Earlier this week, the National Aquarium welcomed Major League Soccer to Baltimore during a special event in the Marine Mammal Amphitheater. The event was a preview to the 2011 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, which is being held at the Baltimore Convention Center January 13 and 14.

This past weekend, the National Aquarium, Washington, DC hosted its annual Shark weekend celebration and introduced its newest exhibit, Sherman’s Lagoon. The permanent exhibit is home to Sherman the Shark, a popular character created by nationally syndicated cartoonist Jim Toomey, and is dedicated to the Aquarium’s important work on shark education and conservation.

Jim Toomey partnered with the Aquarium’s shark experts to share his creative ideas of communicating fun and interesting facts about sharks. The exhibit features interactive workstations, educational videos, shark myths and conservation messages from Sherman the Shark. Activities include spinning the “Wheel of Doom” to learn about the dangers that sharks face as well as an art station where visitors can draw their own illustrations of Sherman.

Sherman himself has been brought to life as a costumed character exclusively for the Aquarium. Sherman helps promote greater awareness and protection of these ancient, mysterious and often misunderstood ocean dwellers.

“For nearly 30 years, the National Aquarium has been a leader in shark conservation through our care and research,” commented Bob Ramin, executive director of the National Aquarium’s DC venue.  “With the help of Jim Toomey, we have created an engaging exhibit that will now help us educate our visitors about the importance of shark conservation and eliminate misconceptions about these fascinating ocean creatures.”

Sherman’s Lagoon is one of the many exhibits in the aquarium that incorporates education with fun. While tending to the activities, visitors will learn about sharks and the National Aquarium’s ongoing work in shark conservation and protection. 

Visitors are encouraged by the Aquarium to help their cause by signing a personalized petition to send to congressional lawmakers just down the street in support of the Shark Conservation Act. The act is intended to protect sharks, mainly from fishing and shark finning, from possible endangerment or extinction. On average around 73 million sharks are killed each year equating to around 200,000 per day, making them one of the most threatened animals in our waters. 

After exploring Sherman’s Lagoon visitors can also stop by the Channel Islands, National Marine Sanctuary Exhibit to see the various sharks lurk around in their exhibit and witness Lunchtime with Sharks, one of the Aquariums many daily animal encounters. Feeding of the Leopard, Swell and Horn shark take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. Visitors will also learn what makes sharks different from other ocean creatures.

Conservation of animals and the environment continues to be a large priority of the National Aquarium. The National Aquarium promotes respect and care for the environment and the animals that live in it through research and multiple education programs. To learn more about the National Aquarium’s conservation work, aqua.org/conservation.

Baltimore, MD– April 27, 2010–This June, the National Aquarium will present Dora & Diego’s 4-D Adventure, a new family friendly theatrical film and attraction based on Nickelodeon’s hit animated preschool series Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!. For the first time ever, families can see these popular characters animated in digital 3-D, with special effects that make the story burst off the screen. To kick off the new film, Dora and Diego costumed characters will make special appearances at the Aquarium on June 26 and 27.

(Washington, DC, March 28, 2010) — The National Aquarium, Washington, home to America’s Aquatic Treasures TM, is booming with new life! Families are invited to meet the newest residents of the Aquarium while exploring over 250 aquatic species around the country. The Aquarium’s intimate experience and exhibit design brings children face-to-face with baby alligators, sea turtles, stingrays and more.

The International Academy of Visual Art recently awarded the National Aquarium’s new jellies website, www.aqua.org/jellies, two awards. The website was launched in conjunction with Jellies Invasion: Oceans Out of Balance, one of the Aquarium’s newest exhibits. R2integrated (R2i), a leading Internet marketing technology company, worked closely with the National Aquarium’s interactive department to help launch the new website.