WINTER 2016
LETTER FROM OUR CEO
The Texas State Aquarium is
Proud Partners with:
Dear Friends, As we close out 2016, I’m excited to report that construction on the new Caribbean Journey building is now at 80% completion. In just a few months, we will begin adding the plants and animals that will call this new facility home, and then we will open the doors to all of you for a special members preview event in May of next year. It’s been a long journey; the concept of a Caribbean experience dates back to our original master plan that was developed in the late 1980s, prior to the Aquarium’s opening in 1990. Taking you on a journey from the shores of South Texas into the Gulf of Mexico and south to the Yucatan Peninsula and finally, into the Caribbean Sea, this compelling storyline is as relevant today as it was almost 30 years ago. While construction nears completion, the acquisition of the botanical and zoological collection is moving forward. Many of the reptiles, birds and mammals are coming from our partner aquariums and zoos across Texas and the U.S. where they were born. Some of the fish will also come from aquariums and zoos, and most of the fish will come from reefs in the Bahamas, the Florida Keys, and along our coastline. Many of the tropical fish will also come from Rising Tide Conservation, a program that breeds and raises fish that have been raised at aquariums and aquaculture facilities. Several years ago, Sea World launched Rising Tide Conservation with the goal of protecting coral reefs through sustainable aquaculture. Through a vast collaboration with aquariums, universities, zoos, aquaculture labs, and even advanced home aquarists, the program has successfully bred over 300 species of marine fish, and the number of new species being cultured is rapidly increasing. Many of these fish will be showcased in our new Caribbean Journey. You can learn more about this exciting program at risingtideconservation.org. Finally, a note of thanks to all of you. Your membership support this year was incredible, thank you for helping us grow and prosper. I look forward to seeing all of you at the member preview party for the Caribbean Journey next spring. Stay tuned, it’s going to be an incredibly exciting year!
Corpus Christi General Implant & Dentistry Corpus Christi Hooks First Community Bank Frost Bank
Tom Schmid President and CEO
Gentry Companies NuStar Energy, L.P. Occidental Chemical Corporation Republic Services/Allied Waste Management The Bend Magazine ValueBank Texas
TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM • WINTER 2016
AQUARIUM NEWS
OUR HOURS ARE CHANGING Operating Hours The Aquarium will be open daily from Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Also note that the Aquarium will be CLOSED on Christmas Day, December 25th.
Spring Break Hours
Aquarium Spring Break hours will be 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. March 11-18. Starting March 19, hours will go to 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Aquarium’s Splash Park will also re-open during certain hours for Spring Break.
Gift Shop
Pardon our dust! The Gift Shop is under renovation from now until Spring 2017. In the meantime, Aquarium souvenirs will be available for purchase between the Tentacles exhibit and Café Aqua.
ADOPT ONE OF OUR RAYS TODAY!
When you symbolically adopt one of our rays, you support the Aquarium’s mission to engage people with animals, inspire appreciation for our seas, and support wildlife conservation. Plus, you will receive special benefits, such as: • Personalized adoption certificate • Glossy photo • Fun Facts sheet about your adopted animal • The satisfaction of knowing you are helping to support the care of animals at the Texas State Aquarium. • Find out how to adopt now.
WINTER 2016 • TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM
AQUARIUM NEWS
CARIBBEAN WALKTHROUGH W hen the Caribbean Journey wing expansion opens in May 2017, it will take guests on an unforgettable adventure above and below the waters of the Yucatan Peninsula. Guests will begin their expedition in the jungle, gradually venturing through wetlands, Mayan Ruins,
TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM • WINTER 2016
coastal lagoons, coral reefs, and the open sea. Upon entering the Caribbean Journey, guests will ascend to find a cenote, emulating the Yucatan’s captivating waterfalls and limestone sinkholes. They’ll pass through to emerge into a giant naturally-lit
lowland forest, with nothing but a towering glass atrium between them and the sky. Attentive guests will spot birds flying between trees, iguanas crawling along branches, and quail scurrying about. Like intrepid explorers, they’ll navigate this pathway, encountering wildlife at every turn.
