2025-11-13T11:21:16-06:00 2024-12-31 941254756 HOOD & STRONG LLP 2580 N 1ST ST STE 460 SAN JOSE CA 95131 990 2024-01-01 942487469 MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM FOUNDATION MONT 8316484800 886 CANNERY ROW MONTEREY CA 93940 ANN MARIE NEMANICH CFO 8316484800 2025-11-13 1 0 MAGA E KISRIEV P01008919 4089988400 2025-11-11 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z JULIE PACKARD 886 CANNERY ROW MONTEREY CA 93940 1048853755 0 X WWW.MONTEREYBAYAQUARIUM.ORG X 1978 CA TO INSPIRE OCEAN CONSERVATION AND ADVOCATE FOR THE OCEAN AND ITS WILDLIFE. 18 17 658 1213 834117 283050 70908550 105608470 70441774 74298102 13683172 26431211 872401 1797868 155905897 208135651 733951 270148 0 0 56132278 64762064 132349 193037 7330757 51772274 58301664 108770852 123526913 47135045 84608738 739524414 837664477 24319238 23191407 715205176 814473070 X THE MISSION OF THE MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM IS TO INSPIRE CONSERVATION OF THE OCEAN. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE DRAW INSPIRATION FROM THE AQUARIUM AND LOOK TO US TO ADVOCATE FOR THE OCEAN AND ITS WILDLIFE. 0 0 77717140 75209 74443503 ANIMAL CARE AND AQUARIUM EXPERIENCESEE SCHEDULE O FOR FULL DESCRIPTION 8734219 111148 6000 EDUCATION AND OUTREACHSEE SCHEDULE O FOR FULL DESCRIPTION 14047417 83791 637760 CONSERVATION AND SCIENCESEE SCHEDULE O FOR FULL DESCRIPTION 100498776 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 216 0 1 658 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 18 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 CA X X ANN MARIE NEMANICH 8316484800 886 CANNERY ROW MONTEREY CA 93940 TEGAN ACTON BOARD CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CAROLINE GETTY TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MRC GREENWOOD TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MIKE GUPTA TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 BEN JEALOUS TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ERIC JENSEN TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL MANTELL TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARTHA MARTINEZ TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 STEPHEN NEAL TRUSTEE (THRU MAY 24) 1.00 X 0 0 0 SUSAN ORR TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHRIS SCHOLIN EX-OFFICIO TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 GREG SILVERMAN TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 LOUISE STEPHENS TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARK WAN TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 LISA WHITE TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 GIDEON YU TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALISHA JOHNSON WILDER TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ANNELIESE OLSON TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 JULIE PACKARD VICE CHAIR & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 28.00 X X 417615 0 53031 BARBARA WRIGHT SECRETARY 1.00 X 0 0 0 BRADLEY RUTHERFORD EXEC VP AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR 40.00 X 412221 0 56615 ANN MARIE NEMANICH CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40.00 X 308983 0 45107 ROBERT YOUNG VP OF FINANCE (THRU 8/30/24) 40.00 X 116193 0 30974 KARIN KIESSLING ASSIST SECRETARY (BOD) 40.00 X 122756 0 22983 ARMANDO VIDAL ARATA ASSIST SECRETARY (BOD) 40.00 X 88645 0 21371 CHRISTINA FEKECI CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER 40.00 X 423464 0 50603 DANA ALLEN-GREIL CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER 40.00 X 272627 0 67557 MARGARET SPRING CHIEF CONSERVATION & SCI OFFICER 40.00 X 265929 0 55799 JON HOECH VP OF ANIMAL CARE 40.00 X 231559 0 46702 MARY-BETH REDMOND-JONES VP OF EXHIBS/FACS (THRU 11/21/24) 40.00 X 215395 0 23222 FERNANDA SAMPAIO VP OF MARKETING 40.00 X 206735 0 26344 MARIA HEMMESCH VP OF PEOPLE & CULTURE 40.00 X 202931 0 59485 NICOLE SANCHEZ CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER 40.00 X 153836 0 17458 PAULINE PARRISH CONTROLLER 40.00 X 217754 0 35895 JENNIFER DIANTO KEMMERLY VP OF GLOBAL OCEAN CONSERVATION 40.00 X 233244 0 39604 AIMEE DAVID VP US & CA OCEAN CONSERVATION 40.00 X 212803 0 35532 ANN DABOVICH VP OF GIFT PLANNING 40.00 X 205624 0 32942 SOO DEAN VP MEMBER & DONOR RELATIONS 40.00 X 189903 0 60401 4498217 0 781625 145 0 1 0 FRANK M BOOTH INC 4200 DOUGLAS BLVD GRANITE BAY CA 95746 CONSTRUCTION 7412026 BLACH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY 2244 BLACH PLACE SUITE 100 SAN JOSE CA 95131 CONSTRUCTION 5764401 SERVICE SYSTEMS ASSOCIATES INC 4624 CENTRAL PARK BLVD SUITE 100 DENVER CO 80238 RETAIL AND CULINARY SERVICE 4438176 IMPACTS EXPERIENCE 207 E OHIO ST STE 407 CHICAGO IL 60611 ADVERTISING 4047976 POWER ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION CO 1501 VIKING STREET STE 200 ALAMEDA CA 94501 CONSTRUCTION 3139325 84 13514139 4111183 87983148 1228891 105608470 ADMISSION FEES 712130 66684055 66684055 TOURS, EVENTS, OTHER 712130 7614047 7614047 74298102 12554798 171176 12383622 1406203 1060437 345766 345766 345766 853534080 839657667 13876413 13876413 13876413 PARKING REVENUE 812930 697951 35010 662941 LICENSING REVENUE 900099 510833 510833 OTHER EARNED REVENUE 900099 243318 243318 1452102 208135651 75087263 834117 26605801 22289 22289 167409 167409 80450 80450 4016137 2020948 1380110 615079 46446714 38971351 4564227 2911136 3239041 2734129 277529 227383 7446889 6180320 777494 489075 3613283 2989126 395399 228758 345234 314452 30782 217388 217388 233661 233661 193037 193037 1416986 1416986 11297941 8828617 947750 1521574 8011019 8007597 3422 2936563 2460283 61944 414336 6867214 6218053 603695 45466 72940 68649 4291 9826924 8225839 1132477 468608 1276859 1158951 99244 18664 1315930 669859 526914 119157 12298996 9696394 2582777 19825 1156154 1061916 87233 7005 VEHICLE AND VESSEL OPER 587704 431182 156500 22 SPONSORSHIPS & GIFTS 440151 271753 147548 20850 123526913 100498776 15697380 7330757 11267067 