Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Education:For the summer of 2023, the department educated 1,473 summer campers on marine conservation and stewardship in the R.O. Jacobson Education Center. A total of 62 camps were hosted including approximately 606 snorkelling trips, 65 kayaking trips, and 41 field trips.For 2023, nearly 15,000 students and guests participated in educational programming onsite including new programming; such as Rescue Responders, Coral Connections, and Middle School Career Explorations. In addition, the Aquarium continued to provide programming to long-standing program partners specializing in travel education.For the 10th year in a row, the "Trash to Toys" contest was conducted to celebrate Earth Day. Local Pinellas and Hillsborough County schools are invited to use trash found in their classroom to create an environmental enrichment device or toy for our resident dolphins. The winning class receives an offsite program in their classroom by a Clearwater Marine Aquarium educator.The education continued outside our four walls and into the community. The Education Department attended several events and festivals during 2023. Including, the Great American Teach-In where we visited 40 classrooms and engaged with over 1,800 students. Additionally, approximately 1,500 students were educated via off-site programming. The Education Department hosted 3 Snorkelling Adventures (165 passengers total including one public Mother's Day Snorkel), 2 Floating Classroom charters, 26 Dolphin and Wildlife Tour charters, 19 Sea Life Safari charters (estimated 1600 passengers total on chartered tours) and 36,800 passengers onboard public tours during regular hours and special evening cruises.

Inspiration:Through sharing Winter's transformative story in the hit movies Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2, this inspirational story has continued to invoke passion in millions of people worldwide. Apart from capturing hearts across the globe, the impact Winter has had runs especially close to the community facing medical challenges and wounded military personnel. CMA donates general admission tickets to these families along with a variety of programs with specialized dolphin interactions and personal tours of CMA. The CMA Inspiration program hosts children and families battling a wide variety of difficult illnesses, limb differences and much more. These free programs are designed to inspire and bring life change to the participants, of which CMA has hosted many thousands over the years. Through our ever-expanding social media audience and partnerships with wish-granting organizations across the country, hospitals and military partners, Clearwater Marine Aquarium continues to provide lasting inspirational experiences to thousands of children afflicted by injury or sickness. We're proud to provide a space for families battling hard times to enjoy the inspiration of Winter's story and our other rescued animals in a calm, safe, and welcoming environment. We also partner with local children's hospitals by visiting children during the holidays as well as offering virtual field trips to bring CMA's inspirational mission to patients when they are not able to get out. This past year, we partnered with Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital to provide a free therapist-led Parent Workshop Series to help parents learn ways to help their young children in meeting their developmental milestones. Additionally, we work to Inspire the next generation of conservationists through our ongoing work and leadership in the field.

Animal Care:Marine MammalsIn the fiscal year, our Animal Care Program achieved significant milestones and overcame challenges to enhance the welfare and social dynamics of our aquatic residents. Notably, the introduction of Nicholas to Apollo was meticulously managed, utilizing innovative tools like the "howdy gate" to facilitate visual interaction between the male dolphins, fostering cooperative behaviors. Izzy's seamless acclimatization to the Stone Complex, coupled with Apollo and Nicholas' successful introduction, underscored our commitment to fostering positive relationships among our marine inhabitants. Despite challenges such as Apollo's health concerns, our dedicated teams' ensured prompt care and monitoring, exemplifying our focus on animal welfare. Furthermore, the audit conducted by industry professionals reaffirmed our dedication to excellence in animal care standards. The safe transfer and acclimation of Rosie, the rough-toothed dolphin, showcased our ongoing efforts to expand our animal ambassador program. Noteworthy advancements in medical procedures, like Rudy's voluntary gastroscope, demonstrated our commitment to innovative healthcare practices. Additionally, Matthew's successful molt and engaging interactions with guests exemplify our dedication to education and conservation messaging. Looking ahead, the establishment of an Animal Welfare Committee underscores our continuous improvement ethos, ensuring the highest standards of care and welfare for all residents. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide exemplary care, enrichment, and conservation education to our marine community and guests alike.RescueThroughout the year, CMA's Rescue team demonstrated unwavering dedication to marine animal welfare through various initiatives and interventions. Notably, in January, collaborative efforts with National Marine Fisheries Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Marine Mammal Pathobiology Lab led to the successful relocation of a juvenile bottlenose dolphin from Allen's Creek to open waters. In February, CMA welcomed a deaf female rough-toothed dolphin for rehabilitation, later transitioning her to a permanent resident status. The team's international engagement extended to Belize, where members participated in manatee health assessments, fostering valuable collaborations and skills development. Additionally, the team maintained a rigorous fieldwork schedule, responding to numerous cetacean and manatee incidents while advancing facility upgrades and grant applications to enhance rescue capabilities. With meticulous care and dedication, the Rescue team remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard marine life and promote conservation efforts.Sea Turtle and Aquatic BiologyThroughout the year, CMA's Sea Turtle and Aquatic Biology team engaged in various conservation and exhibit enhancement projects. Notably, Scott, Kelly, and Dr. Mary participated in a Perdido Key Beach Mouse meeting, aiming to establish a Taxon Advisory Group with AZA to advance species sustainability efforts. The installation of custom-built aquariums for the mangroves of the world exhibit and collaborations with local artists highlighted CMA's commitment to conservation education and artistic expression. The Aquatic Biology Program oversaw significant updates to existing exhibits and introduced new experiences like the touch tank, enriching guest interactions and promoting conservation awareness. The rehoming of red-footed tortoises and the transition of the aquaponics area into a tortoise habitat further diversified CMA's educational offerings while prioritizing animal welfare. Amidst these endeavors, the Sea Turtle and Aquatic Biology program continued to foster intimate guest engagement opportunities, bridging the gap between visitors and marine life through hands-on experiences and conservation discussions.DiveThroughout the year, CMA's Dive team has made significant strides in enhancing marine habitat aesthetics and supporting maintenance efforts. With the addition of two full-time Dive Coordinators, the team's cleaning efforts have been bolstered, complemented by volunteer participation. Despite challenges such as algae overgrowth in the Rescue Deck pool system following animal health concerns, collaborative efforts between Dive, Engineering, Animal Care, and Water Quality teams ensured successful cleaning while maintaining water quality standards. The Dive team's versatility was showcased through their support in various maintenance tasks, including cleaning and disinfection efforts across different exhibits. A newfound partnership with Nemo Power Tools promises to further improve efficiencies, with the acquisition of underwater tools enhancing CMA's capabilities in marine habitat maintenance and contributing to marketability through instructional videos.