Since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, The Maritime Aquarium has received numerous questions from members of the public interested in helping.  The Maritime Aquarium has reached out to its professional associates in the Gulf region to provide us with the best direction for offering assistance and updated information on this environmental disaster.

Zoos and aquariums have been identified by key Federal agencies as important partners in animal rescue and rehabilitation for the Gulf’s wildlife. Many zoos and aquariums already have animal rescue and rehabilitation programs in place, with trained personnel and existing infrastructure being made available to help with the oil spill response. The Maritime Aquarium has offered resources to help with wildlife affected by the ongoing oil spill.  The daily harbor seal training demonstrations at The Maritime Aquarium will help inform visitors about issues related to the Gulf oil spill and alert the public to individual conservation efforts that really can make a difference.

The Maritime Aquarium has collaborated with Connecticut Sea Grant Program utilizing research, outreach and education to foster understanding and stewardship of coastal and marine resources. The Sea Grant Program of the five states bordering the Gulf region networks several university-based institutions. The Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant website offers a wide range of information—from volunteer opportunities and claims information to biological response services.  This website is continually updated by the 5 states surrounding the Gulf region and includes opportunities to support smaller, local facilities that have very limited resources.

Some concerned citizens would prefer to keep their support in their hometown region.  The Maritime Aquarium has the Creature Encounter program that seeks to educate and increase public stewardship of Long Island Sound and its watershed. To learn more about the Creature Encounter program and how to support other conservation based programs at The Maritime Aquarium read the letter below from Jennifer Herring, CEO/President of The Maritime Aquarium.

The focus and response of individual institutions and agencies-- as well as how to volunteer and donate-- are listed below. These are major facilities in Gulf Coast states playing a leading role in the rescue efforts.

Coordinated by the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, the Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program is the primary responder for the state of Louisiana for rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing marine mammals (dolphins, whales and manatees) and sea turtles.
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium has updated its reporting systems on beach conditions and the marine ecosystem. Mote Marine is collecting contact information from those interested in volunteering to assist as needed.  They have also launched two of three underwater robots offshore of Southwest Florida to patrol the Gulf for oil. The Fort Worth Zoo Albertsons and CBS 11/TXA 21 are partnering to raise money to aid in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts along the Gulf Coast.

The Florida Aquarium Center for Conservation is prepared for environmental restoration, stranding response and wildlife rehabilitation of marine mammals, river otters, sea turtles, and birds. The Center is also actively pursuing research and development of in-shore aquaculture and transplantation techniques for Atlantic corals as a strategy to stock emergency populations for restoration to damaged reefs.
Teams from designated institutions on the national Marine Mammal Stranding Network are prepared to assist with the rescue and rehabilitation of animals affected by the oil spill.

Information from Federal Agencies: The official site for the Deepwater Horizon Unified Command, deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/site/2931 is where BP, Transocean and Federal agencies provide the latest news, phone numbers, and information. Members of the public can also file claims and learn about volunteering.

As the nation’s leading scientific resource for oil spills, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been on the scene of the oil spill from the start, providing coordinated scientific weather and biological response services to federal, state and local organizations. Their main website is updated daily as is the main website for Fisheries constituents.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service continues to support the joint agency response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico with experienced specialists, land managers, and support personnel. The Service also is initiating Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration activities in this incident to assess and address the long-term damage to impacted resources.

The Maritime Aquarium is not responsible in any way for the accuracy of information on third-party websites.

Dear Friends,

As the Gulf catastrophe continues to unfold day by day, people are becoming aware as never before of the environmental costs, and how closely our livelihoods and well-being are tied to healthy oceans. 

We don’t know if the Gulf oil spill will affect our Long Island Sound waters, or if the migratory sea turtles and tropical fish which travel up the coast during the summer will be impaired.   We do know, however, that we need to monitor the marine life in our waters in order to be able to better protect it.  That’s why The Maritime Aquarium has organized the Long Island Sound Biodiversity Project.