5576842 55987009 46734424 21631281 59554773 3782786 2840152 2260191 2625717 431808066 226522329 191386461 205285737 335057007 269350359 113188757 242193955 4963855 3502518 739524414 837664477 15335864 14631812 8837495 8444918 145879 114677 24319238 23191407 X 626057048 674733614 89148128 139739456 715205176 814473070 739524414 837664477 X 84608738 14396991 262165 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 67321983 60269366 65111538 70908550 105608470 369219907 67321983 60269366 65111538 70908550 105608470 369219907 87912399 281307508 1485246 681088 4059100 13221408 13789825 33236667 110732 15936 552 40704 283050 450974 35128 35128 402942676 250866337 0.69810 0.78010 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1027 248396 249423 121667467 121916890 1000000 250000 0 0 1000000 1000000 1000000 1000000 4000000 6000000 134425 239889 227515 249423 851252 250000 250000 250000 250000 1000000 1500000 1027 1027 354664757 1803000 31170000 12038000 375599757 291763757 5292000 28882000 -28727000 354664757 334361757 3768000 -35661000 10705000 291763757 293525757 3266000 47351000 9781000 334361757 267572483 3869666 31483608 9400000 293525757 0.85660 0.09689 0.04651 0 0 39748397 39748397 257403048 135389172 122013876 45458226 36479185 8979041 89198395 54653972 34544423 205285737 ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS 242193955 F 242193955 GIFT ANNUITY PAYMENT LIABILITY 47874 SECURITY DEPOSITS FROM TENANTS 66803 114677 X 226473255 14396992 454060 262165 15113217 211360038 1416986 -4641373 -3224387 208135651 127205361 454060 4641374 5095434 122109927 1416986 1416986 123526913 PART V, LINE 4: THE EARNINGS OF THE AQUARIUM'S ENDOWMENT FUNDS SUPPORT EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS AND THE MISSION OF THE AQUARIUM. THE EARNINGS OF THE AQUARIUM'S ENDOWMENT FUNDS PROVIDE FREE PROGRAMS TO SCHOOL CHILDREN, SUPPORT EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, AND THE MISSION OF THE AQUARIUM. PART X, LINE 2: THE MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM FOUNDATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, HOWEVER, IT IS SUBJECT TO TAX ON INCOME UNRELATED TO ITS EXEMPT PURPOSE, UNLESS THAT INCOME IS OTHERWISE EXCLUDED BY THE CODE. THE AQUARIUM IS ALSO EXEMPT FROM CALIFORNIA STATE FRANCHISE TAXES UNDER SECTION 23701D OF THE CALIFORNIA REVENUE AND TAXATION CODE. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024, MANAGEMENT EVALUATED THE AQUARIUM'S TAX POSITIONS AND CONCLUDED THAT THE AQUARIUM HAD MAINTAINED ITS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS AND HAD TAKEN NO MATERIAL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE ADJUSTMENT TO OR DISCLOSURE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: CHANGE IN INTEREST IN CHARITABLE TRUSTS 324,330. CHANGE IN ALLOWANCE FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE PLEDGES -62,165. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: RENTAL EXPENSES -1,060,437. COST OF SALES -3,580,936. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: RENTAL EXPENSES 1,060,437. COST OF SALES 3,580,937. 1 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) 0 0 INVESTMENTS 20427921 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) 0 0 PROGRAM SERVICES CONERENCES/FELLOWS 53990 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) 0 0 GRANTS 5450 CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN 0 0 INVESTMENTS 120369734 CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN 0 0 PROGRAM SERVICES CONERENCES/FELLOWS 771 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 0 7 PROGRAM SERVICES CONERENCES/FELLOWS, SEAFOOD WATCH 428677 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 0 7 GRANTS 35000 NORTH AMERICA 0 0 PROGRAM SERVICES CONERENCES/FELLOWS 77400 NORTH AMERICA 0 0 GRANTS 33000 SOUTH AMERICA 0 0 PROGRAM SERVICES CONERENCES/FELLOWS 1183 SOUTH AMERICA 0 0 GRANTS 7000 SOUTH ASIA 0 5 PROGRAM SERVICES SEAFOOD WATCH 211500 0 7 0 5 0 12 141398943 252683 141651626 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC BUILD BRIDGE 35000 WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) TRAVEL COSTS TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE 5450 WIRE TRANSFER 0 SOUTH AMERICA TRAVEL TO CONFERENCE 7000 WIRE TRANSFER 0 0 3 TO SUPPORT PARTICIPATION IN THE CAPTIVE AND FIELD RESEARCH ON MHI SYMPOSIUM NORTH AMERICA 2 33000 WIRE TRANSFER 1 0 1 1 1 0 PART I, LINE 2: THE AQUARIUM REQUIRES POTENTIAL GRANT RECIPIENTS TO SUBMIT FORMAL APPLICATIONS WHICH ARE REVIEWED BY THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR CONSISTENCY WITH THE AQUARIUM'S MISSION AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE ANNUAL BUDGET. FURTHERMORE, THE AQUARIUM REQUIRES A WRITTEN REPORT FROM THE GRANTEE PROVIDING DETAIL ABOUT HOW FUNDS WERE USED TO ACCOMPLISH THE GRANT OBJECTIVES. REPORTS ARE REVIEWED BY THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR COMPLIANCE WITH GRANT CONDITIONS. PART I, LINE 3: THE ORGANIZATION USES THE ACCRUAL METHOD OF ACCOUNTING FOR EXPENDITURE REPORTING. PART II, LINE 1 ACCOUNTING METHOD: THE ORGANIZATION USES THE ACCRUAL METHOD OF ACCOUNTING FOR GRANT AND ASSISTANCE REPORTING. PART III ACCOUNTING METHOD: THE ORGANIZATION USES THE ACCRUAL METHOD OF ACCOUNTING FOR GRANT AND ASSISTANCE REPORTING. X X X X X X 1 SD&A TELESERVICES 5757 WEST CENTURY BLVD STE 300 LOS ANGELES CA 90045 TELEMARKETING 0 198695 33697 164998 FELDSTEINCO LLC 611 ROCKLAND RD STE 101 LAKE BLUFF IL 60044 CONSULTING/MARKETING 0 0 159340 -159340 198695 193037 5658 AL AK AR CA CO CT FL HI KS KY ME MD MA MI MN MS NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI IL 1 0 0 GRANTS - FOR TRAVEL TO CONFERENCES 7 19026 GRANTS - SPECIMEN COLLECTING 1 12000 SCHOLARSHIPS 8 103236 STIPENDS 101 33147 PART I, LINE 2: THE AQUARIUM REQUIRES POTENTIAL GRANT RECIPIENTS TO SUBMIT FORMAL APPLICATIONS WHICH ARE REVIEWED BY THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR CONSISTENCY WITH THE AQUARIUM'S MISSION AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE ANNUAL BUDGET. FURTHERMORE, THE AQUARIUM REQUIRES A WRITTEN REPORT FROM THE GRANTEE PROVIDING DETAIL ABOUT HOW FUNDS WERE USED TO ACCOMPLISH THE GRANT OBJECTIVES. REPORTS ARE REVIEWED BY THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR COMPLIANCE WITH GRANT CONDITIONS. X X X X 1 1 X X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 CHRISTINA FEKECI CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER 391001 0 28000 0 4463 0 35378 0 15225 0 474067 0 0 0 JULIE PACKARD VICE CHAIR & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 412989 0 1500 0 3126 0 37311 0 15720 0 470646 0 0 0 BRADLEY RUTHERFORD EXEC VP AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR 379589 0 3000 0 29632 0 20769 0 35846 0 468836 0 0 0 ANN MARIE NEMANICH CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 303571 0 3000 0 2412 0 27674 0 17433 0 354090 0 0 0 DANA ALLEN-GREIL CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER 269051 0 3000 0 576 0 25276 0 42281 0 340184 0 0 0 MARGARET SPRING CHIEF CONSERVATION & SCI OFFICER 260540 0 3000 0 2389 0 24445 0 31354 0 321728 0 0 0 JON HOECH VP OF ANIMAL CARE 225889 0 3000 0 2670 0 20852 0 25850 0 278261 0 0 0 JENNIFER DIANTO KEMMERLY VP OF GLOBAL OCEAN CONSERVATION 229388 0 3000 0 856 0 21169 0 18435 0 272848 0 0 0 MARIA HEMMESCH VP OF PEOPLE & CULTURE 195793 0 6000 0 1138 0 18694 0 40791 0 262416 0 0 0 PAULINE PARRISH CONTROLLER 212565 0 3000 0 2189 0 19379 0 16516 0 253649 0 0 0 SOO DEAN VP MEMBER & DONOR RELATIONS 185345 0 4000 0 558 0 17812 0 42589 0 250304 0 0 0 AIMEE DAVID VP US & CA OCEAN CONSERVATION 209239 0 3000 0 564 0 19182 0 16350 0 248335 0 0 0 MARY-BETH REDMOND-JONES VP OF EXHIBS/FACS (THRU 11/21/24) 214100 0 0 0 1295 0 19217 0 4005 0 238617 0 0 0 ANN DABOVICH VP OF GIFT PLANNING 198168 0 3000 0 4456 0 17789 0 15153 0 238566 0 0 0 FERNANDA SAMPAIO VP OF MARKETING 203423 0 3000 0 312 0 11632 0 14712 0 233079 0 0 0 NICOLE SANCHEZ CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER 150517 0 3000 0 319 0 0 0 17458 0 171294 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 1A ATTRACTION TICKETS AND GIFT CERTIFICATES WERE PROVIDED TO THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY, THE VP OF ANIMAL CARE, AND THE VP OF GIFT PLANNING. THE AQUARIUM GROSSES UP THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THESE ITEMS TO COVER THE EMPLOYEES' TAXES. SUCH ITEMS WERE TREATED AS TAXABLE INCOME ON THE EMPLOYEE'S FORM W-2 AND REPORTED AS COMPENSATION ON SCHEDULE J, PART II, COLUMN B (III) AND FORM 990, PART VII, SECTION A, COLUMN D. AS PART OF THE AQUARIUM'S WELLNESS PROGRAM, ALL EMPLOYEES (INCLUDING THE LISTED EMPLOYEES IN FORM 990, PART VII, SECTION A) ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A SUBSIDY FOR FITNESS CENTER DUES IF THE EMPLOYEE MEETS CERTAIN WELLNESS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. SINCE THIS TYPE OF SUBSIDY IS CONSIDERED A TAXABLE FRINGE BENEFIT, THE AQUARIUM GROSSES UP THESE SUBSIDIES TO COVER THE EMPLOYEE'S TAXES. SUCH PAYMENTS WERE TREATED AS TAXABLE INCOME ON THE EMPLOYEE'S W-2 AND REPORTED AS COMPENSATION ON SCHEDULE J, PART II, COLUMN B (III) AND FORM 990, PART VII, SECTION A, COLUMN D. THE EXECUTIVE VP AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR, RECEIVED TRAVEL FOR COMPANIONS AND A HOUSING ALLOWANCE IN 2024. THESE PAYMENTS WERE IN CONNECTION WITH HIS RECRUITMENT, OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT, AND RELOCATION TO MONTEREY. THESE AMOUNTS ARE TREATED AS TAXABLE COMPENSATION AND REPORTED ON SCHEDULE J, PART II, COLUMN B (III) AND FORM 990, PART VII, SECTION A, COLUMN D. PART I, LINE 7 CERTAIN OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES WERE AWARDED BONUSES AS PART OF AN ORGANIZATION BONUS BASED ON POSITIVE FINANCIAL RESULTS. THESE AMOUNTS ARE TREATED AS TAXABLE COMPENSATION AND REPORTED ON FORM 990, SCHEDULE J, PART II, COLUMN B (II) AND FORM 990, PART VII, SECTION A, COLUMN D. X 111 1209466 FMV X 3 18945 FMV X OTHER 1 480 FMV 0 0 1 0 PART I, COLUMN (B): SECURITIES - PUBLICLY TRADED SECURITIES - NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOOD INVENTORY - NUMBER OF ITEMS OTHER - NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTIONS FORM 990, PART I, LINE 6: HOURS AND VOLUNTEERS ARE TRACKED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S VOLUNTEERS ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT IN PEOPLE & CULTURE. THEY ARE TRACKED BY DEPARTMENT AND SPECIFIC PROGRAM. A TOTAL OF 135,350 VOLUNTEER HOURS WERE LOGGED IN 2024. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A: ANIMAL CARE AND AQUARIUM EXPERIENCE: MARINE LIFE EXHIBITION AND CARE EXPENSES OF $77,717,140 INCLUDE THE COST OF OPERATING AND MAINTAINING THE AQUARIUM'S LIVING EXHIBIT GALLERIES. WE CELEBRATED OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2024, ALLOWING US TO LOOK BACK ON FOUR DECADES OF INNOVATIVE EXHIBITS, AMAZING ANIMALS, AND INSPIRING OUR GUESTS OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS. SETTING THE BAR FOR AQUARIUM EXHIBITIONS: FROM THE ICONIC KELP FOREST TO THE MOST RECENT INTO THE DEEP/EN LO PROFUNDO, OUR EXHIBITS HAVE SHOWCASED SPECIES NEVER SEEN ELSEWHERE, INSPIRED THE PUBLIC TO TAKE CONSERVATION ACTION, AND SET THE HIGHEST BAR FOR EXHIBIT DESIGN. OUR EXHIBITIONS HAVE PUSHED THE BOUNDARIES OF TECHNOLOGY AND EXHIBITION STANDARDS FOR OURSELVES AND ACROSS THE INDUSTRY. THE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE WE'VE GAINED ARE THE FOUNDATION THAT WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO SURPRISE AND DELIGHT MILLIONS OF GUESTS IN THE YEARS TO COME. OVER THE YEARS, WE'VE INTRODUCED NEW ELEMENTS TO OUR PERMANENT GALLERIES, FROM CUSTOM-COMPOSED MUSIC TO INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT ELEMENTS, ONE-OF-A-KIND FILM AND VIDEO DISPLAYS, AND BILINGUAL LABELS-INNOVATIONS WE PIONEERED IN OUR SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS. AND OUR EXHIBITS HAVE SPARKED