South Carolina Aquarium on Charleston Harbor: Conservation and Research ~ Research Initiatives

The South Carolina Aquarium is proud to have worked on research projects with many local federal and state agencies, local non-governmental organizations, and other research facilities including: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, United States Fish & Wildlife Service, University of South Carolina, College of Charleston, Medical University of South Carolina, University of South Carolina and Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens, American Zoo and Aquarium Association, Tennessee Aquarium and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Aquarium Volunteer Divers partner with the SCDNR to improve the understanding of fish populations associated with artificial reefs and natural hard bottom areas. They conduct regular dives to assess fish abundance and size. Learn more	Studies the occurrence of of the robust redhorse fish, a species that was lost to science for over 100 years. The Aquarium provides field assistance for sampling rivers within the state.	The project focuses on Oyster shell recycling and community based restoration to help increase oyster habitats. Aquarium staff and volunteers helped build a reef adjacent to the aquarium and continue to monitor its progress.	Established to educate the public on harmful algal blooms and expand the knowledge of phytoplankton that exist in South Carolina's marine waters. Volunteers take weekly samples looking for diatoms and dinoflagellates.

Active Projects

Freshwater mussel studies
Pit tag migration in sea turtles
Buoyancy problems in sea turtles
Dehabilitated sea turtle syndrome
Age and growth studies in elasmobranchs

Student Projects

Investigation of a flagellate in sea turtles
Patterns of antibiotic resistence in bacteria from marine turtles

Pink Meanie Jellyfish

Members of the South Carolina Aquarium have stumbled upon a rare jellyfish. Learn more about this new species and why it’s making waves in the marine world, then watch a video of this graceful guy in action.
Pink Meanie