On June 15 the Aquarium of the Pacific celebrated its fifteenth anniversary and ocean exploration during the annual Ocean Conservation Awards Gala. More than 360 people attended and more than $280,000 was raised to benefit the Aquarium’s education, conservation, and animal care programs.
Guests had the opportunity to view the Aquarium’s newly opened Wonders of the Deep gallery and hear a symphonic work called Urban Ocean by Grammy Award-winning composer Steven Mackey commissioned on behalf of the Aquarium by Dennis and Suzanne Poulson. Award honorees included Sylvia Earle, Walter Munk, and Don Walsh, all of whom have made significant advancements and discoveries in the realm of ocean exploration.