Spotted Eagle Ray now swimming at Fort Fisher Aquarium | News

KURE BEACH, NC (WECT) - If you have visited some of the area's tourist attractions, and thought the crowds were larger than past years, you are right. Tourism officials say more and more people are traveling, and all 100 counties are showing increases when it comes to tourism.

The record heat of the summer brought a lot of visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Director Peggy Sloan says that has been the trend for several years now.

"Weather definitely has an effect on our attendance," said Sloan. "When it is raining, this is a great place to come; when it is hot, it is a great place to come. It is a great place to come anytime, but those things certainly helps boost our attendance."

About a month ago, the staff introduced a new resident to visitors - Twister, a Spotted Eagle Ray that is now swimming in the Aquarium's largest tank, the Cape Fear Shoals.

The ray is easily recognized by it's whip-like tail fin, the fluid movement of his large pectoral fins, a pronounced snout, and a white polka dot pattern on his brown dorsal body.

Spotted rays can grow up to nine feet wide and weight as much as 500 pounds. They live throughout tropical and warm waters as far north as North Carolina and as far south as Brazil.

While the Spotted Eagle Ray is a new resident, so is an octopus, who is still a little shy and enjoys hiding in his exhibit.

During the summer, the Aquarium does not isolate its work to inside. Four New Hanover High School students spent their summer as interns, sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm about the environment with children ages 5-14.

For one of those students, it has allowed him to think about his future after high school graduation.

"With us canoeing and pier fishing in the previous weeks I have been here in the summer, I have learned a lot and I think I can use that later on in my life to teach my kids and maybe some young people," said Nigel Barnes, a New Hanover High School student who was selected to be a summer intern at the Aquarium.

And although school is just a couple of weeks away from starting up again, the Aquarium staff is gearing up for another season. The staff is getting prepared for those who like to take vacations in the cooler fall months. 

"There are few things you can do as a family, including going to the movies, that are as affordable as going to the Aquarium," said Sloan. "But it is an experience that you can spend a half a day doing, so it is pretty unique and special. And if you are a family in this area, it is something you definitely should be taking advantage of."

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.  However, the hand feeding of the Spotted Eagle Ray takes place each morning at 10:30 and again afternoons at 2:30.  For more information on the programs offered at the Aquarium, their phone number is (910) 452-8257.

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