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 Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Experience the Remarkable Grunion Run with Birch Aquarium at Scripps Witness the amazing mating ritual with aquarium naturalists Scripps Institution of Oceanography / University of California, San Diego  Grunion Run programs feature a rare opportunity to witness grunion eggs hatch before your eyes. 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. 2009 Season: •Saturday, March 28, 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.* * Includes a special presentation by Karen Martin, Pepperdine University marine biologist and grunion expert •Friday, April 10, 9:30-11:30 p.m. •Saturday, April 11, 10 p.m.-12 a.m. •Saturday, May 9, 9-11 p.m. •Monday, May 25, 9:30-11:30 p.m. •Monday, June 8, 9:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. NOTE: Grunion Runs do not take place at Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Reservations must be received in advance by calling 858-534-7336. Grunion Groupies Saturdays and Sundays April 4-June 13 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. Included with aquarium admission Join Birch Aquarium at Scripps naturalists every Saturday and Sunday as they share the amazing tale of the elusive California grunion. Learn how these unique fish "run" up our local beaches and lay their eggs in the moist sand. Experience the joy of watching baby grunion hatch right before your eyes! 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 400,000, including 45,000 school children. Visit Birch Aquarium at Scripps Location: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, Calif. Phone: 858-534-FISH Web site: http://aquarium.ucsd.edu Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily Admission: $11 Adult, 18+ $9 Senior, 60+ $7.50 Youth, 3-17 Free Children, 2 and under Free Scripps Oceanographic Society Members 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. # # # 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. 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. The National Research Council has ranked Scripps first in faculty quality among oceanography programs nationwide 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 1,300, and annual expenditures of approximately $155 million from federal, state and private sources. Scripps operates one of the largest U.S. academic fleets with four oceanographic research ships and one research platform for worldwide exploration. |
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