Monterey Aquarium PR

A woman stands alone in silhouette in front of the Open Sea exhibit at Monterey Bay Aquarium, with tuna and other fishes swimming in blue water behind a curtain of bubbles rising inside the front of the exhibit. The logo of KPIX CBS News appears in black, blue, and white at the bottom left of the photo.

Wonderful interview on KPIX-TV with @montereybayaquarium.org Executive Director @juliepackard.montereybayaquarium.org about highlights of her 40-plus years leading the Aquarium. bit.ly/4r9TWVq

A bicyclist at lower right rides on a paved coastal bikepath in Pacific Grove against a backdrop of a split-rail fence, offshore rocks, blue ocean water, and green grass and trees.

Thanks also to the Monterey County Hospitality Association, Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust, Monterey County Business Council, and Big Sur Chamber of Commerce for spelling out what offshore leasing could mean for the health of our economy.

Local industry leaders raise economic concerns posed by Trump's offshore oil drilling proposal. Monterey leaders and industry experts met to oppose Trump's offshore oil drilling plan, citing major threats to tourism, coastal economy, and marine life. Le...

Oil and gas leasing off the California coast threatens the health not just of the environment but also of our economy. Many thanks to @usrepjimmypanetta.bsky.social
for convening business leaders to underscore the risk. bit.ly/4kWXvwz #OffshoreOil #CleanEnergyFuture #CoastalEconomy #tourism

One of the most influential zoo leaders in the world and a passionate champion for conservation, Jenny brings decades of experience advancing wildlife protection, research, and animal well-being.

“I can’t imagine a better person to come lead the Aquarium’s next chapter,” - Julie Packard.

When she was a student, the Monterey Bay Aquarium blew her away. Now she'll run it Your morning catch-up: A new boss at Monterey's aquarium, the Trump tourism bust and more big stories

With gratitude for an extraordinary legacy and excitement for what’s ahead, we’re thrilled to share that, following a global search, Dr. Jenny Gray has been appointed the Aquarium’s Chief Executive Officer.

Learn more about Dr. Jenny in her interview with the LA Times
mbayaq.co/46Mi6h7

Two people stand in silhouette with the Kelp Forest exhibit in the background. The black lines of bridge railings and mullions on the exhibit windows cross the image vertically and horizontally.

Jenny is passionate about @montereybayaquarium.org's conservation mission, a leader in the zoological community, and committed to advancing our vision of a future where the ocean flourishes and people thrive in a just and equitable world. With her at the helm, the Aquarium is in great hands.

Dr. Jenny Gray, a white woman with blonde hair and a dark dress, stands with her hands clasped against a background of green trees and other plants.

I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Dr. Jenny Gray as the new CEO of @montereybayaquarium.org. I’ve gotten to know Jenny over the years through her work with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the IUCN. She is a fantastic person. bit.ly/4kEsDRe

'50 States in 50 Weeks' visits California ABC News' Becky Worley, who is in Eureka's Sequoia Park, takes "GMA" viewers on a journey through the state's 840-mile coastline along the Pacific Coast Highway.

So cool to have Good Morning America feature @montereybayaquarium.org Sea Otter Program in its "50 States in 50 Weeks." Informative and LOTS of sea otters! bit.ly/461OxIi #MarineMammals #SeaOtters #OceanConservation

Silver and blue-grey fishes swim over rocks covered with multi-colored invertebrates as giant kelp fronds rise in a background of green-blue ocean water. Photo by Patrick Webster.

Congratulations to Meghan Hertel, the new director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife! Many thanks to @governor.ca.gov for choosing an exceptionally qualified individual to fill this important role. Our @montereybayaquarium.org team looks forward to working with her. mbayaq.co/46ism0l

A mother sea otter with a pale muzzle holds a fluffy dark-brown pup on her belly as both animals float in blue water.

With donor support, we completed a new Sea Otter Conservation Center in 2025 so we can return even more rescued otter pups to the wild. Thank you, @katharinehayhoe.com for highlighting the important role wildlife plays in climate solutions. bit.ly/4c34NfD

The team at @montereybayaquarium.org knows the critical role sea otters play in solving the #ClimateCrisis. We've spent 40+ years documenting their contributions and working to rescue, rehabilitate, and return stranded sea otters -- including rescued pups -- to the wild. bit.ly/4qcPrc6

A white woman with white hair, off-white scarf, and tan coat stands next to a white man with gray hair, weariing a gray windbreaker and blue shirt. The ocean is in the background.

A group of people stands outside on a concrete deck above the Sea Otter Exhibit at Monterey Bay Aquarium. One level below them, visitors are visible through the exhibit windows, looking at sea otters swimming in the water.

We had a lot of fun showing @schiff.senate.gov around @montereybayaquarium.org last week. Our sea otter exhibit and our work to rescue, rehabilitate, and return stranded animals to the wild captured his heart. We're grateful for all the Senator is doing so people and the ocean can thrive together.

peter benchley awards

Follow the link for a full list of the honorees and details about attending the May 7 gala in Monterey at the Aquarium: www.peterbenchleyoceanawards.org

Colorful Monterey Bay ocean invertebrates, mostly orange, pink, and yellow cover rocks in the foreground while giant kelp towers in light blue water in the background.

