Get your fill of fun at the Aquarium over the Thanksgiving holidays. The Aquarium is closed only on Thanksgiving Day itself. You can gobble up a variety of hands-on special activities and free programs throughout the rest of the week.

* Tantalize your taste buds while the Crab’s Claw chef shares the secret to a great fish dish in Succulent Seafood, on Monday starting at 2 p.m.
* See the hidden side of Aquarium life in a thorough behind-the-scenes tour on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
* Feast with the fishes and other creatures in Dinner with the Critters on Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
* Spend Sunday afternoon aiding in animal care during the Aquarist Apprentice program from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Or, take a peek behind-the-scenes from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

These activities require additional fees and advance registration. (more…)

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is looking for volunteers who want to immerse themselves in their work. The Aquarium’s volunteer dive team is recruiting new members for 2010. The deadline to apply is Nov. 30.

The program offers certified SCUBA divers a unique and rewarding underwater experience. Volunteer divers inside the 306,000-gallon Living Shipwreck converse with visitors about the many animals gliding around a replica of the U-352, a famous World War II shipwreck. Volunteer divers also assist with other programs underwater, as well as help care for animals and maintain exhibits.

Divers selected during the fall recruiting drive start their duties in January. In addition to SCUBA certification, divers must be at least 18 years old, be in good health and be willing to make time and training commitments. See the Pine Knoll Shores Volunteer page for application forms and more information on the program and requirements.

Let the North Carolina Aquarium’s Succulent Seafood series help you jazz up your holiday feast with a tasty dish of local fish.

The course takes you to the area’s top restaurants, where master chefs demonstrate their own favorite culinary creations with local fish, shellfish and crustaceans. Future sessions include:

Nov. 23 (Monday) - Crab’s Claw, Atlantic Beach
Dec. 1 (Tuesday) - Riverside Steakhouse, Swansboro
Dec. 7 (Monday) - Crab’s Claw, Atlantic Beach (more…)

A bouquet of coastal plant portraiture blooms in a winter photo exhibit at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. “Wild Portraits - Local Flora of Back Roads and Beaches” is on exhibit through the end of January. The exhibit is free with admission or membership.

The works of Down East nature photographer and artist Susan Mason bring out the beauty of sedge, pitcher plants, blanket flowers and other local plants, grasses and flowers that often blend into an unnoticed roadside blur.

“I would be pleased if people look at my images and think, ‘Wow, look at that. I never noticed that before,’” she said. “Even the smallest, most insignificant little plant has wonderful design and great beauty.” (more…)

Do a good deed and get a good deal at the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores on Saturday, Dec. 12. Donate a can of corn, a jar of peanut butter or another pantry staple to visit the Aquarium for free, and snag some face time with St. Nick in the bargain.

One non-perishable food item per person will be accepted in lieu of admission throughout the day. Regular admission fees apply to visitors not donating food. Each year, the Aquarium collects food to help stock the shelves at Martha’s Mission Cupboard of Morehead City. The charitable organization distributes the supplies to those in need.

Santa takes requests thoughout the day at various times. Foto FX is available for souvenir photos. The Aquarium and the Gift Shop are open  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as usual.

Click the photo to see how much solar energy these panels are capturing.

The Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is on the beam when it comes to energy conservation.

Solar panels near the Aquarium entrance silently harness the power of the sun. The residential-scale panels meet a small percentage of the facility’s power needs with an environmentally friendly energy source. The panels, placed at the front of the building so visitors can see them at close range, are also an educational exhibit.

“The system is a visible and functional representation of the Aquarium’s commitment to conservation and education,” said Pat McNeese, the Aquarium’s Conservation and Research Coordinator.

A live read-out on the amount of solar energy being collected can be viewed via the web-based Sunpower® monitor. The monitor also provides cumulative totals, and a scorecard of reduced emissions. (more…)

2nd place, 2008 Aquatic Life at the Aquariums, Karen Doody - koi at Pine Knoll Shores

If you like to take photos, picture this — your pastime could win you $500 in the 2009 North Carolina Aquariums’ Underwater Photo Contest. And you don’t even have to get wet. The Aquatic Life at the Aquariums category features photos of animals and exhibits at the three state Aquariums - at Fort Fisher, at Pine Knoll Shores and on Roanoke Island.

Divers can compete in two other categories, Underwater Animal Close-ups or Underwater Open, with photos taken in the waters off the coast of North Carolina or within the state’s freshwater systems.Photos must be submitted online at by midnight, Dec. 31, 2009. (more…)

Aquarium Director Jay Barnes, left, accepts Community Advocate award from Chamber President Mike Wagoner.

The Carteret County Chamber of Commerce honored the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores recently with a Community Advocate award.

The award, presented during the annual JobLink appreciation luncheon, singles out employers that “go the extra mile” to make Carteret County a better place, said Chamber President Mike Wagoner.

Wagoner said the county is fortunate to be a family-friendly tourist destination.

“The crown jewel, the place that really puts us on the map, is the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores,” he said.

Thousands of fins could use some helping hands. The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is recruiting volunteers to provide visitors with memorable experiences. Volunteers help visitors explore North Carolina’s waterways, provide children unforgettable touch tank experiences, assist with special events — and play a direct role in coastal conservation.

“Aquarium volunteers are conservation ambassadors who share our message of animal and habitat preservation,” said Volunteer Coordinator Chris Carlin. “Additional perks are the friendships made and the fellowship enjoyed. Volunteering at the Aquarium provides food for the brain and fun for the spirit.”

No prior experience is necessary. Anyone interested in aquatic habitats and animals is encouraged to apply. Volunteers are trained in environmental education and animal handling. Flexible schedules are available. Additional benefits include free Aquarium admission, discounts at the Aquarium Gift Shop and on special activities.  See the Volunteer page for more information and to download an application form, or contact Chris Carlin at 252-247-4003, ext. 286.

Tagged loggerhead released in Gulf Stream.

A young sea turtle the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores recently released is keeping in touch as it gets acquainted with its new home, the Atlantic Ocean.

Aquarium staff tagged the loggerhead with a transmitter that uses satellite technology similar to the Global Positioning System (GPS), to periodically pinpoint the turtle’s location. Staff and researchers can monitor turtle’s movements.

Thanks to the Internet, the public also can follow the turtle’s travels. “Its accessibility makes this program an extraordinary educational tool,” said Pat McNeese, the Aquarium’s Research and Conservation Coordinator.

The website, Seaturtle.org, provides a tracking center for  sea turtles and other marine animals from around the world, free of charge. The recently released turtle is listed by the name of “Chestnut” on the tracking site. (more…)