by Lizzie Long
The jumping dolphins, spooky sharks, quiet sting rays, and furry otters are some of the many wonderful sites to see at this aquarium. Clearwater Marine Aquarium isn’t only a showroom; it is also a rehabilitation and animal hospital. Their goal with their sea creatures is the three R’s. Not reduce, reuse, and recycle but Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Release.
-The old Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Marine Aquarium was built in 1972 and was converted from an abandoned water sewage plant. It was founded and recreated by a group of volunteers and their leader, Dennis Kellenberg, who was a marine biologist. The original aquarium is located by Clearwater Beach in Island Estates. Hoping for a larger exhibit, the Clearwater Marine Science Center was donated money from the city of Clearwater to create a marine biology learning center. As the company grew and they rescued their first animal (which was the dolphin Sunset Sam) they changed their name to Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
-CMA’s future plans
Clearwater Marine Aquarium (picture on the left) is the original aquarium and is going to be re-named to Clearwater Marine Hospital. The picture on the right is then going to be called Clearwater Marine Aquarium and is going to be a second showroom location in downtown Clearwater taking the place of city hall. To fulfill these projects is going to cost a lot of money and preparation time.
-Benefits of the future plans
· Strengthens the city and business
· Inspires family activity
· Excites, educates, and informs visitors
· Protects the environment
-Things to do at the aquarium
The aquarium offers many different programs and activities. They have boat tours, animal interactions, behind the scene tours, kayak adventures, summer camp, etc.
-If you plan on visiting you should know…
· They are open from 9am to 6pm every day
· Kid tickets cost $9.95, adult tickets cost $14.95, senior tickets cost $10.95
· When watching dolphin shows you might get splashed
-Dolphin Tale
Dolphin tale is a 2011 family movie based on Winter the dolphin’s true story. Winter lost her tail after becoming entangled with a crab trap rope. She was found by a fisherman and he and a little boy called Clearwater Marine Aquarium and they came out and brought her back to the hospital/aquarium. Winter’s tail had to be amputated and they gave her a prosthetic one. This movie shows how a little boy and a dolphin bond as he is helping her.
*information resources:
· http://blog.seewinter.com/category/tips/page/2
· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clearwater_Marine_Aquarium
· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin_Tale
Pinellas County History Project 