The East End Seaport Museum showcases the 2nd largest Sea Life exhibit on Long Island’s East End with its new onsite 1000 gallon saltwater aquarium. The expertly curated collection of flora and fauna is taken directly from the Peconic Bay. Through the study of these living creatures visitors can understand the fragile ecosystem of the Peconic Estuary. The Aquarium rejuvenation was supported by Robert D.L. Gardiner Foundation, anonymous donors, and our generous community.
In June 2022, the Robert David Lion Gardener Foundation awarded the East End Seaport Museum and Marine Foundation a matching grant of $50,000 for the total replacement of our Sea Life Exhibit. The second largest Sea Life exhibit on Long Island’s East End, the newly installed 1,000-gallon saltwater aquarium hosts an expertly curated collection of flora and fauna sourced directly from the Peconic Bay. Through the study of these living organisms, students and visitors gain a deeper understanding of the fragile ecosystem of the Peconic Estuary.
Activities and Status: To bring the aquarium back to life, we had to entirely disassemble and rebuild it. The demolition of the prior aquarium began in March 2023 and was completed by April 1. During April 2023 we installed the new custom acrylic tank along with a skimmer to process fish waste, a submersible return pump, an outside-vented chiller, a custom 3 dimensional rock background, crushed coral substrate, ultraviolet sterilization, a reverse osmosis deionization system, a Neptune Apex monitoring and control center, and custom LED lighting. Ribbon cutting took place at the Museum Season Launch on May 26, 2023.
Aquarium sustained and disseminated: The new Sea Life Exhibit is sustained by voluntary membership dollars, partnerships, and donations. It and all our educational programs are disseminated through [Insert outreach methods such as school partnerships, digital media, community events].
Benefits to residents and visitors: The rejuvenated aquarium now serves as a valuable educational resource, providing:
Hands-on learning experiences for students from local school districts about East End marine biology.
An interactive exhibit for visitors to explore the biodiversity of the Peconic Estuary.
A platform for marine conservation awareness and ecological responsibility