Join Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium to celebrate its fourth annual Underwater Parks Day, and the implementation of Marine Protected Areas (known as MPAs) in Southern California. The marine science center - beach level just beneath the Santa Monica Pier’s carousel – will feature activities and presentations about the newly designated areas and give visitors the chance to meet many of the marine animals they safeguard.
Visitors will receive a free canvas tote bag and can create their own underwater parks scene on their bags at the Aquarium’s craft station. Interactive games and activities are designed for all ages to learn how to help improve the health of the ocean.
And for those who first join a beach cleanup and/or nature walk from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at Westward Beach/Point Dume, same day admission to the Aquarium is free.
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Just as parks on land are established to preserve and protect wildlife, MPAs help protect underwater marine resources like fish and kelp forests for future generations to enjoy. Plans set forth by the Marine Life Protection Act of 1999 called for a network of MPAs along the California coast. These new Southern California MPAs help complete the network as they join other MPAs in Central and Northern California