Among the first animals they’ll see will be vibrant flamingos, posing in a swamp. Discovering the ruins of a Mayan temple, they’ll peek in to see reptiles waiting in the dark. Continuing on, they’ll spot crocodiles lurking in the Karst Pool, and a mangrove forest housing fish and wading birds. From there, guests will begin to be transported from the jungle to the ocean. At the surface of the H-E-B Caribbean Shark Overlook, all seems calm. But looking down, guests will see the ocean’s most infamous predators on the hunt. Guests will also be able to peer into colorful habitats at the Coral Reef and Blue Hole Overlooks. Along their way, they’ll pass touch pools filled with sharks and stingrays. Guests will soon arrive at the mysterious entrance of the Mayan Ruins and can venture inside to see vampire bats and Jamaican fruit bats. Now it’s time to dive below the waves. Guests will descend into the depths and come face-to-face with countless unique creatures, including lobsters, eels, and tropical fish. Guests will get the experience of being underwater in the open ocean – all without having to get wet! Walking through the clear blue waters, guests will be in awe at the sudden sight of a replica ancient shipwreck. An 118-foot tunnel will guide guests past the remnants of this ship, where prowling among the wreckage, they’ll
see the sharks they previously spied from above. But now, they’ll find they are in fact surrounded! Nothing to worry about, though; guests will safely exit the tunnel and will have the option to enter a 4-D theater. This state-of-the-art auditorium will feature films that give viewers a multi-sensory experience. They’ll not only see and hear the ocean, but also feel, touch, and even smell it. Finally, guests can ascend to the top floor, where they’ll be treated to a memorable view of the Caribbean Jungle and the spectacular Corpus Christi Bayfront. Looking down, they’ll see sharks and tropical fish swimming right below their feet. Guests have now traveled through the entire Caribbean Journey wing expansion, but that doesn’t mean their adventure is over. They’ll pass through the Gift Shop, and can then explore the Gulf of Mexico wing and the Dolphin Bay facilities. At day’s end, visitors will leave not only entertained, but with a greater appreciation of ocean life and the need to preserve it. The Caribbean Journey wing expansion will open in May 2017. For more information, visit the official Caribbean Journey website.
Among the first animals guests will see will be vibrant flamingos, posing in a swamp. Discovering the ruins of a Mayan temple, they’ll peek in to see reptiles waiting in the dark.
WINTER 2016 • TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM
YOUR AQUARIUM
1 year Membership
Share your Aquarium this Holiday Season! This holiday, you can give your favorite animal lover the gift of twelve full months of enjoying the Aquarium! Our annual membership includes free admission, free parking, special discounts on educational programs, and much more, including access to the Aquarium’s upcoming Caribbean Journey wing expansion. Your gift also gives back to the Aquarium, since membership funds support our mission of engaging people with animals, inspiring appreciation for our seas, and supporting wildlife conservation.
For a truly unique and meaningful gift that helps support the Texas State Aquarium, you can also adopt one of our Moon Jellies or Cownose Rays. Adoptions include a 5x7 glossy print of your animal, a fact sheet, and an adoption certificate. To purchase a gift membership, click here.
Adopt One of Our Moon Jellies Today! When you symbolically adopt one of our jellyfish, you support the Aquarium’s mission to engage people with animals, inspire appreciation for our seas, and support wildlife conservation. Plus, you will receive special benefits, such as: • Personalized adoption certificate • Glossy photo • Fun Facts sheet about your adopted animal • The satisfaction of knowing you are helping to support the care of animals at the Texas State Aquarium • Find out how to adopt now.
TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM • WINTER 2016
CURRENT EVENTS
Scuba Santa Once again, Scuba Santa will be bringing fish treats and smiles to the Texas State Aquarium! On Saturday, December 10, the Texas State Aquarium will introduce Scuba Santa to guests during the “Diver in the Water” presentation at 10 a.m. After Santa hands out goodies to the fish and other residents of the Flower Gardens exhibit, he will be available to take photos with guests who want to appear as if they are underwater!
Second Changes Wildlife Rehabilitation Releases Harris Hawk Back into the Wild On September 21, the Texas State Aquarium’s Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital reintroduced a rehabilitated Harris Hawk back into its natural habitat at Lake Corpus Christi State Park in Mathis, Texas. The Harris Hawk was found injured in the city of George West after being chased into a bush by mockingbirds and was brought to the Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital for treatment on July 5. Upon examination, the hawk was found to have a fracture in one of its wings, with an air gun pellet still lodged in the bird’s body. The hawk was also dehydrated.
