Oceanography Field Trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Aquarium field trip is sort of like a scavenger hunt. Look at the exhibits and the
explanations on the walls next to them for the answers. The section headings give a clue
as to where the answers to the questions will be found.
Work with other students if you wish; share and discuss your answers and observations.
Focus a lot of your attention on marine habitats and how marine life adapts to the various
habitats. On our ocean cruise we will be doing some seafloor mapping that will lead to a
lab that shows the importance of habitat classification in developing Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs). In the aquarium today you will see many of the marine organisms that
we will deal with in that upcoming lab, including kelp, flounder, rockfish, and squid.
Please go to the lower level to start the lab at the Kelp Forest exhibit.
1. The Kelp Forest – First Floor
What makes the behavior of the rockfish distinct from other types of fish, like the
leopard shark, for example?
Note the back wall of the kelp tank. How do the rock fish “use” the wall?
Note that in this tank there is an absence of predators. Therefore, the fish might not
always behave in the exact same way as they might in the wild ocean with many
predators. If we could observe the wild ocean, how do you think the behavior of the
rock fish would differ from what we see here in this tank?
2. The Rock Fish Tank and Associated Video
What are the reasons the size and number of rock fishes have declined?
It will be a long time before this fishery recovers. Why?
How long do some rock fishes live?
Under what name or names are rock fishes sold in the supermarket and/or
restaurants?
3. The Deep Reef
Note the “Deep Reef” and the “Shale Reef” is actually the same, connected, tank. It
just depends where you look at them.
Look for the halibut, flounder, and bat rays. What behavior characterizes these fish
when they’re resting or otherwise not moving around?
How does their body shape and their behavior aid their survival?
4. The Shale Reef
In this part of the tank, the rock is constructed to look like shale.
What characteristics of sedimentary rock can you see here?
How do some of the fish in this tank “use” the sedimentary rock?
5. The Sandy Seafloor
Note the shape and characteristics of the sole, flounder, halibut, and skate. What is the
over-riding characteristic of the fish shown in the Sandy seafloor exhibit?
It’s a mean ocean out there, full of predators. What is these fishes main tactic for
survival?
6. The Coastal Wetland to Sandy Shore Nature Center
What are some of the animals that live in estuaries or coastal wetlands like Elkhorn
Slough?
What are the processes or functions that the wetland/estuary serves to connect the
land to the deeper ocean?
7. The Real Cost Café
Spend a while at the Real Cost Café (but don’t even try to steal any silverware ).
Based on the vignettes shown here, what are at least two good choices for seafood
dining?
Why are these two choices better than some other similar choices?
Based on the vignettes shown here, what are least two poor choices for seafood
dining?
Why are the problems with these two choices? Why are they worse than some other
similar choices?
From the Real Cost Café, please find your way upstairs to the second floor.
8. 2nd Floor Kelp Display
Look at the kelp in the tank. Is it moving or still?
What key aspects does Giant Kelp add to the ecosystem where it grows?
How do Rock Fish “use” the kelp?
Why can’t kelp grow on the sandy seafloor?
What does a “holdfast” look like and what does it do?
Go up the stairs to the 3rd floor and go out the door to the roof.
9. 3rd Floor/Roof Display
Why is moving water important to the health of the kelp?
How does the Monterey Bay Aquarium keep the water moving continuously inside
the kelp tank?
What else must the Aquarium do to maintain the kelp exhibit?
Go find some of the tropical fish displays.
How does the water in the tropical fish displays appear different than the water in the
Giant Kelp displays? Why is it different?
15. Ocean Travelers and Vanishing Wildlife
In the Ocean Travelers section several problems facing the Ocean today are
mentioned. Which are you most concerned about?
What are some of the solutions to these types of problems?
Go Downstairs to the Vanishing Wildlife Section
What are the problems facing Tuna, Turtles, and Sharks today?
What are some of the possible solutions?
Pink Flamingos
& Changing Seas
16. Pink Flamingos and Changing Seas
Near the Vanishing Wildlife exhibit is the Pink Flamingos and Changing Seas
exhibit. Go through this exhibit and look at the displays.
What kind of organisms will be most affected by acidification of the oceans?
How do cows influence climate change?
What kinds of organisms are affected the most by the warming temperature of the
oceans?
What kinds of organisms are affected the most by changing currents in the oceans?
Why are pink flamingos the iconic animal of this exhibit in the aquarium?
In class we discussed the Pew Report’s summary of issues threatening the oceans and
its inhabitants. Each of these threats is listed below. Next to each threat, please list an
organism that you saw at the aquarium that is being affected by that specific threat.
Please explain the manner in which your specific aquarium organism is being
threatened. Or, explain how this threat relates to something you saw at the Aquarium.
You can do this part at home, and/or use the internet to help you if you want.
Threat
Pollution
Coastal
Development
Climate
Change
Aquaculture
Overfishing
Bycatch
Habitat
Destruction
Aquarium Manner it is being threatened
Organism Or how the threat relates to something you saw here