Life Support / Knowledge Retention
​Abstracts

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WHY WE’VE AGED RAPIDLY: A REVIEW OF THE START-UP OF
MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM’S
​NEW GALLERY,
“INTO THE DEEP: EXPLORING OUR UNDISCOVERED OCEAN”

Megan Olhasso

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Full Abstract

Providing a rare look at animals that thrive in the least explored part of our planet, the new “Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean” gallery at Monterey Bay Aquarium offers a unique deep-sea experience to visitors. How did it go? A review of the enormous collaborative effort it took to get from concept to fruition including species research, development and deliverables, innovative low oxygen life support systems, deep sea collection, and guest facing conservation & ecosystem messaging. How is it going? A look back at our first full year open to the public: what is going as planned, unexpected challenges and public perception. What’s next? Our early thoughts on continuous gallery innovation, evolution, and ongoing success.

Mobile Holding Station: A New Paradigm in Fish Transport


João Correia

​
Flying Sharks

Full Abstract

​It’s largely accepted that moving live fish is no easy task, given the constant deterioration in water quality, namely pH, oxygen, and ammonia. In 2020 we received some funding, which allowed us to revolutionize this concept, by shattering time constraints in transport. This involves state-of-the-art filtration, much like the one used in a standard holding station, which is why the concept was named ‘Mobile Station’.
Technical innovations include, but are not limited to: 1) differentiated filtration modes, namely height of intake from the bottom, between sedentary elasmobranchs, ram ventilating elasmobranchs, ‘motionless’ teleosts, and schooling teleosts; 2) optimized water circulation for turnovers under one hour; 3) versatility of intake plumbing, allowing for water to be provided by numerous sources; 3) same for electrical current, allowing for the system to be powered by 110 V, 220 V, 380 V and other options; 4) differentiated lighting, allowing for a regular daily cycle and/or dimmed/red lighting for packing and unpacking; 5) automatic probes measuring water parameters in real-time, and relaying them to the team via GSM; 6) automatic chemical parameters correction; 7) router for generating own GSM network; 8) double - often triple - redundancy on all electric systems.
These details above are but a few of the multiple aspects that will be shared and discussed.​

THE STORY OF CREATING A PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Theresa Nietfeld

​
ABQ BioPark

Full Abstract

Ongoing professional development and career path opportunities are critical to the retention of professional staff, thus institutional knowledge. Attempting to create an industry wide comprehensive program is challenging due to the uniqueness of each facility. Generating a curriculum that addresses these needs seems daunting, but in reality, is the easy part. Gaining institutional support, financial support, and having the staff to facilitate the program is where most facilities run into roadblocks.
The ABQ BioPark has recently managed to work through the many challenges that can stop the creation of a professional development program. The ABQ BioPark Animal Care Excellence Training and Certification Program was designed to provide a clear path for Aquarists and Zookeepers to further develop their knowledge and skills in all areas of animal care and wellness, guest engagement, and leadership.
Employees follow a curriculum of online and in-person trainings about a range of topics including animal wellbeing, nutrition, animal training and enrichment, species specific animal husbandry techniques, regulations and standards, communication, leadership, and conservation. A combination of skills demonstration, training certification, written exams, and time spent in a position is used to standardize advancement requirements. The program allows for four distinct animal care staff levels, with each level receiving increased responsibilities and higher pay.
This presentation is meant to describe our experience in creating a professional development program for our animal care staff, including the successes and the challenges faced.

​My Little Paly: Friendship is Toxic

Adam Atlas

Aquarium of the Pacific

Full Abstract

​The genus Palythoa, Protopalythoa, and certain species of Zoanthus possess an extremely potent neurotoxin called palytoxin (PTX). PTX functions by preventing the pumping of sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane, resulting in cell death. There is no direct cure that currently exists for PTX poisoning (palytoxicosis).
In aquariums, palytoxicosis most commonly occurs when aquarists attempt to improperly dispose of Palythoas. There are often multiple reasons for the removal of Palythoa from a marine system, such as keep the highly competitive Palythoa colonies under control and freeing up space for more desirable coral colonies. However, removing and disposing of Palythoas must be done with extreme care, to prevent PTX poisoning of both an individual and the system. At the Aquarium of the Pacific, a standard operating procedure that allows the partial or full removal of Palythoa colonies in an exhibit from the surface or on scuba has been developed. The methodology has proven highly effective and safe for the aquarist staff and the other exhibit animals.​

Trials in the production of Catostylus tagi (Haeckel, 1869)

Hugo Batista

Oceanário de Lisboa

Full Abstract

Over the years the understanding about jellyfish production has increased. Much of this knowledge has been enhanced due to research and information sharing in a collaborative work between public aquariums. However, there are still many species of jellyfish whose life cycle and production process are yet unknown. One of these species is Catostylus tagi, the only member of the family Catostylidae that is found in Europe.
Oceanário de Lisboa, in partnership with research institutions, carried out a scientific work on the reproduction of this species with specimens captured in the Tagus estuary (Portugal). It was observed that Catostylus tagi has the typical Rhizostomida metagenetic life cycle. Male and female gonads were identified and extracted. Gametes from both gonads were mixed and planulae were collected after 48h. Trials were conducted to evaluate the influence of different temperatures and salinity on planulae settlement survival and metamorphosis and, the influence of temperature and diet on asexual reproduction.
It was observed asexual reproduction of the scyphistoma only by podocysts. Two temperatures (15oC and 20oC) and a feeding regime (Brachionus plicatilis, Artemia nauplii an Unfed) were tested to evaluate the influence on asexual reproduction. No significant differences were found.
Strobilation occurred with better results with polyps kept at 20oC fed with Brachionus plicatilis and Artemia nauplii. Transition from ephyra to fully developed juveniles occurred in 5 months.
More work must be conducted to improve the production of this species, but these first trials show that it ́s possible to obtain animals by asexual reproduction in a controlled environment.