Woods Hole Science Aquarium

The Woods Hole Science Aquarium (WHSA) is a small public aquarium in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States. It is owned by the US government and operated by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Date opened1885
Location166 Water Street, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States
Coordinates41.526°N 70.674°W / 41.526; -70.674
No. of species140[1]
Annual visitors80,000[2]
OwnerFederal government of the United States
Public transit accessCape Cod Regional Transit Authority
Websitewww.nefsc.noaa.gov/aquarium/
Harbor seal at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Ocean pout at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Sea robin at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium

History

The Woods Hole Science Aquarium claims to be the oldest aquarium in the US.[2] In 1873[3] or 1875,[2] US Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries Spencer Fullerton Baird invited the public to his laboratory in Woods Hole to see animals and learn about marine science. In 1885, the US government built the first marine research building in Woods Hole, and Baird arranged for the first floor to house a public aquarium that displayed fish, invertebrates, and birds.[2] Baird's exhibit also inspired the creation of the National Aquarium in Washington, D.C. in 1878.[3] In 1954, the original laboratory building was damaged by Hurricane Carol, and it was torn down in 1958. The aquarium reopened in its current location in 1961.[2][4]

Exhibits

The aquarium's exhibits consist of marine animals found in the waters of the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. Approximately 140 species of fish and invertebrates are displayed in indoor tanks and a touch tank. The aquarium also has an outdoor habitat that provides a permanent home for injured seals. As of 2007, the aquarium was home to two harbor seals. Unfortunately they died in July 2017.[5][6][7] The aquarium receives approximately 80,000 visitors per year.[1][2]

Sea turtle conservation

In addition to its display animals, the Woods Hole Science Aquarium runs a program to rehabilitate sea turtles that have washed up on Cape Cod beaches after being injured or stunned by cold weather in late autumn. The turtles are rehabilitated until they are healthy enough to return to the wild, but they are not displayed to the public.[8]

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References
  1. "Exhibits". Woods Hole Science Aquarium. October 18, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  2. "About Us". Woods Hole Science Aquarium. October 18, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  3. "Our Story". National Aquarium. 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  4. Hillard, James M. (1995). A Guidebook to Appreciating North America's Aquatic Treasures. Lanham, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press. pp. 88–90. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  5. "Woods Hole Science Aquarium: WOODS HOLE SEALS". www.nefsc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  6. Staff, Emily Sweeney Globe; July 14. "Seals die within days of each other at Woods Hole Aquarium - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com.
  7. "Woods Hole's Harbor Seal Bumper Dies; Aquarium Closed For Weekend". CapeNews.net. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  8. "Programs". Woods Hole Science Aquarium. October 18, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
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