Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Over the years, more than 12 million of you have explored the Hall of Fishes. So to celebrate the past while looking towards an exciting future by inviting you to share your favorite Hall of Fishes memories with us! Here are two ways you can participate: 🐟 Through September, write down your favorite memory on one of the fish-shaped notecards located in the Galleria. Whether it's your first visit or your hundredth, we hope you will take a moment to share your favorite memory from your time in the Hall of Fishes. 📸 Share your favorite selfie with our lovely rescued Loggerhead Sea Turtle, a family photo in front of our Giant Kelp Forest, or simply a snapshot of your favorite fish! To participate, simply tag Birch Aquarium in your post and use #HallOfFishes in the caption! We might share a few of our favorites on our feed 🎉

🌅 Want to experience one of the most unique #sunset views in San Diego? Join us for a Sunset Scripps Pier Walk! Discover the research happening down at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, observe plankton under a microscope, learn about our local sharks and more! Advanced reservation is required. Tour times will vary with sunset times. Click the link below for more details ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gUiNkKqQ

gotta collect em all 🐙 To celebrate the legacy of the #HallOfFishes, we’re handing out special collectors cards featuring a different iconic #BirchAquarium animal! These limited-edition cards are free with aquarium admission, but are only up for grabs until the end of September. A limited number of cards are available each day so be sure get to the #aquarium early to snag one! A new card will be released each Wednesday. Please note, limit of one card per person.

🐋 Don’t miss our upcoming Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture on Monday, September 9, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. 🐋 Join Scripps Institution of Oceanography Acoustical Oceanographer Vanessa ZoBell for a deep dive into the importance of studying whale acoustics and how this research is used to understand the threats whales face in the modern ocean. Learn how data-driven, creative solutions are being developed to protect these important animals. This event is free for aquarium members and $12 for the public. Get tickets in the link below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gPX_JxCT

After the discovery of a rare short-crested oarfish (Regalecus russellii) in La Jolla Cove on Aug. 10, a team of scientists performed a necropsy on the specimen that had the ocean community buzzing. 🐟❗ Scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, California State University, Fullerton, and NOAA Fisheries' Southwest Fisheries Science Center studied the adult male which stretched an impressive 12.25 feet and tipped the scales at 74.3 pounds. The cause of death of the #oarfish, which was deemed to be in good condition, is still unknown. Scientists speculate that it could have washed up due to injury, illness, or disorientation. La Jolla Shores is situated next to two underwater canyons that funnel deep water close to shore. Samples collected during the necropsy will also be used for generating the first chromosome level genome of the oarfish, stable isotopic analysis to study the oarfish’s role in the marine food web, analysis of tissues for the presence of microplastics or DDT, reproductive analysis and more. “The discovery of this oarfish presents a rare opportunity to obtain fresh samples for genomic analysis, allowing us to study the evolutionary adaptations that enable this species to thrive in extreme deep-sea environments,” said Dahiana Arcila, marine biologist and curator of the Marine Vertebrate Collection at Scripps. “This finding also significantly contributes to documenting the biodiversity of our oceans, with each specimen providing valuable data to guide conservation efforts and enhance our understanding of marine ecosystems.” So, what’s next for our fishy friend? Following the examination, the fish is being preserved and is now part of the Marine Vertebrate Collection at Scripps, which houses one of the largest collections of deep-sea fish in the world. But that’s not all—Birch Aquarium at Scripps has rolled out a special temporary exhibit this week to celebrate this enigmatic creature! Head over to the main galleria to check out a life-size gyotaku art print of the oarfish, crafted by artist Dwight Hwang. Photos by UC San Diego photographer Erik Jepsen 📸 Want to dive deeper? Read more about the oarfish here: https://lnkd.in/gYX786Wm Support the ongoing research and discoveries of the Scripps oceanographic collections here: https://lnkd.in/gswpWvtM

Oar-some News 🐟 You may have heard that earlier this month a dead 12-foot Short Crested Oarfish surprised beachgoers near La Jolla Shores. Thanks to the beachgoers who notified lifeguards and scientists, the #Oarfish will be preserved for future research in the Marine Vertebrate Collection at Scripps Institution of Oceanography In the meantime, a gyotaku print by Dwight Hwang (also featured in our exhibition Hold Fast) gives us the opportunity to examine details of the animal just days after its discovery. Working alongside curator Dahiana Arcila and Ben Frable of Scripps Oceanography, Dwight used a special soot ink to make a print of the rare fish before scientists examined it in the lab. This Oarfish print is now on display for a limited time at #BirchAquarium! The Short Crested Oarfish lives in the ocean’s depths, often around 1,000 feet below the surface. Oarfish can grow to be over 30-feet-long! While some people believe that the appearance of Oarfish on the shore is a sign of an impending earthquake or disaster, scientists say that this is a myth. Oarfish likely end up on shore because they are sick, injured or disoriented. Instead of predicting doom, finding an Oarfish is a rare chance to learn more about these elusive creatures, which usually live far out of sight in the ocean’s twilight zone. Interested in supporting the incredible research and discoveries of the Scripps oceanographic collections? Donate now in the link below https://lnkd.in/eFvMYi8y #demure #mindful #deepseafish

We’re thrilled to announce Living Seas, a reimagined exhibition that invites guests to explore the wonders of the Pacific Ocean in order to inspire a love of nature, a sense of place and ocean optimism! Opening summer 2025, this exhibition will replace the aquarium’s famed Hall of Fishes and is the largest capital improvement since the aquarium was built in 1992. 🐙 Experience the Pacific Northwest's cooler waters, featuring an immersive Giant Pacific Octopus habitat and captivating jellies. 🐟 Discover Coastal California in the aquarium’s signature Giant Kelp Forest and a reimagined Scripps Pier experience that provides an engaging look at cutting-edge research from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 🪸Adventure to the Tropical Pacific, where stunning corals, vibrant reefs and a lush mangrove habitat await. Dive into the details of this exciting new exhibition and find out when renovations begin in the link below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gheDfp-g 🖼️ Image Rendering by Roto

We are saddened to announce Azulito the penguin, who was beloved by aquarium staff, passed away on August 8. Azulito came to Birch Aquarium from Australia in 2021 for the opening of Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins and was known for his curious personality and hooked beak. He was named Azulito — which means “little blue” in Spanish — through a public naming contest and quickly became an aquarium fan favorite. At nearly 11, Azulito was considered geriatric for a Little Blue Penguin and is believed to have died from natural causes. In the wild, the average lifespan of Little Blue Penguins is around 7-10 years, so Azulito lived a long life.

We’re leveling up the fun this Oceans at Night with classic arcade games like PacMan, Galaga, Super Mario Bros and more! Join us THIS THURSDAY (Aug. 22) for our fun-filled 21+ event at the aquarium that features live music, delicious drinks and even a twilight Kelp Forest Dive. Limited tickets are available so get them before we sell out! https://lnkd.in/g95V7_E9

Shark Summer may be over but our love for sharks is forever 🦈 Birch Aquarium is a proud partner of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums SAFE Sharks and Rays program! From contributing data to research projects, participating in science-based communications, fundraising and more, Birch Aquarium can promote shark and ray conservation while continually improving the quality of care of our resident animals thanks to this partnership! Dive into the details of our collective impact in the link below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ghicCnfT