An ocean of opportunities in 2024

The new year brings fresh opportunities to make a difference for our ocean planet — and to delight in the remarkable animals and plants that live in this vast, blue world.

The dream that sparked creation of Monterey Bay Aquarium 40 years ago was simple — and ambitious. We wanted to inspire people to fall in love with ocean life. We opened our doors in October 1984 and invited our guests to see for themselves what lies below the surface. I’m happy that so many of you have taken us up on the offer!

We’ve been around for two generations now, and we’re truly making a difference. It starts in the hearts of more than 71 million guests we’ve hosted — including more than 2.7 million schoolchildren who’ve visited free of charge. Maybe you first came here on a field trip, or with your family; maybe you’re now sharing the experience with your friends, and with children (or grandchildren) of your own.

Maybe you have yet to visit and are one of the nearly four million people worldwide who connect with us through our social media channels, or in documentaries, magazine articles – and even popular films. (Hello, Star Trek IV!)

We’ve set the standard for aquariums and zoos around the world. We continue to create memorable moments for everyone who visits, whether in person or virtually. There is so much to marvel at. I’m always astonished by the incredible animals our team puts on exhibit — from deep-sea jellies and soft corals, to the latest ocean sunfish — and I hope you are, too.

Over nearly four decades, we’ve become so much more than an aquarium. Today, we’re a leading source of ocean education, and a respected — and effective — voice in the global conservation community.

In celebration of our 40th anniversary — and to continue to push our mission further — we’re refreshing the look and feel of all our communications. Everything that represents the Aquarium — from our logo, website, Shorelines member magazine, to signage and staff uniforms — will be getting an update over the course of the coming year. (Don’t worry, the beloved kelp swirl mark isn’t going anywhere!)

We’re rolling the changes out slowly in keeping with our sustainability commitments and to maximize the use of existing materials. This evolution embodies all the wonder and delight that connects people to the Aquarium and the living ocean. In vibrant positive ways, it honors our past and aligns with all the possibilities ahead of us.

The new year brings with it not just a fresh look for the Aquarium but big opportunities to make a difference for the future of our ocean planet. With you at our side, our impact is growing far beyond our walls. Our Sea Otter Program is playing a central role in the recovery of California’s threatened otter population. Our policy team is a leading voice in international negotiations to stop plastic pollution at the source, and our global seafood program is driving positive change in supply chains around the planet. We’re hosting more school groups in our Bechtel Education Center, creating new programs to engage emerging young leaders, and expanding the online courses we offer for at-home learners.

Working together, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish. Thank you for sharing the journey, and a love for the ocean. You give me such hope for the future, now and for the years to come.