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Friday, February 4, 2011


Experience a Remarkable Grunion Run with Birch Aquarium at Scripps

From April to early June, observe the mysterious grunion spawn on the beaches of La Jolla.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography / University of California, San Diego

Join Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, for a must-see ocean adventure. From April to early June, observe the mysterious grunion spawn on the beaches of La Jolla.

Witness this mysterious fish spawn on the beaches of La Jolla.

On certain spring nights following high tides, hundreds of the small, silvery fish ride the waves onto shore for this remarkable mating ritual. While on the beach, female grunion bury themselves in the sand to lay eggs, while males wrap themselves protectively around the females to fertilize their eggs. Both catch a wave to return to sea.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps naturalists will guide participants through an unforgettable night, starting with a presentation on grunion, followed by a rare opportunity to witness grunion eggs hatch before their eyes. The unique experience continues with a moonlight beach exploration. Please bring a flashlight and warm jacket.

The program is $12 per person, ages 6+.

2011 Season:
· Tuesday, April 5, 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
· Tuesday, April 19, 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
· Thursday, May 5, 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
· Thursday, May 19, 11 p.m. - 1 a.m.
· Friday, June 3, 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Grunion runs do not take place at Birch Aquarium. Reservations must be received in advance by registering online or calling 858-534-7336.

About Birch Aquarium at Scripps:
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the aquarium features more than 60 habitats of fish and invertebrates from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and the Caribbean. An interactive museum showcases research discoveries by Scripps scientists on climate, earth and ocean science. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Birch Aquarium has an annual attendance of more than 410,000, including 45,000 school children.

Location: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, Calif.
Phone: 858-534-FISH
Website: http://aquarium.ucsd.edu
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Directions: From Interstate 5, exit at La Jolla Village Drive. West one mile. Left on Expedition Way.
Parking: Birch Aquarium offers three-hour courtesy parking.

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Note to broadcast and cable producers: University of California, San Diego provides an on-campus satellite uplink facility for live or pre-recorded television interviews. Please phone or e-mail the media contact listed above to arrange an interview.

About Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California, San Diego, is one of the oldest, largest and most important centers for global science research and education in the world. Now in its second century of discovery, the scientific scope of the institution has grown to include biological, physical, chemical, geological, geophysical and atmospheric studies of the earth as a system. Hundreds of research programs covering a wide range of scientific areas are under way today in 65 countries. The institution has a staff of about 1,400, and annual expenditures of approximately $170 million from federal, state and private sources. Scripps operates robotic networks, and one of the largest U.S. academic fleets with four oceanographic research ships and one research platform for worldwide exploration. Birch Aquarium at Scripps serves as the interpretive center of the institution and showcases Scripps research and a diverse array of marine life through exhibits and programming for more than 415,000 visitors each year. Learn more at scripps.ucsd.edu.

UCSD 50th Anniversary Logo

About UC San Diego
Fifty years ago, the founders of the University of California, San Diego, had one criterion for the campus: It must be distinctive. Since then, UC San Diego has achieved the extraordinary in education, research and innovation. Sixteen Nobel laureates have taught on campus; stellar faculty members have been awarded Fields Medals, Pulitzer Prizes, McArthur Fellowships and many other honors. UC San Diego-recognized as one of the top ten public universities by U.S. News & World Report and named by the Washington Monthly as number one in the nation in rankings measuring "what colleges are doing for the country"- is widely acknowledged for its local impact, national influence and global reach. UC San Diego is celebrating 50 years of visionaries, innovators and overachievers.
50th.ucsd.edu


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