Fieldwork Resumes with New Safety Protocols Delivering Animal Care During Closure A Safe Reopening - It's time to live blue - New England Aquarium
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It’s time to live blue™ Fieldwork Resumes with New Safety Protocols Delivering Animal Care During Closure A Safe Reopening Members’ Magazine Volume 53, Number 3, Summer 2020
SCIENCE IN ACTION
Photo: Webb Chappell
IN THIS ISSUE Dear Friends,
Back to the Field
Science in Action I write on the heels of our successful reopen-
ing with renewed appreciation for the role the
Back to the Field 1 Aquarium plays in our extended community,
and deep gratitude and appreciation for our
Cool Jobs staff and for you, our members and supporters.
Aquarium Researchers Restart Their Field Season with New Safety Protocols
Continuing the Care 2
The past few months have been incredibly
challenging for so many. At the Aquarium,
Reopening where ticket sales and events make up 80 From the President and CEO
Science stops for no one—but fieldwork hopes to fly
did take a pause for COVID-19. Like the twice a month
percent of our revenue, the 18 weeks of our
A Safe Return 4 rest of the nation, the scientists and for the rest of the
temporary closure challenged our budget, but
researchers at the New England Aquarium summer and into
did not diminish our work to protect the blue planet. and our Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean September.
Life hit “pause” in mid-March when cases
@neaq.org As you’ll read in this issue, our facilities and animal care teams provided safe en- of the novel coronavirus started to spike. Things have
Our website is full of conservation information, animal facts, and
details that will help you plan your next trip to the Aquarium.
vironments and excellent care for our 20,000 animals at the Aquarium and at our been a little more
Animal Care Center in Quincy. Our scientists bided their time until they could “On Monday, no one ever thought we complicated for
On the cover: Visitors returning to the Aquarium.
Photo: Vanessa Kahn return to the field, advancing their research and publishing papers from home. were going to get sent home, but then by the right whale
Friday everything was stopped,” said Orla research team,
Our staff in various departments also rose to the challenge, supporting our O’Brien, Anderson Cabot Center Assistant which spends
blue is a quarterly magazine exclusively for members of
nearly 200 remote employees, educating and inspiring children and adults Scientist and member of the aerial survey every summer at
the New England Aquarium produced and published by the team. The team took their first flight of the Aquarium’s
New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110. from afar, stewarding existing resources, and seeking new funding.
the spring the Wednesday before the field house in Katherine McKenna, a research assistant with the aerial survey team,
Publishing office is located at 177 Milk St., Boston.
blue and all materials within are property of the Aquarium set its work-from-home orders Lubec, Maine, to takes photos during a June 2020 aerial survey of offshore wind energy
At the same time, a cross-section of staff came together to plan for a new areas sponsored by MassCEC and the Bureau of Ocean Energy
New England Aquarium. Reproduction of any materials and was grounded until safety protocols conduct vessel-
is possible only through written permission. © blue 2020 Aquarium experience that balanced safety with joy and wonder. could be established in early June. In based fieldwork in Management. Photo: Orla O'Brien
a normal year, the team would fly two the Bay of Fundy
Editoral Staff: Michelle Muccini, Creative Director; All this to help ensure the Aquarium’s future. to three times a month all spring—an and Gulf of St. Lawrence. This year’s Gulf mating nurse sharks on a remote site off
Victoria Watkins, Senior Marketing Coordinator
important time for data collecting as large of St. Lawrence work has been scrapped the Florida Keys. Until the second week in
Contributors: Emily Greenhalgh, Maria Palomino, I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to acknowledge our dedicated marine mammal species like the North entirely. The nature of that work—large June, they thought this year’s trip wouldn’t
John Shakespear staff and to thank you, our steadfast friends and members. Your support sustains Atlantic right whale make their way north. crews on large boats—made the risks be happening. That changed when Nick
us. We cannot wait to see you back on Central Wharf. from COVID-19 higher than either the was able to hop a flight on June 22.
General Information: 617-973-5200
“We’re not waiting for field season to start. Aquarium or our colleagues at Canadian
Membership: 617-973-6555, members@neaq.org
Navigator and Conservation Societies: Best, This has been our field season the whole institutions were willing to chance. But the Accommodations are different too:
617-226-2622, giving@neaq.org time,” said Orla. “So as soon as you tell Aquarium team is still headed into the Bay usually there are three or four researchers
The Tide: 617-973-5224, thetide@neaq.org me I can fly, I want to fly.” But as much as of Fundy, marking their 40th straight year bunked together in the old Civil War fort
she, and the rest of the scientists, were of research there. run by the National Park Service, but
anxious to get back into the field, they this year, the Park Service only allowed
Vikki N. Spruill wanted to do it safely. “Because every year is so different, it’s two Aquarium researchers and each was
President and CEO, New England Aquarium been interesting to have that long-term required to have his own room. It was a
As such, the Aquarium created new effort to see the ups and downs that challenge to measure and tag the sharks
guidelines to make sure that staff would the right whales are experiencing,” said with the limited field team. Nurse sharks
be safe during field season. Researchers Senior Scientist Amy Knowlton, adding can grow up to 7 feet long and usually
needed to apply to get their normal that the team is extremely interested to two scientists hold a shark while another
SUPPORT THE AQUARIUM TODAY...WITH A GIFT IN THE FUTURE fieldwork approved—explaining how they see if this spring’s lack of fishing has an writes measurements, attaches tags, and
Each year, the Aquarium is honored to receive bequests from forward-looking would utilize the CDC-recommended impact on the health of the population— collects other data.
