It costs $750,000 a month to feed all the fish, seals, sharks and other animals at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
It costs $1.8 million a month to cover all the bills. Since mid-March, with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the most revenue coming in at the aquarium was $1.2 million. That happened with the outdoor exhibits open to attract visitors paying a reduced admission fee.
So when an unsolicited $75,000 donation came in last week from one of Long Beach s most prominent families, the Molinas, aquarium CEO Peter Kareiva managed a smile. The Molinas are longtime aquarium supporters â Mario Molina is on the board of directors â and made this donation to both honor their father, Dr. C. David Molina, and challenge others to donate as well.