February 2012

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	Aimee Hayden-Roderiques, natural science educator and aquarium director at the Maine State Aquarium in West Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Lower priced custom souvenirs do well for the attraction’s shop.

By Donna Cavanagh
quariums not only want to thrill visitors with the wonders of the sea and rivers, but they want to educate them on the importance of conservation as well. One of the most important tools in driving home the message of conservation is the aquarium gift shop with its custom merchandise.

"Our gift shop reflects our mission," said Kathy Zagzebski, executive director of the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay, Mass., and co-buyer for the gift shop. "Through the merchandise in our store, we try to teach visitors about the environment and the importance of marine life in our own lives. The merchandise not only gives our visitors a remembrance of their day, but it is a permanent reminder of the National Marine Life Center's commitment to conservation and education."

Since the National Marine Life Center is located on Cape Cod, it is only open about four months of the year. An independent, non-profit rehabilitation and release hospital for sea turtles and seals, the National Marine Life Center uses all proceeds from the gift shop, which total approximately $15,000 per year, to support the facility's present and future programs, which include plans to treat dolphins, porpoises and small whales. More...