CONSERVATION ACTION, SUCH AS THE FISHING FOR SOLUTIONS EXHIBITION THAT BEGAN A MOVEMENT TO RAISE CONSUMER AWARENESS WORLDWIDE ABOUT THE RISKS OF OVERFISHING, THE WORK THAT BECAME OUR RESPECTED SEAFOOD WATCH PROGRAM. WE'VE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED SOME OF THE UNIQUE AND WONDERFUL ANIMALS WHOSE HABITATS ARE MOST AT RISK DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND OTHER HUMAN IMPACTS, SUCH AS SEAHORSES, TUNAS, AND SEA TURTLES. AMAZING ADVANCES IN JELLY CARE: DISPLAYING DEEP-SEA JELLIES IS POSSIBLE IN PART BECAUSE OF A ONE-OF-A-KIND LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM WE DESIGNED THAT ALLOWS US TO RECREATE SOME OF THE MORE CHALLENGING PARAMETERS OF THE DEEP-SEA ENVIRONMENT. IT'S A COMPLEX, INNOVATIVE SYSTEM THAT USES GEL MEMBRANES, COMPRESSED GAS, AND COUNTERCURRENT FLOW TO MAINTAIN REDUCED OXYGEN AND PH LEVELS. SIGNIFICANTLY, THE SYSTEM ALSO ENABLES US TO CUSTOMIZE THE EXHIBIT ENVIRONMENT TO SUIT THE VARIED NEEDS OF DIFFERENT SPECIES. INSPIRING OUR YOUNGEST VISITORS: NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF OUR GUESTS VISIT IN FAMILY GROUPS THAT INCLUDE CHILDREN. AS A LEADER IN CONSERVATION EDUCATION, THE AQUARIUM HAS A STRONG TRADITION OF EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS THAT ENGAGE YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. OUR GOAL IS TO FOSTER EMPATHY AND CARE IN YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE NATURAL WORLD AROUND THEM. IN 2024, WE WELCOMED 326,225 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13 TO THE AQUARIUM TO EXPLORE AND LEARN FROM OUR MARINE HABITATS. OUR EXHIBITS ARE INFORMAL SCIENCE-LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR YOUNG LEARNERS. WHEN OUR YOUNGEST VISITORS COME TO THE AQUARIUM, THEY CAN VIEW AND INTERACT WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF MARINE ANIMALS. THEY CAN OBSERVE HOW ANIMALS MOVE IN THEIR ENVIRONMENTS AND EXPLORE THOSE MOVEMENTS WITH THEIR OWN BODIES THROUGH PLAY, INSPIRING EMPATHY FOR OCEAN LIFE. BY ENCOURAGING THIS KIND OF EMPATHY FOR MARINE ANIMALS EARLY ON, WE AIM TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF OCEAN STEWARDS. UNDERWATER EXPLORERS TOPS 50,000 DIVES: PARTICIPANTS IN OUR UNDERWATER EXPLORERS PROGRAM SURFACE SCUBA DIVE IN THE AQUARIUM'S GREAT TIDEPOOL, ACCOMPANIED BY TRAINED DIVE INSTRUCTORS. SINCE THE PROGRAM'S INCEPTION OVER 20 YEARS AGO, UNDERWATER EXPLORERS HAS SERVED MORE THAN 50,000 KIDS. THIS INCLUDES WELL OVER 1,500 WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR DAYS OF DISCOVERY PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. IN 2024, WE WELCOMED 2,749 UNDERWATER EXPLORERS; 62 PARTICIPATED DURING TWO DAYS OF DISCOVERY EVENTS. MAKING THE AQUARIUM MORE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL: SINCE OUR FOUNDING, THE AQUARIUM HAS ENGAGED WITH OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS-INCLUDING EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND FREE SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAMS AND ONSITE EVENTS, AND REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AROUND OCEAN POLICY AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH-ALL IN SERVICE OF OUR OCEAN CONSERVATION MISSION. IN 2024, WE EMBRACED NEW WAYS TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORS, AND SHOW UP FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THE MOST IMMEDIATE RESULT WAS OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE NATIONAL MUSEUMS FOR ALL PROGRAM, THROUGH WHICH WE PROVIDE FREE AQUARIUM ADMISSION TO PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE FEDERAL FOOD ASSISTANCE AND UP TO THREE OF THEIR GUESTS. NEARLY 200,000 PEOPLE VISITED THE AQUARIUM THROUGH MUSEUMS FOR ALL FROM THE MAY 2024 LAUNCH THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. IN HONOR OF OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY, WE EXTENDED COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO VISIT THE AQUARIUM. IN TOTAL, 35,000 LOCAL PEOPLE VISITED FOR FREE DURING OCTOBER 2024. MOVING FORWARD, WE'LL CONTINUE TO REFINE AND EXPAND OUR OTHER COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAMS. THIS INCLUDES OUR COMMUNITY GROUP VISITS PROGRAM, PROVIDING COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION TO ELIGIBLE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FOR VISITS WITH THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B: EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EXPENSES OF $8,734,219 INCLUDE THE COST OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND EMERGING TEEN LEADERS. OUR COMMITMENT TO OFFERING FREE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, WHICH DATES BACK TO OUR FOUNDING, IS STRONGER THAN EVER. THROUGHOUT 2024, OUR EDUCATION TEAM CONTINUED TO BUILD UP OUR MANY PROGRAMS FOR TEENS, TEACHERS, AND SCHOOLCHILDREN SO WE CAN FULFILL THE FULL POTENTIAL OF OUR BECHTEL FAMILY CENTER FOR OCEAN EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP. FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND, OUR PROGRAMS BUILD EMPATHY, TEACH ABOUT THE WONDERS OF THE OCEAN, AND BUILD PARTICIPANTS' CONFIDENCE TO ACT. FREE FIELD TRIPS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN: OUR BOARD HAD A VISION: WE WOULD PROVIDE FREE SCHOOL VISITS TO THE AQUARIUM TO ENSURE FUTURE GENERATIONS ARE SCIENCE AND OCEAN LITERATE. OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS, WE'VE WELCOMED MORE THAN 2.7 MILLION SCHOOLCHILDREN FOR AN EDUCATIONAL VISIT. DURING SCHOOL TRIPS, STUDENTS FROM PRE-K THROUGH COLLEGE AND THEIR TEACHERS LEARN ABOUT OCEAN ANIMALS AND ECOSYSTEMS AS THEY EXPLORE THE AQUARIUM GALLERIES OR PARTICIPATE IN A HANDS-ON OCEAN CONNECTION LAB. SOME JOIN US ONLINE FOR VIRTUAL TIDE TALKS. IN THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR, 37,146 SCHOOL CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN FIELD TRIPS AND HANDS-ON PROGRAMS IN OUR LEARNING LABS. CURRENTLY, 40,000 