Monterey Bay Aquarium director Julie Packard resigns

Julie Packard, a marine biologist who has led the Monterey Bay Aquarium since it opened in 1984 and led it through the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Wednesday her retirement as executive director. Ms. Packard was instrumental in repurposing the old, thick glass fish museum as a powerful force in marine conservation efforts.

The aquarium, built by her parents, David and Lucille Packard of technology giant Hewlett-Packard with a $55 million donation, welcomes tens of millions of visitors. Visitors to the Northern California facility experienced a number of world firsts, including the successful exhibit and release of a great white shark. Returning orphaned southern sea otter cubs to the wild. and a large-scale exhibit of creatures such as salmon snails and vampire squids found in areas without sunlight, known as the midnight zone.

At a time when rising ocean temperatures are changing water chemistry, altering fish migration patterns, and making marine life more susceptible to overfishing, Packard's staff is working to reduce plastic pollution and improve environmental protection. Demonstrated how to restore ocean health by raising awareness of sustainable seafood. . The Aquarium's partner organization, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, has developed and deployed a robotic submersible that will transform the way scientists explore the ocean.

A tall, graceful, effortlessly elegant woman, Ms. Packard wears her scholarship with ease and has run the aquarium in a modest, down-to-earth manner. “Like my father,” she said. This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Why retire now?

Well, I'm not exactly retiring. I plan to transition into a leadership role on the Board of Trustees. I decided now was the perfect time to hand over the reins to the next generation of leaders. We have a great team and are in a very good financial position.

What do you think you will miss the most?

Daily interactions with scientists. Fortunately, as a board member, I often run into people in the hallways who have just discovered new ways to breed animals that no one has ever seen before. I love collaborating with passionate people who are truly passionate about what they do as much as I love seeing a child's eyes light up at the sight of a giant sea bass or a bloody kushi jelly. is. Both give me great joy.

The free admission program to school groups attracted millions of students. Are many of the children you meet disappointed to learn that sponges don't wear white shirts, red ties, and square brown pants?

Spongebob! My own children were of the “Little Mermaid” generation, so I can't say I know the message behind him. But I think he's a cool guy.

He lives in a pineapple under the sea.

Well, scientifically, that's problematic. That won't happen.