SEA RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC
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Mission Statement
To inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through conservation, education, and research.
About This Cause
October 6, 1973 Mystic Marinelife Aquarium was founded in 1973 to serve as a living laboratory and major public exhibit, highlighting some of the most intriguing species in the world. The Aquarium established itself as a progressive research entity under the leadership of its first director, Dr. Stephen Spotte, whose publications became the cornerstone of modern aquarium keeping. Initially, it was operated by a privately owned, for-profit corporation. The principal shareholder was Ohio industrialist and philanthropist Kelvin Smith. Mr. Smith was a practicing chemist with an interest in marine biology. In the 1950s, while on the Board of Trustees at the Cleveland Science Museum, Smith began working with fellow chemist and board member William Kelley. Together, Smith and Kelley developed “Instant Ocean,” a product that allowed labs and aquariums to create artificial seawater. This product is used at Mystic Aquarium and other institutions worldwide. Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, Inc. provided a venue to highlight this product. 1975 Beluga whales first arrived at Mystic Aquarium. The whales were collected in Churchill, Manitoba. 1976 Seal Island, home to Steller and California sea lions and harbor, gray and fur seals, opened. September 1977 Mr. Smith established the Sea Research Foundation, Inc. as a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Ohio, dedicated to aquatic education and research. The first assets of Sea Research Foundation, Inc. also included the building and grounds of the Aquarium of Niagara Falls, New York. April 30, 1979 Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, Inc. was dissolved, and its entire $2.6 million outstanding debt was assumed by Kelvin Smith, who previously had acquired the equity interests of the then remaining shareholders. The building, grounds and other assets were contributed to the foundation on May 1, 1979. August 2, 1989 The Roger Tory Peterson Penguin Exhibit, which houses the Aquarium's African penguins, opened. 1996 The Seal Rescue Clinic was built. The clinic serves as a temporary home for seals undergoing rehabilitation before release back into the wild. July 1, 1997 The Aquarium welcomed the addition of the Institute for Exploration, founded by explorer, oceanographer and JASON Project founder Dr. Robert Ballard. Dr. Ballard brought his desire to share with the world the wonders of the deep ocean and the emerging science of deep-water archaeology. The Mystic Marinelife Aquarium became Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration. May 1, 1998 Sea Research Foundation, Inc. (SRF), an Ohio non-profit organization, merged into a Connecticut non-stock charitable corporation. The foundation continues to operate as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Mystic Aquarium operates as one part of Sea Research Foundation. 1998-99 A large renovation and expansion included the Ocean Planet Pavilion, main exhibit floor, gift shop, Penguins Café, Aquatic Animal Study Center, Challenge of the Deep and Arctic Coast, one of the largest outdoor beluga exhibits in the nation. June 28, 1999 The Aquarium took in two pilot whales stranded at Hardings Beach in Chatham, Mass. After a successful rehabilitation, the whales were released on October 20. 2001 A California sea lion show replaced the dolphin shows in the Marine Theater. 2002 Immersion Learning, Sea Research’s national education division, was founded by Dr. Stephen Coan and Dr. Robert Ballard. June 2008 The Aquarium’s Penguin Task Force met for the first time to examine all factors possibly affecting the declining African penguin population and develop a plan to assist with education, research and conservation of the species. September 14, 2008 The Gurdon and Kathy Wattles Marine Mammal Observatory opened, allowing guests a look into the two pools of the Aquatic Animal Study Center for the first time. These pools house animals undergoing rehabilitation or in need of temporary housing. June 23, 2010 Sea Research Foundation opens the Nautilus Live Theater in the Challenge of the Deep exhibition and launches NautilusLive.org. Both allow people around the world to virtually join Dr. Robert Ballard and his team aboard his ship the E/V Nautilus and follow the expedition in real time. October 8, 2010 Sea Research Foundation assumed management of The JASON Project, an internationally recognized science program for middle-school students, and an affiliate of the National Geographic Society. March 2011 The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) reaccredited Mystic Aquarium for a four-year term. April 12, 2012 Sea Research Foundation marked the centennial of the maiden voyage and tragic loss of the RMS Titanic with the opening of Titanic - 12,450 Feet below. This exciting new exhibit was a collaboration between Dr. Robert Ballard, who found her in 1985, and former Disney Imagineer Tim Delaney, and was made possible by a $1 million donation from United Technologies Corporation. Located in the renamed Ocean Exploration Center, the exhibit promises Titanic fans of all ages the chance to experience the fanfare of her maiden voyage, the fateful night of her sinking and the moment she was found. Today Sea Research is an active member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA). In addition, the Aquarium’s professional staff is affiliated with several industry organizations.