Sea Research Foundation

Perhaps like many of you, I have been very disturbed by the rash of dead seals showing up on Cape Cod beaches over the past few weeks as victims of gunshots. Some theorize that as the Gray Seal population has rebounded in Cape Cod Bay, they are attracting predators such as sharks which in turn create challenges for an economy dependent upon sandy, swimmable beaches. Others theorize that the seals are eating large quantities of fish, diminishing stocks for the local fishing fleets.

We know that seals and other marine mammals are vital to a healthy and sustainable ecosystem. The resurgence of the Gray Seal population on Cape Cod is a sign of health and should be welcomed as such. Only when we adjust our economic activities to the balance of nature do we create sustainable long-term industries. 

Some people have correctly written in newspaper blogs that sometimes we focus more attention on a story such as the death of seals then we do on the murder of human beings in many of our cities, a reality that occurs in larger numbers and with greater frequency than this particular set of incidents. However, we need to remind ourselves that the plight of animals and humans are inter-related. When we care for one we care for the other; they are intertwined moral imperatives. The willful killing of any mammal is a tragedy that should be condemned and lamented for the loss that the death brings.  

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 On Friday, June 10, Mystic Aquarium hosted two United States Senators, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse from Rhode Island and Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut. The evening was a tribute to Senator Whitehouse who has single-handedly resurrected the ocean caucus – gathering a bipartisan group of Senators – who care about ocean issues and seek to find common ground in relation to ocean policy. The last time that the Senate had an ocean caucus was under the leadership of Senator Fritz Hollings of South Carolina who retired several years ago.

Senator Blumenthal expressed his keen support for our educational outreach programs during his talk. Earlier in the evening and before he arrived, he telephoned me to talk about how the Fiscal Year 2011 federal budget was impacting our programs. He has pledged to help in whatever way that he can and I know that he will, but the rancorous tone in Washington seems to be keeping progress on many important issues, including funding for our programs, at bay. 

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Much has been happening to kick-start our summer season. Here are some advertisements that have run recently and some great stories on Mystic Aquarium:

Television Advertisements 

WNPR’s “The Faith Middleton Show”

NBC CT live with our beluga whales

African penguins on WTNH’s “Connecticut Style”

African penguins in New Haven Register

Also, as you drive up and down I95, keep an eye out for our new billboards!

 
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I want to say a special thank you to Director of Guest and Member Services Celinda Beaudreau who has served as chair of the Accessibility Committee since its inception a few years ago. Under Celinda's leadership we have made tremendous strides in improving accessibility for guests with physical and other challenges. Celinda brought to this role a passion for providing people with the best possible experience at Mystic Aquarium as well as an innate sensitivity to the special needs of individuals with particular physical and emotional challenges.

Celinda has asked that she be allowed to step down as chair of the committee and I have reluctantly accepted her wish to focus on other aspects of Guest services. I will be appointing a new chair in the next few weeks but I want to thank her for the tremendous leadership that she has brought to this important area of focus for our organization.

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Volunteer Appreciation Night at Mystic Aquarium on June 6 brought out several hundred volunteers for a fun-packed evening of food, festivity and awards. Board of Trustees Vice-Chairman Dan Verdier welcomed and thanked our volunteers for their incredible work. And I thanked Dan for his own many and varied volunteer contributions as a Trustee.

 The “Jersey Shore” video, starring husbandry staff, saluted our volunteers in hilarious fashion. Once again, volunteer Marliese Friedman swept the “Most Volunteer Hours” category with an astounding 1,075 hours of donated time. Nancy Hicks came in with an impressive 920 hours. Full-time high school student Dominique Jeffers landed an incredible 728 hours, often working entire weekends to beat the band. All told, volunteers contributed nearly 55,000 hours of work across many critical areas of aquarium this year. Congratulations and thanks to all of our volunteers who enable Sea Research Foundation to serve its animals, guests and important mission. And thank you, Volunteer Supervisor Tracy Sullivan, for leading the charge and inspiring our amazing volunteers.

And thanks to all of you - guests, volunteers, Trustees, staff, members, and friends - for your continued contributions to making Mystic Aquarium a great place to visit and a great place to work.

- Steve