New England Aquarium supporters, and every one of these gifts represents a unique legacy. Your guidelines for minimizing COVID-19 specifically whether there are fewer
Proudly Recognizes Our Lead Sponsors
bequest can support the Aquarium’s mission and help to inspire awe, curiosity, risk. Precautions included minimizing animals entangled in fishing gear than in “The difference between two people
understanding, caring, and action for our blue planet for years to come. the number of staff in the field, wearing previous years. and three people when tagging a shark
PPE, not sharing equipment, performing is huge. There were all kinds of unique
The Legacy Society honors individuals who have created a gift for the temperature checks, and enhanced It’s not just the New England Aquarium challenges this year,” said Nick. “It wasn't
Aquarium in their plans. If you have included the Aquarium in your will or cleaning protocols. that’s taking field protocols more seriously ideal, but we felt very lucky that we were
estate plans, please let us know so that we can convey our gratitude. than usual. For the last 26 years, Nick allowed to go out.”
We are grateful to The Boston Foundation for its The aerial survey team got back in the air Whitney and Wes Pratt—Aquarium
support of our reopening efforts. —Emily Greenhalgh
Please contact Margaret Phan, Individual Giving Officer, at 617-226-2145 or in early June and Orla called it a “return Senior Scientist and Adjunct Scientist,
mphan@neaq.org with questions or to notify us of your gift. to the new normal,” adding that the team respectively—have observed and tagged
1
cool jobs
Marine Mammals
Wondering if the marine mammals
Continuing the Care
noticed trainers in masks? Department
Co-supervisor Belinda Bracket says, “We
went—over a two-day period—to wearing
no masks to always wearing masks and
the animals showed next to no reaction.”
Was this surprising? “It was, because
they do pick up on different things.” For
example, she says, “with our sea lions,
To the 20,000 animals that call “Animal care and staff safety were together in new ways because we had to
our guiding principles throughout the change how we did our work.” if you have on different shoes, they’ll
the Aquarium home, the 124 days closure,” says Leigh Clayton, Vice stare at your feet. They notice if we’re not
of closure to the public were fairly President of Animal Care. The work of our rescue team also carried wearing our typical rain gear or if we’re
on. According to Rescue Manager Connie just wearing the khaki shorts....They are
routine. It was a different story Without the additional help of volun- Merigo, 15 rehabilitated loggerhead and just curious and observant by nature.”
for the members of our animal teers and interns, all care protocols Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were released in
care team. We spoke to several were reexamined for efficiency and July on Cape Cod.
departments were split into two non-
of these unsung heroes to gain a overlapping teams to allow for social “We have a lot to continue to figure out
better understanding of what life distancing. Routine medical procedures with coronavirus,” says Clayton, “co-
were postponed. “We adapted quickly,” existing with it and determining what
has been like over the past few according to Barbara Bailey, Curator of the new normal is—but the team has
months. Husbandry and Sustainability for the learned a lot and we have a really good
fishes department. “I think the experience foundation moving forward.”
also brought the entire [Aquarium] team
—Maria Palomino
Photo: Vanessa Kahn
Giant Ocean Tank Penguins
It’s no secret that our Giant Ocean Tank Island living continued uninterrupted
(GOT), which approximates a Caribbean for our penguin colony. Keeping this
coral reef, easily handles thousands massive 150,000-gallon exhibit going is
of visitors a day. This 40-foot wide quite a feat. In addition to the care and
cylindrical tank spans four stories and is feeding of 70 penguins, the exhibit’s six
home to 1,000 animals—including Myrtle islands require daily hand scrubbing
the turtle, bonnethead sharks, stingrays, and disinfecting, not to mention the
eels, and 100 other species. Daily pool vacuuming required. Supervisor
care for this 200,000-gallon salt water Eric Fox says they strived to keep things
exhibit is typically shared by 10 staff consistent for the animals and still
and volunteers. During the closure, the managed daily enrichment activities, like
GOT team transitioned to two alternating using floating ice blocks filled with fish
three-person care teams, with occasional to encourage swimming and water play.
assistance from other departments. He reports they are unphased by trainers
By creatively adapting dive times, GOT wearing masks and their new celebrity,
staffers were able to maximize feeding, thanks to live camera views of the exhibit
caretaking, training, and essential on the Aquarium’s website!
maintenance.
