Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
ing need for places like aquariums and zoos. Undoubtedly these facil-
ities will evolve and change and there will be new state-of-the-art ex-
hibits and new methods of communicating messages, but the ultimate
purpose for their existence will not change: they will still be places where
the wonderful creatures that share this planet with us can be seen and
appreciated.
DINNER WITH JACQUES COUSTEAU
The world of public aquariums is a small one, and communication
among them has generally been conducted by individuals rather than
on an institutional level. To promote the larger exchange of informa-
tion, however, in 1958 the prestigious Musée Océanographique et Aqua-
rium de Monaco, founded by Prince Albert in 1910, organized the first
International Congress of Aquariology. Although the conference was
very successful, thirty long years passed before a second one was or-
ganized. It, too, would take place in Monaco.
I was fortunate to be able to present a paper at the 1988 confer-
ence, which I attended with three other sta¤ members from Mon-
terey. Betty accompanied me, and we had plans to visit my sister in
England afterward. The meetings were excellent; it was thrilling to
share my work and hear what other biologists were doing in aquar-
iums all over the world.
A farewell banquet was held in the famous Monaco casino. When
Betty and I arrived we were escorted to a table at the front of the huge
banquet hall. Already seated were the director of the Acuario Nacional
de Cuba, a scientist and his wife from the Monaco Aquarium, and our
friends John and Sandy Prescott from the New England Aquarium—
across from whom I immediately recognized Jacques Cousteau.
I was completely blown away as, for the first time, I fully realized
the worldwide reputation that the Monterey Bay Aquarium had
achieved. Because of it, I had an opportunity to dine with the man
who in many ways was responsible for my being there that very day. I
told Cousteau that his topic
The Silent World
had inspired me to take
up scuba diving in its infancy and to follow his example by exploring
the world beneath the sea.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search