"We share a vision of a world where the ocean and people thrive together, in a just and equitable world," Packard added. "Working together, and with so many talented colleagues around the globe, I’m confident we can make that vision a reality.”

peter benchley awards

“I’m truly grateful for this honor,” Julie Packard said. “It reflects the tremendous work, over the course of decades, of the dedicated team at @montereybayaquarium.org." www.peterbenchleyoceanawards.org

A white woman with white hair, rust-colored scarf, gray jacket, and blue top smiles at the camera while standing against a background of golden giant kelp fronds.

We’re delighted that Executive Director @juliepackard.montereybayaquarium.org will receive the 2026 Peter Benchley Ocean Awards as Ocean Hero in ceremonies at the Aquarium on May 7. The awards, presented by @aquariumconserv.bsky.social, celebrate those whose work advances ocean conservation.

Sea stars: return of the galaxy | #shorts #conservation YouTube video by Monterey Bay Aquarium

Not so long ago, in a galaxy off the West Coast… SEA STAR WASTING SYNDROME has killed billions of Pycnopodia helianthoides. Scientists took up the fight to restore sunflower stars. We will be sharing their saga all next week on YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn this coming Monday! ✴️

Historic High Seas Treaty enters into force, launching a new era of global ocean governance - High Seas Alliance The Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), has officially entered into force, marking a historic milestone for g...

It's so encouraging that international law now recognizes the critical role a healthy ocean plays in sustaining life on our planet. Kudos to the @highseasalliance.bsky.social and all the individuals and organizations who made this a reality! highseasalliance.org/2026/01/16/h...

The High Seas Treaty spells hope for the ocean, but only if it is powered by science - Nature Reviews Biodiversity The new High Seas Treaty presents an unprecedented opportunity to protect and sustainably use the biodiversity in an area that covers nearly half the planet. Jane Lubchenco calls on scientists to help...

There's a lot of work ahead. As Jane Lubchenco writes in @natrevbiodiv.nature.com, we must invest in science to ensure that steps to safeguard life on the high seas is grounded in a solid framework of objective information. www.nature.com/articles/s44...

A Landmark 'High Seas Treaty' Has Arrived. Here's Why It's a Big Deal. The United Nations Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement (BBNJA) – nicknamed the 'High Seas Treaty' – comes into force on January 17, a massive milestone in efforts to conserve marine li...

The first international High Seas Treaty takes effect this weekend. It's a significant step toward protecting Earth's largest living space: the deep ocean beyond all national borders. bit.ly/3NmqsoZ #HighSeasTreaty #MarineBiodiversity #MarineProtectedAreas #InternationalLaw #OceanConservation

A dark brown sea otter, Opal, pulling herself up from dark water to peer at the viewer with her paws on a rocky exhibit outcropping

We’re working with Opal in hopes she’ll be a surrogate herself one day, giving orphaned pups a second chance at survival by teaching them the skills they need for release into the wild. 🦦 Learn about our lovable exhibit otters and the role they play in our surrogacy program: mbayaq.co/4puYm8i

A profile shot of Opal, a dark brown sea otter with wet fur

Two sea otters with wet brown fur interact while playing on a pile of ice in an Aquarium exhibit

Orphaned Opal was rescued and raised behind the scenes as part of our sea otter surrogacy program. Now this sparkly otter’s making a splash by inspiring conservation and awareness for her threatened species.

✨Opal is ready for her close-up! This confident and curious otter explores the world with her teeth. Behind Opal’s fluffy whiskered face is a powerful bite rivaling the king of the jungle! 🦁

A yellow and whitle anemone dominates the foreground, with an orange sea star and pinkish encrusting algae on rocks. In the background, giant kelp towers against light blue water. Photo by Patrick Webster.

When we stand together and use our voices, we can stop this leasing plan and create the future we want for our children: one where the ocean flourishes and people thrive, here in California and beyond. Many thanks to ocean champion Leon Panetta, my co-author on this commentary. bit.ly/3Lo2hWp

A humpback whale breaches in Monterey Bay. Its white flippers extend to the left and right of its dark-gray belly. Ocean water is dark blue and mountains and pale blue sky are visible in the background.

Once more, it’s time for us to act. Between now and Jan. 23, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is taking public comments on this deeply flawed proposal. The administration needs to hear — in no uncertain terms — that its leasing plan is dead on arrival. bit.ly/49FRhNq

Trump’s plan to open California’s coastline to oil drilling threatens more than ocean life OPINION: The Trump administration plans to open the length of California’s coast to offshore oil and gas development, regardless of the law and the consequences.

Forty years ago, Californians stopped an ill-conceived federal plan to open our coast to offshore oil and gas drilling. In the decades since, we’ve taken remarkable steps to safeguard our coastal waters. Now the Trump administration is pushing to undo all we’ve accomplished. bit.ly/3Lo2hWp

The science is clear. At a time when we face life-threatening impacts from climate change, this ill-conceived effort to open massive parts of our ocean to offshore oil and gas leasing is a major step backward in the nation’s urgently needed transition away from fossil fuels.

Two otters float near rocky shore of the Monterey Bay

Join our ocean action email list to stay up-to-date on offshore drilling: mbayaq.co/4ibVFXl

An egret lands on kelp bed on Monterey Bay

Read and share our official statement on offshore drilling: mbayaq.co/48dJaWJ

King tide wave crashes on the rocks on Monterey Bay coastline

Today, the California coast we cherish and the delicate ocean ecosystems just beyond it face a renewed threat from offshore drilling. We oppose the Trump Administration’s 5-year oil and gas leasing program and will continue to defend our coastline, wildlife, economy, and health from this threat.