We also know that pollution in our waters is an on-going threat.  In fact, government figures show that every day, year in and year out, 550,000 gallons of oil from our cars are finding their way into US waters.  About half of that comes from the Northeast.  There is something you can do about this drip-by-drip, day-by-day, year-after-year oil spill, as well as other simple actions you can take to reduce pollution in Long Island Sound waters. 

• Recycle your used motor oil or dispose of it properly at a hazardous waste collection site.  It is against the law to pour it down the drain or dump it in the sewer.  And keep your car in good repair, so it doesn’t drip oil.
• Scoop your pet’s poop, and dispose of it in the toilet or a secure garbage can.  NEVER throw it down the storm drain.
• Wash your car in the car wash (which recycles the detergent-laden water) not in your driveway, where it can run down into the sewer and into the waterways.
• Dispose of your litter where it cannot blow out onto the streets, parks or beaches.  Plastics last hundreds of years in the environment.
• Fertilize your lawn with organic fertilizers, use them sparingly, and don’t fertilize when rain is predicted.  The nitrogen and phosphorus that feed your lawn also nourish damaging algae blooms which kill fish.

Visitors to The Maritime Aquarium can learn more about these issues-- and get up close and personal with a live animal-- at our Creature Encounter program in the otter gallery.

Hopefully, the human and ecological tragedy unfolding in the Gulf will lead to national policies that safeguard the health of our oceans.  But no matter what, each of us can make simple changes in our lives that will help assure a healthy Long Island Sound for future generations to enjoy.  Thank you for caring.

Learn more about organizations focusing on Long Island Sound
and conservation issues by clicking the links below:

The old adage “there are plenty of fish in the sea” is no longer true. Seafood stocks are under increased pressure worldwide to provide for growing populations. This increased demand has taken a toll on fish populations and the health of the oceans. Two thirds of the world’s fishing areas are considered over fished; and the frenzy to keep up with the demand from consumers, produces a stunning 30 million tons a year of wasted catch–animals caught accidently and discarded for dead. This “by-catch” not only includes sharks and other fish, but turtles, sea birds and marine mammals as well. Efforts are being made to change the destructive fishing methods that damage habitats and produce tons of “by-catch” while aquaculture or “fish farming” is providing some relief to the demands on fisheries.

Sustainable seafood is becoming an increasingly important part of the formula for healthy oceans. Sustainable seafood is shellfish and sea fish that are caught or farmed in environmentally responsible ways. That means the methods used to grow or collect the fish did not impair the health and productivity of the ocean’s ecosystem. Many people assume that any fish that is farm raised is “good” or sustainable-- and that is not the case. Typical methods of farming fish have harmful impacts on fish populations and the environment. Open ocean net pens are sources of pollution from waste and excess feed, and can allow the spread of disease and parasites to wild fish populations. Genetically altered and non-native escapees from fish farms pose a different set of problems!

Conservation groups have developed public awareness campaigns to help inform us about the issues involved with keeping the oceans healthy. Seafood Watch is a program developed by Monterey Bay Aquarium to educate consumers about sustainable seafood. They publish a regional pocket guide with common seafoods listed as “Best Choices”, “Good Alternatives” or “Avoid” depending on the current status of the species. Click here for a current pocket guide for the Northeast.

The Maritime Aquarium proudly partners with Seafood Watch in advocating sustainable seafood. “The Maritime Aquarium wants to do more than display marine life for public enjoyment,” said Donna Schlegel, Director of Volunteer & Community Services and the Aquarium’s coordinator for the Seafood Watch program. “We want people to be informed about the importance of healthy oceans. We want them to know that as consumers they can make a difference by making smart choices, choosing fish and shellfish that are well managed.”

The Maritime Aquarium has been working with area businesses to support the guidelines offered by Seafood Watch. We would like to help our visitors find restaurants that feature sustainable seafood.

Support establishments that offer sustainable seafood. Carry your pocket guide with you and when you shop or dine out, ask questions about the seafood selections on the menu. There is a direct link between the seafood we eat and the health of the ocean. Make good choices for a healthy ocean. You can make a difference.

Seafood Watch has developed an extensive list of sustainable seafood programs tailored to consumers, restaurants, retailers, educators and links to other resources. Click on Seafood Watch to explore their website and take some steps to be part of the solution.