Since 1984, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has occupied the old Hovden Cannery building that opened in 1916 and was the last cannery to close along the waterfront in 1973. This main attraction at the end of Cannery Row exhibits thousands of sealife which swim in 100 tanks of water that is continuously pumped in from Monterey Bay. In addition to delighting nearly two million visitors a year, the aquarium also partners with several organizations in marine research and protection.