Surgery was performed, removing the pellet and stabilizing the broken wing. Because of the severity of the injuries, the hawk took several weeks to recover. Once rescuers were confident the hawk had regained full flight and the ability to hunt, it was released back into its native habitat.
DEC. 10 - DEC. 24
Texas State Aquarium and HOLT CAT Announce Major Contribution for Campaign Caribbean
The Aquarium is excited to announce another major contribution for Campaign Caribbean, the capital campaign dedicated to funding the largest expansion in the Aquarium’s 26-year history. On September 20th, HOLT CAT and the Holt family announced a generous in-kind gift of $400,000 towards a Caterpillar® G3516 1,000 kW low emission natural gas generator. The generator will be used to provide backup power to the Caribbean Journey building.
“The Texas State Aquarium is truly a state treasure. The Holt family and HOLT CAT are grateful that we can support the growing education and wildlife conservation programs that the aquarium offers,” said Corinna Holt Richter, HOLT CAT Senior Vice President. “We are so grateful to the Holt family and HOLT CAT for their long-term support of the Texas State Aquarium and continued commitment to its mission to engage people with animals, inspire appreciation for our seas, and support wildlife conservation,” said Texas State Aquarium President & CEO Tom Schmid. “They’ve been with us since before we opened our doors to the public in 1990.”
This is the third generator donated by HOLT CAT to the Texas State Aquarium. The first generator was donated in 1989 for the Aquarium’s Gulf of Mexico Building, and the second in 2003 for Dolphin Bay. Both are still in use today, providing reliable backup power to those buildings. WINTER 2016 • TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM
WCCR UPDATE
THE SOUNDS OF CONSERVATION:
MAPPING SPOTTED SEATROUT SPAWNING HABITAT
W
hether you enjoy fishing or
and spawning location. Dr. Erisman’s team
hydrophones at 10-15 more sites to
coast, you have to consider the
by identifying their enlarged abdomens
spawning season. This information will
just appreciate a healthy Gulf
importance of conserving and managing the spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus).
This ecologically and economically valuable fish is commonly found in bays and along the coast, and is one of the most prized
saltwater recreational gamefish in Texas. While scientific research has helped
determine an approximate time of year in
which seatrout aggregate and spawn, little is known about their specific spawning locations and habitat types. But now,
thanks to the research of Dr. Brad Erisman, Assistant Professor at the University of
Texas Marine Science Institute and Wildlife
Care, Conservation, and Research (WCCR) recipient, there is an opportunity to fill the
knowledge gap using innovative technology and citizen scientists.
Dr. Erisman and his team’s research
involves using hydrophones to locate
aggregations of male seatrout looking for a mate and listen to their courtship sounds. These sounds are specific to the season TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM • WINTER 2016
can also locate spawning female seatrout
and other features of their ovaries. Fishing guides and anglers become citizen
scientists and contribute to this research
by taking and sending a picture of a fish’s
record activity continuously over the entire help provide a more complete picture of the conditions needed for spotted seatrout to successfully spawn.
ovaries, along with information on where
Dr. Erisman says his research will bring to
the pictures taken by anglers, along with
conservation issue. “If a tree falls in the
strategically fixed hydrophone stations,
happen? In the same way, if you are doing
map of the spotted seatrout spawning
how will it ever truly impact a community
aggregations of spotted seatrout in specific
fisheries in Texas,” Dr. Erisman said. “What
Aransas Bay. While researchers found
investing a lot of time and energy because
the deeper edges of seagrass beds, some
fisheries, our ecosystem, and the culture
found occur in the deep areas of shipping
Port Aransas communities.”
and when the fish was collected. By using
light an unseen and therefore overlooked
data from mobile hydrophone surveys and
woods and no one hears it, did it really
Erisman has begun to construct a detailed
great science and no one knows about it,
habitat. Thus far, results show several large
or in this case one of the most important
areas within Corpus Christi, Redfish, and
we are doing with this WCCR project is
seatrout spawning aggregations alongside
of how valuable our results are for our local
of the largest and loudest aggregations
and livelihood of the Corpus Christi and
channels, such as the Lydia Ann and Aransas Channels.
