Aquarium in the News

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is constantly in the news, lending its experts to speak about issues in ocean science and promoting its educational programs.

Shark School in Session at Birch Aquarium

North County Times, July 12, 2008

Whether it's because of Hollywood-produced frights in movies such as "Jaws" or rare real-life tragedies such as the deadly attack off Solana Beach's coast in April, sharks don't seem to attract the sort of sympathies that other animals do. The message of Shark Week, kicking off Saturday at Birch Aquarium at Scripps, however, is that sharks are vulnerable and need our protection.
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Photographer to Make Special Dive at Birch Aquarium

La Jolla Light , July 8, 2008

The 70,000-gallon kelp forest habitat at Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, will become the setting for a
photo shoot when photographer Wayne Martin Belger will dive to capture life under the sea with an underwater pinhole camera.
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Beach Safety: Jellyfish, Stingrays, & Rip Currents

KFMB News 8, June 25, 2008

The recent heat wave means San Diego beaches are packed. But before you diveinto the surf, take a closer look. Exotic jellyfish are showing up on our shores more frequently, and they're not the only things you should look out for. (Features interview with Birch Aquarium at Scripps Executive Director Nigella Hillgarth.)
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10 Questions for Nigella Hillgarth, Birch Aquarium at Scripps

La Jolla Light, June 19, 2008

Dr. Nigella Hillgarth is a distinguished zoologist who came to Birch Aquarium in 2002 from her position as executive director of Tracy Aviary,
the nation's largest bird park, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Since joining the
aquarium, Hillgarth spearheaded the creation of the dynamic Scripps
Explorers Gallery, which transformed a decade-old exhibition in the Hall of
Oceanography.
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Coral Reefs Threatened by Rising Ocean Temperatures
KFMB News 8, June 18, 2008
Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the earth's surface, but they're home to millions of plants and animals. Now scientists are warning that hal of these underwater wonderlands could be wiped out in the next two decades (Features interview with Scripps researcher James Leichter at Birch Aquarium at Scripps.)
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World Ocean Day
Fox 6 News, June 8, 2008
Renee is visiting Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla to celebrate World Ocean Day.
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Great Whites: Ferocious Hunter or Misunderstood?
KFMB News 8, April 30, 2008
Sharks are on the minds of many beachgoers after this week's deadly attackin Mexico and the great white attack in Solana Beach. Experts havedetermined that the shark that killed 66-year-old David Martin last Friday was a great white. However, many experts believe fears surrounding them are exaggerated. (Features interviews with Birch Aquarium at Scripps Curator of Live Exhibits Bob Burhans).
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Grunions Mate On Local Beaches On Spring Nights
KFMB News 8, April 23, 2008
On certain nights following high tides, hundreds of small, silvery fish ride the waves onto our local beaches for a remarkable mating ritual. Spring is the season to catch the grunion run.
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Grunion Make Second Appearance of the Season

SignOnSanDiego.com, April 23, 2008

Dozens of people stayed up late in hopes of seeing the grunion run during the Birch Aquarium's public educational program at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
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Storming the beach: Armed with flashlights and sandals, enthusiasts seek elusive grunion

North County Times, April 9, 2008

Every other Monday until June 4, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography is offering lectures about grunions and leading beach excursions to watch, with any luck, the fish lay and fertilize eggs in the sand.
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