A High-Definition Television theater uses stunning footage to tell the story of human connection to the coast and how a growing human population affects sockeye salmon, manatees, orca whales, coral reefs and even life in Boston Harbor. By the year 2025, an estimated 6.3 billion people will live there. The greatest threat to sea life today other than overfishing arises from human activity on land. In fact, humans affect coastal areas, even if they live hundreds of miles inland. Although our coastal conditions are critical, restoration is possible.
Many coastal areas are remarkably resilient.
Because coastal habitats are so diverse, and often so misunderstood, it is difficult to build the kind of conservation constituency that has rallied in support of the world's rain forests. We hope that through this exhibit, our visitors will be well on their way to becoming that constituency the world's imperiled coasts so desperately need. The Coastal Rhythms exhibit is part of a much larger vision shared by the New England Aquarium and Earth Pledge Foundation of New York City, which have joined forces in a limited liability corporation to help elevate public awareness of and response to the imperiled coastal regions of the planet. Coastal Rhythms is the centerpiece of the brand new West Wing. This new facility will help us better communicate what is at stake and why the Aquarium's commitment to conservation, education and research is so critical.