Monterey Bay Aquarium

🌺 As AANHPI Heritage Month comes to a close, we’re reflecting with gratitude on the stories and voices that continue to shape our connection to the ocean. From fishing traditions and cultural knowledge to marine science, education, and stewardship, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities continue to inspire how we care for the ocean. While this month may be ending, our appreciation for the perspectives and stories that shape ocean spaces daily does not. We look forward to learning from and celebrating these communities throughout the year. Thanks for being part of it with us.💙 #AANHPI #YouBelongInOceanSpaces

So pinni-precious. 🥺🦭 Pupping season is winding down as summer begins, but the harbor seal spectacular is just getting started! After giving birth, harbor seals will linger at the rookery as mothers bond with their pups and teach them the ways of the water. The little ones follow in mom’s flipper-steps, learning important life skills like hunting, galumphing, and riding waves onto the beach for a well-deserved nap. It’s tough work, but somebody’s gotta do it! 🦭 Harbor seals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, a key U.S. law that protects seals, whales, otters, and other beloved aquatic species from harmful human activity. If you venture out for some seal spotting this summer, stay quiet and keep a distance of 50 yards. It’s more than just the right thing to do–getting too close to marine mammals like harbor seals can mean big fines and even jail time for a law-breaking human! So mellow out, settle in, and enjoy your day on the bay with the chill vibes of a sleepy harbor seal. 🏖️☀️ #MontereyBayAquarium #NameOneThingCuterThanASealPup #WellWait

Pass the otter pops—it’s #WorldOtterDay! 🦦 The last Wednesday of May is a yearly celebration of otters, raising awareness and inspiring people around the world to help protect these irreplaceable aquatic mammals. This year we’re showing up to the party with lots of love for our resident southern sea otters and the exceptional team that makes sure our girls are happy, healthy, and ready for their close up! Opal, Ivy, Selka,  Suri, and Willow are all on exhibit together right now, but that’s not always the case—for a great reason. Our non-releasable resident otters sometimes spend time behind the scenes as part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Program. We aim for all of our resident otters to also serve as surrogate mothers to orphaned otter pups, raising them with the skills and behaviors they need for a second chance at life in the wild. 💙 Today, almost 300 rescued southern sea otters of all ages have been released back to their ocean home after being cared for in our Sea Otter Program, helping restore their populations and revive the beautiful coastal habitats they call home. There’s wonder in ocean life and caring for it helps us all. Float over to our website to learn more about our Sea Otter Program and how you can help support sea otter recovery: https://lnkd.in/gtmPNzct

How does love for the ocean turn into a career at the Aquarium? 👀 Meet Dalton Richardson, a senior aquarist whose curiosity, kindness, and love for the ocean shine through in everything he does at the Aquarium. His journey into marine science is thoughtful, unexpected, and deeply inspiring in the best way. During AANHPI Heritage Month, we’re especially grateful for stories like his that reflect the many voices, experiences, and paths that shape our Aquarium community and ocean conservation. 🌊 Trust us, after reading his story, you’ll want to be friends with Dalton, too. Follow this link to learn more about his journey: https://mbayaq.co/4tVNGlt #MontereyBayAquarium #AANHPI #YouBelongInOceanSpaces

Today is Endangered Species Day! This is the day we celebrate conservation for at-risk species and promote actions to protect them. The Endangered Species Act is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect life in our ocean—and the ecosystems we all depend on. 🌊 When a species is at risk, it’s not just about saving one animal. It’s about protecting the entire ecosystem. From sea otters that help keep kelp forests thriving, to whales that support healthy ocean cycles, each species has a role that keeps our ocean in balance. The Endangered Species Act helps safeguard critical habitats, reduce harmful human impacts, and give species a chance to recover. And when ecosystems recover, they become more resilient—to climate change, pollution, and other threats. Healthy oceans support food systems, coastal communities, and a stable climate. Protecting endangered species isn’t just about wildlife—it’s about all of us. Because when we protect them, we protect the future of our ocean. 💙 Sign up for ocean action emails and learn how you can take action to protect endangered species: https://lnkd.in/gYdvY8fC

Celebratory shout-out to the 2026 Peter Benchley Ocean Award winners! This inspiring group of scientists, policymakers, and ocean advocates 🌊 reflects the power of collaboration and action on many fronts–from science to advocacy, in public policy, business, and media. Their work reminds us that a healthier, more resilient ocean is possible—and already underway. The Peter Benchley Ocean Awards honor individuals who are advancing solutions to protect our ocean, coastlines, and wildlife. Named in honor of Jaws author and ocean advocate Peter Benchley, the awards celebrate excellence in scaling innovative conservation efforts. Everything we love can thrive if we work together on climate! Join us in congratulating the 2026 awardees for leading the way toward a thriving future for our blue planet! Julie Packard of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Dr. Diva Amon of SpeSeas  Bureo, Inc. Marcela Graudiņš of Azul Coji Senanayake of Cee Green President José Manuel Bolieiro of the Governo dos Açores Sir David Attenborough U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman of California Learn more about people working to shape a healthy ocean: https://lnkd.in/gpwFsAiN

Ivy helps Willow grow to new heights. 🌿☀️ Before new otters Suri and Willow joined our exhibit, the pair spent several weeks settling in behind-the-scenes with the help of our mammal care team.  While Suri proved to be a bit more confident, cautious Willow was slower to warm up to her new home. But the moment she met Ivy, Willow’s confidence bloomed! 💚🌷 At 14, Ivy is currently our oldest (and blondest!) exhibit otter. Her mature, mellow presence helped Willow relax and we saw her confidence grow! Ivy was instrumental in helping her acclimate to her new home.   Willow’s already branched out after her first few weeks on exhibit. She’s spending more time with lively youngster Opal, while Suri’s totally captivated by our confident and clever Selka. Their care team has even noticed Suri mimicking her new mentor! In the wild, southern sea otters like ours live in social groups called rafts, floating through the waves with fellow female companions of many different ages and temperaments. 🦦 The ever-changing relationships between our non-releasable otters give us humans a rare and precious peek at the unique social dynamics of this beloved species.  Got plans this Mother’s Day weekend? Come see Willow and Ivy by reserving tickets to the Aquarium: https://lnkd.in/gr7R_byu