Aquarium History
Aquarium Historical Timeline
1998
Aquarium opens to the public on June 20, 1998
1999
Sea Otter Summer celebration launches
2000
American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) accredits Aquarium of the Pacific
Special exhibit gallery opens with Jellies: Phantoms of the Deep
2001
Lorikeet Forest opens
Aquarium establishes Marine Conservation Research Institute (MCRI)
Coastal America designates the Aquarium as a Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center
2002
Shark Lagoon opens
Aquarium receives AZA Award for the first facility to successfully breed weedy sea dragons
Aquarium launches first cultural festival celebrating the diversity of our local communities
Aquarium launches guest speaker series
2003
Aquarium celebrates Pacific Island Summer
Aquarium wins the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board Award for Public Education in Water Quality
Association of Fundraising Professionals honors the Aquarium as Outstanding Volunteer Organization
2004
Weird, Wild, and Wonderful exhibit opens
Premiere of Whales: Voices in the Sea, which wins silver medal as best new interactive science exhibit in the U.S. by the American Association of Museums
One millionth student visits the Aquarium
2005
Whales: A Journey with Giants multi-media show opens
Rios de la Vida: Our Watershed Story mural and exhibits debut on Aquarium front plaza
2006
Aquarium mourns the passing of Founding President and CEO Warren Iliff
Aquarium launches Dazzling & Dangerous exhibit and programming
Animal care team does successful pioneering surgical procedure on sawfish
10 millionth guest visits the Aquarium
2007
Shorebird Sanctuary opens
Premiere of Catch a Wave exhibit and programming
Aquarium of the Pacific becomes the first among museums, zoos, and aquariums in the U.S. to join the Climate Action Registry.
2008
Aquarium reaches one millionth hour donated by volunteers
Enhanced Gulf of California exhibit, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, opens
Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates 10th anniversary
Our Watersheds: Pathway to the Pacific opens (Fall 2008)