STUDENTS VISIT EACH YEAR FOR FREE. WE'RE WORKING TO GROW THAT NUMBER BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS, WITH A PARTICULAR GOAL TO BETTER SERVE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM OUR LOCAL COASTAL COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WHO ARE MOST IMPACTED BY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. WE'RE ALSO EXPANDING OUR OUTREACH TO YOUTH BY WORKING WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND LIBRARIES-TO CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO VISIT. IN ADDITION, WE'RE COLLABORATING WITH THESE PARTNERS TO DESIGN PROGRAMMING TO BE OFFERED AT COMMUNITY SITES. WE'RE HEARING INCREASINGLY MORE STORIES FROM CLASSROOM AND INFORMAL EDUCATORS WHO VISITED THE AQUARIUM AS STUDENTS AND ARE NOW BRINGING THEIR OWN STUDENTS BACK FOR A FIELD TRIP-A TESTAMENT TO THE GENERATIONAL IMPACT THESE TRIPS HAVE HAD OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS. MOBILIZING EDUCATORS FOR CONSERVATION: OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATORS HAVE REACHED OVER 38,000 TEACHERS IN OUR FIRST FOUR DECADES. WE OFFER PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP TEACHERS GET THEIR STUDENTS EXCITED ABOUT LEARNING SCIENCE AND EXPLORING NATURE WHEREVER THEY LIVE. IN OCTOBER 2024, WE WELCOMED 80 CLASSROOM EDUCATORS TO THE KICKOFF OF ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS-THE CLIMATE ACTION PROJECTS SUMMIT, WHICH ENGAGES TEACHERS IN CLIMATE CHANGE LEARNING AND GIVES THEM THE TOOLS TO HELP THEIR STUDENTS INNOVATE MEANINGFUL CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE WELCOMED ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS TO THIS YEAR'S SUMMIT. BACK IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, TEACHERS SUPPORTED STUDENTS IN DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECTS. THE EDUCATORS RETURNED FOR A MID-YEAR CHECK-IN IN FEBRUARY 2025, AND STUDENTS PRESENTED THEIR PROJECTS AT A FINAL SYMPOSIUM IN MAY 2025. ENGAGING TEENS IN CONSERVATION LEARNING: STARTING WITH THE STUDENT OCEANOGRAPHY CLUB DECADES AGO, OUR PROGRAMS FOR TEENS HAVE GONE THROUGH MULTIPLE ITERATIONS AS WE'VE WORKED TO ADJUST CURRICULUM AND OFFERINGS TO THE DYNAMIC NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE. SERVING MORE THAN 6,000 PARTICIPANTS, YOUTH PROGRAMS ARE A LAUNCHING PAD FOR ACADEMIC AND CAREER CHOICES THAT HAVE LED MANY OF OUR ALUMNI TO BECOME CONSERVATION ADVOCATES, TEACHERS, AND EVEN AQUARIUM EMPLOYEES. CURRENTLY, WE OFFER TWO PROGRAMS FOR TEENS-OUR OCEAN LEARNING ADVENTURES CAMP FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND OUR TEEN CONSERVATION LEADERS PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. LAST SUMMER, OUR OCEAN LEARNING ADVENTURES CAMP ENGAGED 106 STUDENTS ACROSS FOUR WEEKS. THIS EXPERIENCE AIMS TO GET STUDENTS EXCITED ABOUT THEIR CONNECTION TO THE OCEAN, AND PARTICIPANTS TOOK PART IN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES DURING THE FIVE-DAY PROGRAM. IN 2024, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OUR SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAM, TEEN CONSERVATION LEADERS, CHOSE FROM THREE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES TO HONE THEIR SKILLS. IN TOTAL, WE WELCOMED 83 PARTICIPANTS TO THE SIX-WEEK EXPERIENCE. CELEBRATING OUR SHULTZ SCHOLARS: WE AWARDED OUR GEORGE P. SHULTZ FUTURE LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP TO A THIRD RECIPIENT IN 2024. THIS DONOR-ENDOWED PROGRAM SUPPORTS STUDENTS FROM NEARBY COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION FIELDS. THE SCHOLARSHIP HONORS THE MEMORY OF GEORGE P. SHULTZ, WHO CHAIRED THE AQUARIUM'S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, SERVED ON OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND ENJOYED A LONG CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE. EACH SHULTZ SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDES FULL TUITION, ROOM AND BOARD, AND ALL OTHER EXPENSES TO ATTEND CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, MONTEREY BAY. IT ALSO INCLUDES FOUR YEARS OF MENTORSHIP FROM AQUARIUM STAFF. OUR MOST RECENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT PLANS TO STUDY MATHEMATICS AND ASPIRES TO BE A MATH PROFESSOR. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C: CONSERVATION AND SCIENCE: CONSERVATION AND SCIENCE COSTS OF $14,047,417 REPRESENT EXPENSES FOR MARINE POLICY AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS, THE GLOBAL SEAFOOD WATCH PROGRAM, AND FIELD RESEARCH. IN CALIFORNIA, WE'RE CONTINUING OUR LEADING ROLE IN THE RESEARCH, RESCUE, AND RECOVERY OF SOUTHERN SEA OTTERS. AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS, WE'RE ADVANCING POLICIES TO PROTECT VULNERABLE COASTAL HABITATS, REDUCE PLASTIC POLLUTION, AND PROMOTE OCEAN-BASED CLIMATE SOLUTIONS. AROUND THE WORLD, WE'RE TRANSFORMING THE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY BY ENGAGING SEAFOOD PRODUCERS, BUSINESSES, AND GOVERNMENTS, INFORMING SEAFOOD PURCHASING STANDARDS, AND RATING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF FISHING AND AQUACULTURE PRACTICES. SUPPORTING SOUTHERN SEA OTTER RECOVERY: SINCE 1984, WE'VE BEEN WORKING TO ENSURE THE SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY OF THE THREATENED SOUTHERN SEA OTTER THROUGH RESEARCH, CONSERVATION, AND POLICY CHANGE. THIS YEAR, OUR SEA OTTER TEAM AUTHORED THREE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS IN HIGH-LEVEL JOURNALS ADDRESSING THE HISTORICAL CHANGES IN KELP ABUNDANCE AND SEA OTTERS IN CALIFORNIA, THE BIOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF TOOL USE BY SEA OTTERS, AND THE FORAGING ECOLOGY OF SEA OTTERS AT THE NORTHERN END OF THEIR RANGE. THIS RESEARCH IS CRITICAL TO HELPING SCIENTISTS AND RESOURCE MANAGERS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF SOUTHERN SEA OTTER RECOVERY. WE ALSO EXPANDED OUR CAPACITY TO HOUSE OTTERS IN NEED OF CARE BY COMPLETING OUR NEW SEA OTTER