New Bedford Oceanarium

CONTACT:

PO Box 1906
New Bedford, MA 02741
508-994-5400
www.oceanexplorium.org

Louis E. Garibaldi, Director

DESCRIPTION:

Philanthropy is playing a significant role in rescuing the New Bedford economy. The centerpiece is this Aquarium, recycling the turn-of-the-century COM/Electric power plant, located on 28 acres of prime waterfront real estate. The BSO, with 270,000 square feet, and a water tank capacity of 2 million gallons, is the fourth largest public aquarium in the world. It attracts nearly 1 million visitors annually, giving a healthy boost to the local economy.

But this is not primarily about social welfare and economic rebirth. The fact is that Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island are home to more marine scientists than any other locale on Earth. They inform the Aquarium's education programs, which include, beside the tank itself, an IMAX theatre, an interactive museum teaching about the sustainable ocean world, and a center for Science, Education and Economic Development (SEED) of new marine and environmental technologies in aquaculture, remote sensing and robotics.

(1998: CULTURE: Education: Informal: General)