The Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit at the St. Lucie County Aquarium is inviting visitors to explore the vibrant underwater world of Florida’s coastal habitats, offering rare close-up encounters with marine life in the heart of Fort Pierce’s waterfront district.
Manager Bill Hoffman says the facility’s philosophy of displaying fully live, complex models of ecosystems dates back to 1980 under the Smithsonian, making it unlike most public aquariums.
“We feel like we’re the best kept secret on the Treasure Coast, and we don’t want to be,” Hoffman told WPTV, noting that more species are housed here than in many larger exhibits…