CONSERVATION CENTER. THIS FACILITY WILL SUPPORT OUR RESCUE AND REHABILITATION WORK BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SPACES WHERE INJURED AND ILL SEA OTTERS CAN HEAL AND STRANDED PUPS CAN LEARN THE SURVIVAL SKILLS THEY NEED TO RETURN TO THE WILD. THE CENTER WILL SUPPORT OUR SEA OTTER SURROGACY PROGRAM, WHERE WE PAIR RESCUED, STRANDED PUPS WITH NON-RELEASABLE FEMALE SEA OTTERS IN OUR CARE. WHEN THEY'RE NOT DELIGHTING OUR GUESTS, OUR EXHIBIT OTTERS HELP RAISE THE PUPS AND TEACH THEM TO GROOM AND FORAGE. NEW RESEARCH TO INFORM KELP FOREST RECOVERY: KELP FORESTS ARE AN ICONIC AND ESSENTIAL CALIFORNIA ECOSYSTEM-SUPPORTING A HOST OF SPECIES. WHEN WE OPENED IN 1984, WE MADE IT A PRIORITY TO SHOWCASE THE TOWERING UNDERWATER WONDERS OF KELP FORESTS, WHICH MOST PEOPLE WOULD NOT OTHERWISE SEE, IN OUR TWO-STORY KELP FOREST EXHIBIT. BUT WILD KELP FORESTS ARE IN TROUBLE. FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS, WEST COAST KELP FORESTS HAVE SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC DECLINES DUE TO WARMING WATERS AND THE LOSS OF SEA STARS AND OTHER SPECIES THAT KEEP THE ECOSYSTEM IN BALANCE. WE MUST LEARN MORE, AND QUICKLY, ABOUT HOW KELP FORESTS FUNCTION AND WHAT MAKES THEM RESILIENT. AQUARIUM SCIENTISTS ARE CONDUCTING ESSENTIAL RESEARCH TO BETTER UNDERSTAND KELP FOREST ECOSYSTEMS AND THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE. IN 2024 OUR SCIENCE TEAM CONDUCTED UNDERWATER RESEARCH IN MONTEREY BAY, SURVEYING SITES WITH KELP FORESTS IN VARYING CONDITIONS-SOME THAT PERSISTED THROUGH MARINE HEATWAVES, SOME THAT DECLINED BUT HAVE STARTED RECOVERING, AND OTHERS ESSENTIALLY DEVOID OF KELP AND DOMINATED BY URCHINS ON BARE ROCK (CALLED "URCHIN BARRENS"). RESEARCHERS COLLECTED DATA TO ASSESS THE DENSITY OF KELP, AND THE MOVEMENT, HEALTH, AND DENSITY OF INVERTEBRATES AND ALGAE ON REEFS IN EACH OF THESE HABITATS. THEY AIM TO DETERMINE WHAT FACTORS SUPPORT RECOVERING AND THRIVING KELP FORESTS. BLUEFIN TUNA: OLYMPIC ATHLETES OF THE OCEAN: BLUEFIN TUNA ARE AMAZING FISH THAT TRAVEL THOUSANDS OF MILES AT TOP SPEED AND MAINTAIN A BODY TEMPERATURE WARMER THAN THE SURROUNDING OCEAN. THEY ARE ALSO AMONG THE MOST DESIRED (AND ECONOMICALLY VALUABLE) FISH IN THE SEA. WITH TOO FEW RULES IN PLACE TO PREVENT OVERFISHING, ONCE-ABUNDANT PACIFIC BLUEFIN TUNA WERE HUNTED UNTIL JUST 2 PERCENT OF THEIR HISTORICAL POPULATION REMAINED. OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS, THE AQUARIUM HAS PLAYED A CENTRAL ROLE IN BRINGING THEM BACK. THERE'S STILL WORK TO DO, BUT THE PROSPECTS FOR THESE ICONIC FISH ARE MUCH BRIGHTER. THANKS TO INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION INFORMED BY SOLID SCIENCE, THE AQUARIUM'S MULTI-FACETED AND DECADES-LONG APPROACH TO TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF OVERFISHING PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THEIR COMEBACK. IN OCTOBER 2024, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, OUR SEAFOOD WATCH PROGRAM MOVED SOME PACIFIC BLUEFIN TUNA FISHERIES OUT OF THE RED AS A SPECIES TO AVOID, PUTTING THEM BACK ON THE MENU FOR SEAFOOD LOVERS. THERE ARE STILL REASONS TO BE CAUTIOUS, BUT THIS IS REAL PROGRESS. OUR WORK TO RECOVER BLUEFIN TUNA HAS RANGED FROM INSPIRING MILLIONS OF GUESTS WITH EXHIBITS OF BLUEFIN AND YELLOWFIN TUNA, BOLSTERING THE SCIENCE BY TAGGING AND TRACKING TUNAS IN THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC, AND HIGHLIGHTING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS THROUGH SCIENCE-BASED SEAFOOD WATCH RATINGS THAT EVALUATE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF GLOBAL FISHERIES. AQUARIUM POLICY STAFF TOOK ON OFFICIAL ADVISORY ROLES WITH U.S. GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES MANAGEMENT BODIES, COORDINATED WITH OTHER NGOS, AND WORKED DIRECTLY WITH OTHER NATIONAL DELEGATIONS. CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF OUR SEAFOOD WATCH PROGRAM: IN 1997, WE OPENED A NEW EXHIBIT: FISHING FOR SOLUTIONS: WHAT'S THE CATCH? THE GOAL WAS TO INTRODUCE VISITORS TO THE INS AND OUTS OF COMMERCIAL FISHING AND AQUACULTURE WHILE EXPLORING SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS SUCH AS OVERFISHING, BYCATCH, AND COASTAL HABITAT DESTRUCTION. WE ALSO PLACED TENT CARDS ON OUR CAFE TABLES TO HIGHLIGHT THE SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD THAT WE WERE SERVING. THESE CARDS PROVED IMMENSELY POPULAR-VISITORS TOOK THEM HOME AND WE RECEIVED A STEADY STREAM OF CORRESPONDENCE ASKING WHICH SEAFOOD ITEMS TO BUY OR AVOID. THE PUBLIC DEMAND FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD WAS CLEAR. IN RESPONSE, WE LAUNCHED OUR SEAFOOD WATCH PROGRAM IN OCTOBER 1999, TO HELP CONSUMERS CHOOSE SEAFOOD FROM WELL-MANAGED FISHERIES AND FARMS. THE FISHING FOR SOLUTIONS EXHIBIT WAS TEMPORARY-BUT ITS LEGACY LIVES ON IN WAYS WE COULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED. TODAY, WE ARE THE MOST RECOGNIZED SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD RATINGS PROGRAM IN THE U.S. THIS COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO OUR FIRM FOUNDATION IN SCIENCE AND POLICY. SINCE THE EARLY DAYS OF SEAFOOD WATCH, OUR SCIENTISTS HAVE ASSESSED THE TOP FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SPECIES IN THE U.S. MARKET AGAINST OUR SCIENCE-BASED STANDARDS FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE. THESE SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENTS ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR WORK, ENABLING US TO INFORM THOUSANDS OF BUSINESSES AND MILLIONS OF CONSUMERS WHO ARE DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY IN THE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY THROUGH THEIR VOICES AND WALLETS. IN 2017, WE EXPANDED OUR SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD WORK TO A GLOBAL SCALE. TODAY, OUR GLOBAL CONSERVATION TEAM IS ENGAGED IN A NUMBER OF SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD PROJECTS AROUND THE WORLD. WE ARE