The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), a Clearwater staple since the facilities opened in the 1980’s, has seen a recent expansion in their activities. In the past year, the aquarium has released nine rehabilitated sea turtles, experienced a 31% attendance growth, and the phenomenon of Winter the Dolphin has exposed the CMA (and beautiful Clearwater) to millions of children all over the country. However, according to the CMA website, “in spite of tremendous growth and a global presence, we also remain a ‘neighborhood’ aquarium.”
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) give away a free Valentine’s Day wedding package to one lucky couple with their “2nd Annual Wedding of a Lifetime Contest.” The winners will be able to get married on a platform over the main dolphin pool on the most romantic day of the year of 2010. Resident CMA dolphins Nicholas and Winter will assist in the nuptials.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium will help release a rehabilitated dolphin “Dunham” on Monday, July 27th.
Staff from the CMA and Gulf World Marine Park and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute plan to release rehabilitated Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, Dunham. CMA staff rescued Dunham from Anclote Key Island in December 2008. CMA staff will monitor Dunham’s progress through the use of a VHF transmitter for two months after the release. This will help provide researchers with important information about his progress and travels.