In the next year, Dr. Erisman and his team will continue their research by installing
SECOND CHANCES
A Breaking Year for Second Chances In 2016, the Aquarium’s Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital released over 100 rehabilitated animals, a singleyear record for the Aquarium’s growing program. The Second Chances Rehab Program is a branch of animal care within the Texas State Aquarium that specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick, injured, or orphaned shorebirds, raptors,
over
100
rehabilitated
animals in 2016
“To know that the community is learning and hearing about us, and really trusting us to help out with the ecosystem and all of these animals around the region feels really good,” said Manager of Wildlife Rehabilitation Laura Martinelli. “Wildlife Rehabilitation, especially Second Chances, is such a community endeavor. Without the support of everyone, we really couldn’t do what we do every day.”
sea turtles, and marine mammals. The
If that you find sick, injured, or orphaned
program is a burgeoning community
wildlife, please contact the Second
service that continues to expand with
Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital
state-of-the-art surgical equipment and
directly at 361-881-1210.
highly-trained staff.
WINTER 2016 • TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM
CALENDAR
DECEMBER
JANUARY
12/10 - 12/24 SCUBA SANTA
1/17 SEAFOOD WARS
texasstateaquarium.org Hours of Operation Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Seafood Wars Scuba Santa
Scuba Santa will visit our daily “Diver in the Water” presentation at 10:00 a.m. in the Flower Gardens exhibit. After Santa hands out goodies to the fish and other Flower Gardens residents, he will be available to take photos with guests who want to appear as if they are underwater with Scuba Santa!
12/14 HOMESCHOOL
Join us for the next installment of our popular Seafood Wars series, where local chefs compete to see who can come up with the best fish dish. For more information, click here!
FEBRUARY 2/01 SEACAMP REGISTRATION
Contact Us: Accounting (361) 881-1286 Admissions (361) 881-1230 Development (361) 881-1340 Education & SeaCamp (361) 881-1204 Executive Offices (361) 881-1200 Event Rentals (361) 881-1244 General Information (361) 881-1200 Gift Shop (361) 881-1232 Group Reservations (361) 881-1307 Guide Office (361) 881-1250 Injured Animal (361) 881-1210 Membership (361) 881-1341 Shoreline Grill (361) 881-1239 Volunteers (361) 881-1381 Our Mission To engage people with animals, inspire appreciation for our seas, and support wildlife conservation.
Homeschool
Students will play the role of marine biologists as they virtually track a green sea turtle on its adventures across the Gulf of Mexico. During their sea turtle study, students will interpret their collected data to map where their subject traveled, hypothesis why it might have traveled there, and identify the dangers it faced swimming in the fast blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. For more information, click here!
SeaCamp Registration Open for Members
SeaCamp is a memorable and educational way for your child to spend the summer! Members are invited to register early at the Aquarium beginning on February 1st.
2/14 VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER
12/25 aquarium closed Aquarium Closed
The Aquarium will be closed on Christmas Day, December 25th.
JANUARY 1/16 DOLLAR DAY
Dollar Day
On Dollar Day, presented by NavyArmy Community Credit Union, guests will be given admission to the Aquarium for only $1.
TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM • WINTER 2016
Valentine’s Day Dinner
Bring your honey and have the most romantic date night in town! Join us for a romantic evening under the sea with delicious food and a one-of-a-kind setting that only the Texas State Aquarium can provide.
3/13 - 3/15 spring break camp
Spring Break Camp
The Aquarium will be offering one-day Spring Break Mini-Camps March 13-15.
Our Vision To be a global leader in fostering support for the conservation of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
The Texas State Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA is America’s leading accrediting organization for zoos and aquariums, and accredits only those institutions that have achieved rigorous, professional standards for animal care and management, veterinary care, wildlife conservation and research, education, safety, staffing, and more. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is building North America’s largest wildlife conservation movement and is your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, visit www.aza.org. The Texas State Aquarium was designated as a Coastal America Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in 1998. Coastal America combines the resources of federal agencies with marine educational centers. The mutual partnership extends to involving communities in protection, preservation, and restoration projects throughout the Nation.