A leopard shark circles in the half-empty Kelp Forest exhibit.
In August, aquarists begin planting the kelp forest in preparation for opening day less than two months away.
Moving In
June 1984
The first plant and animal residents move into their new homes. In June, the first sevengill sharks are collected and placed in the
Monterey Bay Habitats exhibit. In August, the first giant kelp plants are transplanted from the bay into the Kelp Forest exhibit. Provided with the same supportive factors they have in the bay—a rocky substrate, cold, nutrient-rich water and sunlight—the kelp begins to grow three to seven inches a day.
Forest of the Sea
Open to the sky to provide the kelp with necessary sunlight, the
Kelp Forest exhibit is oriented in the building to keep shade on the surface to a minimum. Pumps push more than 2,000 gallons of sea water a minute through jets placed to generate natural currents in the exhibit. And the kelp here sways in a surge—vital to the plants—created by a special wave machine.
Watch our live kelp cam.
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