Photo: Vanessa Kahn Photo: Vanessa Kahn
2 3
reopening
A SAFE RETURN
the Sea exhibits will be closed. In-person
presentations in the main building and
O
events in the Simons Theatre will have
n July 16, after 124 relatively
to wait until it’s safe for large groups
quiet days here on Central
to gather.
Wharf, we reopened the majority
of our exhibits to the public. Now that
We have also ramped up our already
Massachusetts is in Phase 3 of its
rigorous sanitization protocols. Visitors
reopening plan, we are taking every
and staff will be required to wear face
precaution to ensure that your return to
coverings, and hand sanitizer will be
the Aquarium is a safe and enjoyable one.
available throughout the building. To
Photo: Marisa Bernal
ensure that our spaces stay germless,
“We are so eager to welcome back
we are working with Cushman &
visitors to Central Wharf,” says President
Wakefield, an experienced global
and CEO Vikki Spruill. “We know many
people cannot wait to see Myrtle the
property services provider. Membership Extensions
turtle, our penguins, and the 20,000 other We are pleased to offer an optional three-month extension for all memberships that
“They have an excellent safety training
marine animals in person.” were active during our closure. Many of our members have generously expressed
program that keeps them current in best
Photo: Vanessa Kahn practices as well as the purchasing power that they would like to support us during this time, and one way to offer support is by
In this unprecedented moment, Spruill
to allow us access to all the necessary keeping your original expiration date. If you would like to keep your original expiration
says, “the safety of visitors and staff is
cleaning and sanitizing products,” says date, we would be grateful. If you prefer to take the three-month extension, please
the number one priority.” The Aquarium under capacity, so that social and family “We are grateful to our members for their
Chris Fernald, Director of Facilities.
assembled an eleven-member, multi- units can maintain distance as they move continued support through this time, and complete the opt-in form online by August 31 by visiting https://bit.ly/3hbtWFn.
disciplinary working group to figure through the exhibits. we want to offer an optional three month
Throughout the lockdown, our dedicated
out every aspect of what it would take extension for all memberships that were
staff continued to feed and train our
to reopen safely, from new ticketing Currently, only 180 people are entering the active during our closure,” says Hailey
20,000 animals on-site, practicing social
and visitor flow procedures to social building each hour, with no more than 240 Conneely, Director of Membership and
distancing all the while. “Our staff were
distancing precautions. visitors inside at any given time—though Annual Giving. Information on how to opt-
hit with so much newness, and they did a
this number is subject to change as safety in to the membership extension can be
phenomenal job,” says Clayton.
“We made sure we brought together dictates. For comparison, as many as found on the Aquarium’s website at
the right people, with the right subject 1,600 visitors might pass through the neaq.org/memberupdates or in the
As for the animals, they’ve been mostly
matter expertise, to create this reopening Aquarium every hour on a typical pre- sidebar of this story.
unfazed by the human changes happen-
process,” says Vice President for Animal pandemic summer day.
ing around them, staying healthy through
Care Leigh Clayton, who directed the In addition to timed ticketing, we have put
these quiet months. Now, they get to see
group. As Clayton and her colleagues “We took a long, hard look at capacity in several other safety measures in place.
their fans again, even if it’s under new
drew up their plan, they kept an eagle the building to make sure that we could Following the lead of other aquariums
circumstances.
eye on safety guidelines provided by the maintain appropriate social distancing,” and museums that have reopened
state and the CDC, and consulted with says Deb Bobek, Associate Vice President successfully, we have designed a new,
“There is no doubt it is a different visitor
other U.S. aquariums that have already for Visitor Operations and Engagement. In unidirectional path through the main
experience,” says Vikki Spruill. “But
reopened safely. addition to ensuring safe distancing, she building. Director of Project Management,
we are equally focused on being the
says, a quieter visit offers “an opportunity Exhibits, and Planning Glenn Remick
Aquarium people love—a source of joy
One new—and crucial—element is timed to see the animals in a different light.” and his team created a clearly signed,
and inspiration, a place of science and
ticketing. Now, whether you purchase one-way journey through the exhibits
education, and an advocate for our blue
your tickets online or at the box office, Members were among the first to to minimize the likelihood of passing in
planet that motivates others to care about
you’ll choose a specific time of day for experience the reopened Aquarium during close quarters. For the time being, our
our ocean.”
your visit. This new system will ensure a soft opening the day before the building touch tanks will be view-only, and the
that the building and plaza remain well opened to the general public. interactive Science of Sharks and Edge of —John Shakespear
4 Photo: Vanessa Kahn
5
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Boston, MA
Permit 1113
Address Service Requested
18,650M/RD
Your Aquarium Needs You
Although we were closed to the public for 124 days,
our responsibility to deliver quality care for our
20,000 marine animals continued. We need the help
of individuals like you to ensure that we can continue
to realize our mission. Your continued membership
support or a gift of any size to our Mission Forward
Fund supports animal care both at the New England
Aquarium and our Animal Care Center in Quincy.
Photo: Marisa Bernal
Learn more: neaq.org/give
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