Birch Aquarium Makes Moves from Hall of Fishes to Living Seas

How long did it take your team to relocate the animals from the Hall of Fishes to begin construction? 

Maddy Tracewell (MT): It was six solid weeks of moving animals! We had a rough timeline for construction and then worked backwards from there to plan everything. But the process started much earlier. Sean and I collaborated together early on to make a master spreadsheet of all the animals we had to move. Then we planned how much space we needed and where the animals would all go. We planned everything six months in advance to understand where animal holding could be placed, along with the life support systems and seawater supply. We also did preventive medicine planning with our animal health team. 

What were some of the considerations you had to take into account with moving this many animals? 

Sean Bruce (SB):  Not all species or individuals can go together so we also had to take that into account. We created a list of compatibility beforehand to plan which animals could be together [in a habitat]. We needed to evaluate the species and individual animals’ social, behavioral, physical and environmental requirements well in advance to determine who could cohabitate and where. We included considerations for anesthesia, quick handling, slow moving and the relative sensitivity of each species as well.

MT: Then from the list we made, we counted the number of habitats and what types of habitats we needed. We knew for instance we had to set up a separate area for the cold water [Pacific Northwest] animals.

MT: Planning was hard with the construction because we also didn’t know in advance what our working space would look like each day. We planned the best we could and then day-of it would often look different so we’d have to adapt. 

Fernando Nosratpour (FN): There was a lot decided quickly because you never know what you’ll have access to or how it will go. One of the big things that helped was having the Facilities Team help! 

SB: Sometimes [the unexpected changes] worked in our favor as well, like when we had access to more work space than we planned.

What was the most challenging aspect of relocating so many individuals?

SB: Honestly the amount of time it all took was a big challenge. We were not only doing all of [the logistics of moving animals] but still doing our regular jobs as well. We still had all the other animals to feed and care for on top of relocating the Hall of Fishes animals plus our diving, veterinary and life support systems operations carried on.

FN: To me, the challenge is that it’s two parts. First you move [the animals] of course, but then you find out how they will all react and carefully watching them afterward. A lot of these animals have been in the same habitats for years and moving them is like you or I moving to a whole new neighborhood! Everything looks different and sometimes even the neighbors have changed!

SB: There are different methods for moving each kind of animal as well because they’re all different sizes and with different needs. 

MT: Every step of moving an animal from point A to point B might require heavy machinery, or it could even be passing animals from person to person!

Fern: One of the best teamwork stories was how we moved all the Sardines. We moved a few fish at a time in soft, water-filled bags so we could keep them safe. We had a chain of people from the Sardine habitat [in the Galleria] to the roof of the Giant Kelp Forest, passing person to person to get them all moved. The fish have fully integrated into the Giant Kelp Forest and are healthy and schooling! Very exciting. 

FN: Sean and Maddy were really leading this project. For some of our staff who haven’t experienced something like this before, Sean and Maddy were always positive, they always gave good direction and had a plan. It was great teamwork. 

SB: It was good to see how everyone was able to get through and be as positive as they could be.

MT: Luckily, people who work in animal husbandry are naturally pretty flexible. Years of working with animals has trained us all to be very adaptable to constantly changing environments. Working in an active construction site really put these skills to the test! 

What are some of the improvements Living Seas is bringing to the animal care side of the aquarium? 

SB: Definitely the larger habitats! The reef habitat is going from about 1,200 gallons to 8,000. The animals will have twenty feet of unobstructed swimming plus more width and depth as well! 

FN: Everything is going to be larger. The coral habitat will be much larger so we’ll be able to display a really natural setting, and the fish will love it because they’ll have so much room! 

SB: We’re also updating and modernizing all of the life support systems— the pipes and equipment and all of it is getting updated. 

What are you most excited about in Living Seas? 

Everyone: The coral reef!

FN: I keep thinking about the Coral Reef, and how we’ll be able to let everything grow so much larger. We’re going to create a much more natural habitat!

MT: I’m excited about the Scripps Pier exhibit. The pier is so iconic to Scripps that having it in the aquarium will be cool!

SB: The mangrove exhibit will be so cool because it’ll be a half-window and we’ve never had anything like that before. And everything will be much more immersive! The Giant Pacific Octopus Grotto is going to be so much bigger and better, too!

Thanks to our amazing Husbandry Team for taking the time to chat about all of the exciting things coming to Living Seas in 2025!

Many of the animals are living in holding areas behind-the-scenes, including fan favorites like the jellies, Loggerhead Sea Turtle and Giant Pacific Octopus, while their new and expanded habitats are being built. Others, like the aquarium’s large collection of corals, are on view in other parts of the aquarium such as the Coral Classroom. While in these other areas, the animals continue to receive the very highest quality of care including optimal water temperatures, high-quality food and enrichment. 

While Living Seas is under construction, there are still many other exhibitions open. Meet the world’s smallest species of penguin in Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins, including daily 10 a.m. penguin feedings. Encounter local southern California shark and ray species on Blue Beach and interact with a miniature river in Riveropolis. Be immersed in the world of science through an artistic lens in Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen.