Aquarium of the Bay

puffer-fSan Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay has transitioned from a for-profit organization to a leading non-profit group responsible for bringing key stakeholders together in the interest of educating and empowering citizens. Informal science education now drives everything the Aquarium does, including connecting visitors to the many different species of sharks that make San Francisco Bay home. Mostly though, the Aquarium is educating kids to become strong stewards of San Francisco Bay’s marine ecosystem.

Learn the mysteries of San Francisco Bay

When Alcatraz opened in 1934, rumors spread throughout the prisoners that there were sharks swarming around in the surrounding blue waters. To this day, many are still concerned about their safety out in San Francisco Bay. Recently on October 11, 2015, a rare sighting of a shark catching and eating a seal near Alcatraz was caught on video.

Plenty more interesting facts about area sharks can be discovered by visiting: http://aquariumofthebay.org/pages/detail/10665

Keeping a world-class public aquarium facility sustainable involves numerous aspects beyond making sure the over 20,000 animals inside the aquarium are receiving sustainably harvested food that totals 100,000 pounds yearly. Water handling, power consumption, and waste management are all part of the sustainable approach to running aquariums.

Learn how the aquarium operates sustainably

The Aquarium of the Bay thinks outside the tank too, and is playing a leadership role to ensure all of San Francisco consumes fish sustainably by following the Seafood Watch Program developed by the Monterey Aquarium.

Aquarium of the Bay works to promote literacy and positive action towards the health of the watershed and ocean through the lens of five critical issues: sustainable seafood, marine protected areas, marine debris and plastic pollution, climate change, and watershed health.

For more about the Aquariums research and conservation programs visit: http://aquariumofthebay.org/pages/index/?catid=69