Aquarium of the Pacific hopes deep-sea wonders attract tourists

A fish that emits its own light in the darkness of the sea, a creature that oozes slime to fend off predators and a chambered nautilus that can fill its shell with air to rise from the sea floor.

These are among the undersea wonders that the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach has put on display as part of its new $1-million deep sea exploration exhibit.

The new exhibit, which run through Feb. 1, 2014, includes a lecture series and live video and audio links with scientists exploring the depths of the ocean from ships around the globe.

Some elements of the new exhibit will remain at the aquarium for two years.

About 95% of the ocean remains to be explored, said deep-sea biologist Timothy Shank. “We still don’t know how much we don’t know,” he said.

The nonprofit aquarium draws about 1.5 million visitors a year, generating about $17 million in admission fees.

The aquarium has also expanded the size of its retail space, from 2,000 square feet to 5,300, to sell jewelry and souvenirs made by local artists. Retail sales generate about $4 million a year for the aquarium.

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