WORKING TO REDUCE ANTIBIOTICS ON CHILEAN SALMON FARMS, TO IMPROVE SHRIMP AQUACULTURE PRACTICES AMONG SMALL-SCALE SHRIMP FARMERS IN ASIA, AND WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES TO HELP MAKE ITS BLUE SWIMMING CRAB FISHERY ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE. WHEN WE STARTED, WE EVALUATED THE SUSTAINABILITY OF SEAFOOD SOLELY ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THAT FOOD. MORE RECENTLY, WE INCORPORATED SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY INTO OUR WORK BECAUSE EQUITY AND BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS FOR SEAFOOD WORKERS ARE ALSO A VITAL COMPONENT OF SUSTAINABILITY. THERE'S STILL A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTALLY RED-RATED SEAFOOD OUT THERE-WHICH IS WHY OUR WORK IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER. BUT WE'VE SEEN GREAT SUCCESSES OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS. FOR EXAMPLE, OUR WORK HAS HELPED CATALYZE THE UPTAKE OF IMPROVED FISHING GEAR TO REDUCE BYCATCH SUCH AS TURTLE EXCLUDER DEVICES IN SHRIMP TRAWLING, MORE SELECTIVE BUOY GEAR IN SWORDFISH FISHERIES, AND ROPELESS TRAP GEAR TO REDUCE MAMMAL AND TURTLE ENTANGLEMENTS FROM VERTICAL FISHING LINES. WE'RE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING OUR WORK TO ADVOCATE FOR SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD-AND TO SEE MORE SUCCESSES IN THE YEARS TO COME. ACTING TO REDUCE PLASTIC POLLUTION: AS A RESULT OF CAMPAIGNS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND SPUR ACTION, THE HAZARDS OF PLASTIC POLLUTION ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY WELL-KNOWN AND THERE IS CONSIDERABLE MOMENTUM FOR CHANGE. WE'RE TACKLING THE PLASTIC PROBLEM IN MANY WAYS. WE ADVOCATE FOR LOCAL-TO-GLOBAL POLICIES THAT REDUCE THE FLOW OF PLASTIC FROM LAND TO SEA, CONTRIBUTE TO STUDIES ON HOW PLASTIC POLLUTION AFFECTS THE OCEAN AND OUR COMMUNITIES, AND MOBILIZE PEOPLE TO TAKE ACTION TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE. CHIEF CONSERVATION AND SCIENCE OFFICER MARGARET SPRING IS A LEADING VOICE ADVOCATING FOR EFFECTIVE SCIENCE-BASED ACTION ON PLASTIC POLLUTION, INCLUDING BY PARTICIPATING IN THE UN GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY NEGOTIATIONS. REPRESENTING THE AQUARIUM AS WELL AS THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE COUNCIL, MARGARET JOINED DELEGATES FROM OVER 150 COUNTRIES, AND SCIENTISTS AND PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS TO ADVOCATE FOR GLOBAL PLASTIC REDUCTION AT TREATY NEGOTIATION MEETINGS IN 2024. WITH LEGAL EXPERTS AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW INSTITUTE, WE CO-AUTHORED A REPORT ABOUT WAYS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT COULD ADVANCE NATIONAL ACTION TO CURB PLASTIC POLLUTION. FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF THIS REPORT THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION PUBLISHED A FIRST-EVER WHITE HOUSE-LEVEL STRATEGY AND ROADMAP FOR ENDING PLASTIC POLLUTION. DESPITE THE CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIONS, WE WILL BE WORKING HARD IN THE COMING YEARS TO KEEP FROM BACKSLIDING ON THIS IMPORTANT COMMITMENT. IN CALIFORNIA, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS MAKING THEIR WAY BACK INTO STORES DESPITE LEGISLATIVE BANS. WE WORKED HARD IN 2024 ON A CLARIFYING BILL TO PUT AN END TO THEM (AGAIN). ON AUGUST 31, THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED SENATE BILL 1053, TO ENSURE THAT ONLY PAPER BAGS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT GROCERY CHECKOUTS. JULIE PACKARD HONORED FOR DECADES OF WORK: THE AQUARIUM HAS ACCOMPLISHED MUCH IN 40 YEARS: ADVANCING RECOVERY OF SOUTHERN SEA OTTERS, SHIFTING GLOBAL SEAFOOD PRODUCTION TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY, ENGAGING AND INSPIRING MORE THAN 2.7 MILLION STUDENTS, AND CONNECTING TENS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WITH OCEAN LIFE. IT'S TAKEN A TALENTED TEAM TO ACHIEVE ALL THIS-AND JULIE PACKARD HAS BEEN THE GUIDING FORCE BEHIND OUR WORK SINCE WE OPENED. DURING OUR ANNIVERSARY YEAR, SHE RECEIVED THREE SIGNIFICANT HONORS REFLECTING ALL THAT THE AQUARIUM TEAM HAS ACCOMPLISHED. IN APRIL 2024, JULIE RECEIVED THE ROBERT R. HERMANN WORLD ECOLOGY AWARD FROM THE WHITNEY R. HARRIS WORLD ECOLOGY CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ST. LOUIS. SHE JOINED PREVIOUS HONOREES, INCLUDING JANE GOODALL, JACQUES COUSTEAU, E.O. WILSON, SYLVIA EARLE, AND HARRISON FORD. IN NOVEMBER 2024, SHE WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE ARTHUR C. CLARKE FOUNDATION WITH ITS INNOVATOR AWARD FOR HER GLOBAL LEADERSHIP IN OCEAN CONSERVATION AND PROMOTING OCEAN SCIENCE AND EDUCATION. AND IN JANUARY 2025, JULIE WAS NAMED A FINALIST FOR THE 2025 INDIANAPOLIS PRIZE, CONSIDERED THE "NOBEL PRIZE OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION." SHE WAS HERALDED FOR LEADING THE CHARGE FOR THE SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD MOVEMENT. HER NOMINATION IS IN RECOGNITION OF THE AQUARIUM'S GLOBAL SEAFOOD PROGRAM THAT IS GROUNDED IN ECOSYSTEM-BASED SCIENCE AND A MARKET-BASED APPROACH. AND IT CALLS OUT HER ROLE AS A LEADING VOICE FOR POLICY REFORM IN SUPPORT OF A HEALTHY OCEAN. