIUM, 2018 PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY SCAQUARIUM.ORG - 11 p.m. CHARLESTON,SC 29401 SEA LIFE BY STARLIGHT PARTY STARLIGHT SEA LIFE BY Learn more at scaquarium.org/slbsl more Learn SATURDAY DECEMBER DECEMBER SATURDAY 100 AQUARIUM WHARF AQUARIUM 100 BENEFITING THE SEA TURTLE CARE CENTER CARE TURTLE BENEFITING THE SEA THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON 100% RECYCLED PAPER