With enough mysteries to fill an ocean, aquatic animal medicine may be the final frontier of veterinary medicine. It is a troubled frontier, however, and public aquariums are at the forefront of bringing those troubles to light.

"Public aquariums are playing an active role not only in entertainment, but in public education," said Dr. Ilze Berzins, Vice President of Biological Operations at The Florida Aquarium, "and the experience doesn't have to be static. Exhibits, programs, graphics and interactive displays can be designed to be very fun, compelling and engaging so that people will learn while having a good time. Having a good time doesn't mean you can't do good conservation."

Tens of millions of Americans visit aquariums each year, but the vast majority remain unaware of aquatic conservation issues, such as pollution, sustainable harvest and rehabilitation. As Dr. Berzins puts it, "out of sight, out of mind." Some may be familiar with a few conservation projects and think a lot is being done, when, in fact, we haven't even scratched the watery surface.

A survey was conducted in 1999 for The Ocean Project, which explored the public's connections, values, attitudes and knowledge relating to the oceans. In general, Americans valued the oceans, but were unaware of the threats to ocean health and greatly underestimated their own role in damaging the oceans.  When asked to choose the main source of ocean pollution, only 14% selected the correct answer—runoff from yards, pavement and farms. Two-thirds chose waste dumped by industry, and the remainder believed that most pollution is from trash and litter washed into oceans from beaches.

"More and more zoos and aquariums are finding themselves in the role of steward, stewards certainly, of the animals in our care, but, stewards, too, of the conservation ethic that is a part of our visitors' makeup. Our mission is conservation. Our vehicle to that end is the enjoyment and appreciation of aquatic life." Drs. Berzins was a featured presenter on aquatic animal medicine at the 140th Annual Convention of the American Veterinary Medical Association in Denver, July 19-23, 2003.

Dr. Berzins views zoos and aquariums as educators that can galvanize public interest and awareness, as well as help develop collaborative partnerships with other institutions, universities and research facilities on a local, but also global basis.  For starters, facility guests can get up-to-date reports on sea turtle rehabilitation and learn the latest on Sand Tiger Shark spinal deformity. They can get informed on progress made toward restoring a spoil island (Fantasy Island) to native Florida habitat so that it can be used for school groups and eco-tours. Visitors also begin to realize the extent of the Coral Reef damage as they watch Caribbean coral being "grown" for exchange with other facilities to minimize collection from the wild.

Aquariums can bring the activities of veterinarians and other aquatic animal health professionals into the eyes of the general public. Some highlight conservation efforts with an immediate individual animal impact, including those focused on stranding and rehabilitation networks of marine mammals, sea turtles, sea birds and the like. Others may portray large-scale efforts, such as monitoring the health of aquatic animal populations, or provide updates on federal issues of seafood safety or endangered species determinations.  "It is our goal to provide a spark of interest or insight, to our visitors that shifts something in them, that moves them towards a more informed way of viewing the aquatic world and ultimately effecting change in their behavior."

"There is a connectedness between people and nature, that is in every way as rich and powerful as other human-animal bond examples and is, perhaps, fundamentally more powerful and evocative." It is the responsibility of public aquariums, to ensure that each visitor's experience strengthens that innate bond, which, in turn, will bring the solutions to ocean conservation issues within reach.

The Aquarium Veterinary Staff had to remove the phone!

Before new fish are added to the Aquarium's exhibits, they are kept in quarantine for a period of time to make sure nothing harmful or infectious is introduced.  After quarantine, the fish are placed in a transport container, which allows the exhibit water to be mixed in, slowly acclimating the fish to the exhibit water.  When they are ready, they are carefully moved into the exhibit.  All of this is done with the greatest of care, since any changes can be traumatic.  New fish are added all the time, since many species have short life spans.

Every day, Aquarium staff and volunteers scrub, wash, and hose down the exhibits to keep them clean and pristine for the millions of Aquarium visitors.  The tanks especially produce large amounts of algae that have to be carefully removed, usually by hand.  Next time you visit, keep an eye out for these Behind The Scenes helpers!