Tokyo Sea Life Park has various departments, including animal care and exhibition staff, and education and outreach staff.

As part of 　the commemorative projects for our 35th anniversary this year, we will be publishing a series of articles titled "The Dreams of Aquarium Leaders," in which leaders from each department will discuss themes such as "the ideal exhibit/aquarium" and "what they want to do and their dreams for their future work."

The 9th installment: "The Job of a 'Boatman' at an Aquarium - Let's Continue the Dream Together!"

What comes to mind when you think of working at an aquarium?

There are various jobs within the aquarium, including: the animal care and exhibit staff who recreate the animals' natural habitats; the education and outreach staff who plan guides, explanations, and events; the research staff who collect animals from all over the world; the guides who welcome and serve visitors; and the facilities staff who maintain the facilities and equipment that support the aquarium. The dreams of these leaders were introduced in previous columns.

Now, the "Management Section" to which I belong is the department responsible for the "management of the aquarium." When a senior staff member likened the aquarium to a ship, my role was described as that of the "captain," and I'm only now beginning to understand the meaning of that word. In these unpredictable times, my job is to navigate the rough seas and ensure that the diverse operations of the aquarium are run smoothly and move forward.

In running the aquarium, we must ensure that we are using our valuable funds effectively, that there are no problems with the equipment and supplies, that we can welcome visitors safely, that our staff are in good physical and mental health, and that we have good relationships with everyone who supports the aquarium. We work in cooperation with other departments to ensure that these things are "moving forward in a healthy manner."

I'd like to introduce some specific tasks within the administrative staff.

For example, there is work related to ensuring the safety and security of our customers. It is still fresh in our memory that an emergency warning regarding the Nankai Trough earthquake was issued for the first time last year, but in the event of a major earthquake directly beneath the capital or similar earthquake, we conduct various drills on a regular basis and build systems to smoothly guide customers to a safe place and to continue caring for animals as much as possible.


A scene from a disaster response drill, showing the response headquarters and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures. The drill is conducted within the facility, simulating various scenarios.
The aquarium also has a supporter program (details here). This program allows individuals, companies, and organizations who wish to support the Tokyo Metropolitan Zoos and Aquariums to raise funds to improve the living environment for the animals. The aquarium used these funds to install a misting system in the penguin exhibit, "Penguin Ecology," as a measure against the recent heat waves.

"The Ecology of Penguins"	Mist generator installed with supporter funds

My dream for the future is to make the aquarium even more open to local residents and people who are interested in marine life, freshwater creatures, and aquatic life. Tokyo Sea Life Park. It is also a place where dreams that are difficult to achieve alone can be realized. I believe that working together with people who share the aquarium's philosophy is essential for better operation of the aquarium.

Finally, Tokyo Sea Life Park has celebrated its 35th anniversary, welcoming over 60 million visitors in total. The "schools of tuna" that we now see as a matter of course were once a pipe dream, something no aquarium in the world had ever achieved. It is the result of the pioneering spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence that we have created the exhibits we see today. As a "place of interaction between the sea and people," we will continue our unwavering efforts to "convey" the charm of living creatures and "protect" their environment. Currently, various discussions are underway for the "new aquarium." We would like to consider a system that will allow many people to become deeply involved with the aquarium. Please join us in "continuing the dream"!


35th Anniversary Poster: "We will not stop"
[Tokyo Sea Life Park]

• Serialized article: 35th Anniversary Project "The Dreams of Aquarium Leaders"
　[1] Thoughts on the exhibits at the aquarium
　[2] The path that aquariums aim for - We want them to always be close to you
　[3] Would you like to get involved in the maintenance and management of the facilities that support the aquarium from behind the scenes?
　[4] Aquariums where you can learn while having fun
　[5] I want to create the ocean
　[6] Aqua Positive
　[7] Aiming for an inclusive aquarium
　[8] The Dreaming Old Man
　[9] The job of a "boatman" at an aquarium - Let's continue the dream together!
　[10] Value hospitality
　[11] What we want to convey from shops and restaurants!! The charm and importance of living things
　[12 (Final Episode)] Thoughts and daily life of the Business Division staff

(January 24, 2025)