The story of Monterey Bay is a story of the ocean, its mysteries, its rich life forms, and the efforts we have put forward to preserve it. Later this summer, PBS and BBC will do something unprecedented in helping to tell our story: in conjunction with Monterey Bay Aquarium, they will present #Big Blue Live. The producers refer to our conservation efforts as “one of the greatest wildlife conservation success stories on the planet.”
The story will be documented by the many scientists, filmmakers, photographers, animal behaviorists, and others who will be meeting here for two weeks in late August and early September. They will be here to discuss the thriving, populated and healthy ecosystem that comprises the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This area, once endangered, has undergone an amazing transformation over the years due in part to our interest, generous support, and efforts. This summer story is about the mammoth and diverse sea life that comes to Monterey Bay from all over the Pacific.
The show will feature live feeds from ocean view decks, and from out on the bay. You’ll see blue and humpback whales, sea otters, dolphins, sea lions, seabirds, and views of underwater kelp forests. PBS will air this “live television and multimedia event” over three nights: August 31 through September 2, from 8 – 9 p.m. ET. There will be a live West Coast feed for us from 8 – 9 p.m. PT.
Senior scientist at Conservation International, and host of EARTH: A New Wild on PBS, Dr. M. Sanjayan will be but one of the on-air correspondents for this amazing project. Joined by Liz Bonnin, a science broadcast journalist in the UK, Dr. Joy Reidenberg, host of SEX IN THE WILD and a comparative anatomist, and many other distinguished persons, you will be privy not only to a front row seat of and in our wonderful ocean, but also by expert opinion and insights.
To find out more about this once a year confluence of so many diverse and amazing creatures, please visit Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Web page on BIG BLUE LIVE, or PBS’ extensive press release on the same.
You have helped make possible the fantastic and unrestricted nature of our piece of the ocean.