Objectives
To teach the principles of aquarium husbandry and aquaculture and educate the general public on these practices.
Methodology
This internship will immerse the student in the practices of animal husbandry and exhibit care within a public aquarium setting. Interns will work side by side with our aquarist and education staff to perform such tasks as, daily animal health and equipment checks, food preparation and feeding, exhibit maintenance, equipment servicing and repair, and exhibit construction and plumbing. The training staff will emphasize the importance of time management and prioritizing the duties of each day, keeping in mind animal health, equipment protection, and display appearance.
Paramount to keeping fish healthy is maintaining good water quality. The intern will become proficient in routine aquarium water testing using a pH meter, spectrophotometer and colorimetric test kits. In addition to water testing, the intern will be responsible for helping with aquarium care to maximize water quality. These tasks include filter cleaning, water changes and gravel washing.
The staff at the Estuarium collects most of the animals on display at our facility. The intern will take part in collecting trips from shore, as well as on Dauphin Island Sea Lab vessels. Attentive care of newly collected animals is crucial to their survival. The intern will learn about animal behavior, disease diagnosis and appropriate medical intervention to maximize survival.
Aquarists at the Estuarium also play a role in educating the public. Most of the tanks are accessed from the exhibit hall floor rather than back-of-scene areas. Because of this, aquarists do much of their work, including cleaning tanks, collecting water samples, feeding, doing water changes and changing filters, in full view of the public. These activities are a matter of interest to visitors, so the aquarists frequently explain their work and answer questions. Because they are more visible than aquarists at many facilities, they are also called upon more often to answer more general questions about coastal animals, ecosystems or research. Interns will be taught how to perform these various duties, among others, and coached in public interaction.
Rationale
Working in a public aquarium setting provides opportunities to train students in the practical standards of animal care and display that relate directly to the increased understanding and technology that can be used in aquaculture. Using the standards of care will employ the methods and technology to ensure safe and sustainable seafood and related products.