By SDCN Editor
La Jolla, CA–Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego Wednesday announced Living Seas. This reimagined exhibition will replace the aquarium’s famed Hall of Fishes next summer.
The exhibition, the largest capital improvement since the aquarium was built in 1992, invites guests to journey through the Pacific Ocean to inspire a love of nature, a sense of place, and ocean optimism.
“Generations of San Diegans have been inspired by our Hall of Fishes and I can’t wait to introduce future generations to Living Seas, which has been in the works for years,” said Executive Director Harry Helling.
Over the last 30 years, the Hall of Fishes has welcomed more than 12 million guests worldwide. The aquarium invites the community to visit the Hall of Fishes before the transformation begins. During select dates, guests will contribute to a memory collection, sharing their favorite stories of the Hall of Fishes before renovations begin on Sept. 29.
“We have assembled an amazing group of scientists, experienced designers, animal care experts, and contractors to reimagine this iconic space,” said Helling.
Living Seas is an unforgettable journey along the West Coast to uncover the wonders of the Pacific. With expanded viewing windows, next-generation digital displays, and immersive projections, guests will dive into the dynamic ecosystems of the coast. The experience begins in the Pacific Northwest’s cooler waters, featuring an immersive Giant Pacific Octopus habitat and captivating jellies. Next, guests will discover Coastal California in the aquarium’s signature Giant Kelp Forest and a reimagined Scripps Pier experience that provides an engaging look at cutting-edge research from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The adventure ends in the Tropical Pacific, where stunning corals, vibrant reefs, and a lush mangrove habitat await.
“Preparing for a move with nearly 4,000 animals in the Hall of Fishes is a major undertaking,” said Jenn Nero, Senior Director of Animal Care, Science and Conservation. “We strategically plan every aspect, from life support systems and animal transfers to preventative medicine, ensuring each animal’s unique needs—such as temperature, social and physiological behaviors, lighting, and medical requirements—are addressed.”
Beginning Sept. 3, Birch Aquarium’s Animal Care Team will begin relocating beloved animals including the Giant Pacific Octopus and rescued Loggerhead Sea Turtle to temporary homes behind the scenes. The entire aquarium will close for four days from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 while the Hall of Fishes is prepared for renovation. The rest of the aquarium will reopen on Oct. 4 with Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen and several additional offerings that will be announced this fall.
“While Living Seas is being renovated, there will still be plenty to see and do at Birch Aquarium,” said Helling. “In addition to our beloved Little Blue Penguins, Weedy Seadragons, and Leopard Sharks, we will be opening Embodied Pacific, continuing our popular events like Oceans at Night, and launching a series of exciting new guest experiences.”
Embodied Pacific: Oceans Unseen explores ocean science through immersive art installations created through partnerships between Scripps Institution of Oceanography researchers and artists. The exhibition asks the community to consider how ocean science technology is not just about “high-tech” but also about the everyday tools used to shape the understanding of the ocean’s unseen mysteries. Embodied Pacific is part of the Getty initiative PST ART: Art and Science Collide and spans six locations.
Living Seas is slated to open in the summer of 2025. Birch Aquarium is open daily to the public.
For information and schedule, visit aquarium.ucsd.edu.