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 JULIE PACKARD, CHRIS SCHOLIN, BARBARA WRIGHT, AND LISA WHITE HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. JULIE PACKARD AND LOUISE STEPHENS HAVE A FAMILY RELATIONSHIP AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. MICHAEL MANTELL AND MARK WAN HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. GREG SILVERMAN AND GIDEON YU HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. JULIE PACKARD AND SUSAN ORR HAVE A FAMILY RELATIONSHIP AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE AQUARIUM'S CONTROLLER PROVIDES ALL INFORMATION NEEDED FOR THE FORM 990 TO HOOD & STRONG LLP BASED ON AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. HOOD & STRONG PREPARES AND REVIEWS THE FORM 990 AND PROVIDES A DRAFT WHICH IS REVIEWED BY THE CONTROLLER, CFO, SECRETARY AND LEGAL COUNSEL, AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH REVISIONS INCORPORATED AS NEEDED. UPON ACCEPTANCE OF THE FINAL VERSION, THE 990 IS SHARED FIRST WITH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE FOR ITS REVIEW AND THEN DISTRIBUTED TO THE FULL BOARD PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE ASSURES THAT ALL DISCLOSURE FORMS (AND MITIGATION PLANS, IF APPLICABLE) HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM ALL TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS BY JANUARY 31 OF EACH YEAR, PREPARES A SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURES, AND FORWARDS THE COMPLETED FORMS AND THE SUMMARY TO THE AQUARIUM'S CONFLICTS REVIEW PANEL, CONSISTING OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEGAL COUNSEL, CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER, AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO). TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE AQUARIUM'S COI POLICY IN CONJUNCTION WITH PROVIDING THE ANNUAL DISCLOSURES. FOLLOWING REVIEW BY THE PANEL, THE PANEL'S FINDINGS AND THE DISCLOSURES ARE PROVIDED TO THE BOARD'S AUDIT COMMITTEE, WHICH REVIEWS THE DISCLOSURES AND MAKES A REPORT TO THE BOARD AT ITS MARCH MEETING. BOTH THE PANEL AND THE AUDIT COMMITTEE ANNUALLY EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROCESS. THE CFO AND CONTROLLER ASSURE APPROPRIATE REPORTING TO THE EXTERNAL AUDITORS AND TAX PREPARER. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS HAVE A CONTINUING DUTY TO MAKE ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IF WARRANTED. EMPLOYEE CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT POLICY - THE CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER FORWARDS THE CODE, WHICH INCLUDES A SECTION ON CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, TO ALL MANAGERS IN EARLY JANUARY EACH YEAR, AND ASSURES THAT EACH MANAGER RESPONDS THAT THEY HAVE READ IT AND ARE IN COMPLIANCE BY JANUARY 31. MANAGERS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ANY INTERESTS WHICH COULD GIVE RISE TO CONFLICT, AND TO ASSURE THAT ANY STAFF IN THEIR AREAS WITH INTERESTS WHICH COULD GIVE RISE TO CONFLICT HAS DONE THE SAME. DISCLOSURES (AND MITIGATION PLANS, IF APPLICABLE) ARE REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHIEF PEOPLE AND CULTURE OFFICER AND CFO BY MARCH. THIS TEAM ALSO EVALUATES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROCESS. THE CFO ASSURES APPROPRIATE REPORTING TO THE EXTERNAL AUDITORS AND TAX PREPARER. EMPLOYEES HAVE A CONTINUING DUTY TO MAKE ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IF WARRANTED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MAINTAINS A PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROCESS FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, REFERRED TO AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD. THE BOARD'S COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, COMPRISED OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES, REVIEWS THE CEO'S PERFORMANCE WITH INPUT FROM OTHER BOARD MEMBERS, AND RECOMMENDS THE COMPENSATION OF THE CEO TO THE BOARD. THE COMMITTEE OBTAINS AND REVIEWS MARKET SURVEY DATA FROM SEVERAL INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATIONS CONTAINING DATA FOR COMPARABLE POSITIONS AT COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS. THE COMMITTEE PROVIDES THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND COMPARABLE SALARY INFORMATION TO THE BOARD AND RECOMMENDS THE CEO'S COMPENSATION. BASED UPON THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND COMPARABLE SALARY INFORMATION, THE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD DETERMINE THAT THE COMPENSATION IS FAIR, JUST AND REASONABLE AND THEN APPROVE TOTAL COMPENSATION FOR THE CEO. THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL IS CONTEMPORANEOUSLY DOCUMENTED IN THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES PERIODICALLY OBTAINS A MARKET SURVEY FROM AN INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT AND REVIEWS DATA FROM SEVERAL INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATIONS FOR COMPARABLE POSITIONS AT COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS. THE COMMITTEE APPROVES THE TOTAL COMPENSATION STRATEGY FOR THE AQUARIUM, CONSISTENT WITH ITS MISSION AND VALUES. THE BOARD DELEGATED TO THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE THE APPROVAL OF COMPENSATION FOR THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, WHO IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE BOARD. THE COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, AND BASED UPON THE PERFORMANCE AND COMPARABLE SALARY INFORMATION, THE COMMITTEE DETERMINES THAT THE COMPENSATION IS FAIR, JUST AND REASONABLE, AND APPROVES COMPENSATION FOR THE CFO. THE COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE PROPOSED COMPENSATION OF ANY OTHER OFFICER OR SENIOR STAFF REPORTING TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO, OR WHO IS HIGHLY COMPENSATED AS SPECIFICALLY REPORTED ON THE FORM 990. THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL ARE CONTEMPORANEOUSLY DOCUMENTED IN THE MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE MEETING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY AND GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS. COPIES OF AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE TAX FORM 990 ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: CHANGE IN INTEREST IN CHARITABLE TRUSTS 324,330. CHANGE IN ALLOWANCE FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE PLEDGES -62,165. CHARITABLE LEAD ANNUITY TRUST (1) INVESTMENTS CA MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM FOUNDATION T 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 CHARITABLE LEAD ANNUITY TRUST S 1500000 FMV