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July 30, 2010
See seashells, sea life at the Aquarium
Most folks have to go to the beach to find sea shells. But thanks to shell collector and educator Mike Fisher of Amherst, area residents and tourists need go no farther than the Aquarium of Niagara.
A part of Fisher’s extensive shell collection is now on display at the Whirlpool Street aquarium. Last fall the loaned exhibit featured primarily murex shells, a predatory sea snail, and spider conchs with spikes or finger-like appendages. This summer, he has replaced that collection with a conch display (think large snail) where the shells range from a couple of inches long to the size of a soccer ball.
The largest one, a Queen Helmet conch, has a special story behind it. When Fisher was about 8 years old and living in Charlotte, South Carolina, he was riding by a neighbor’s house on his bike when she came out to show him some of her shell collection. He admired the Queen Helmet. The two kept in touch over the years and when she passed away, she left the Queen Helmet shell to Fisher.
"Our visitors really enjoy this amazing and educational exhibit," said Nancy A. Chapin, the Aquarium’s executive director. “It’s a beautiful display on loan to us, at no cost to the Aquarium, and no extra cost for our visitors."
While still a youngster living in Charlotte, Fisher said: "When I went to the beach as a kid, I always looked for shells and tidal pools."
"I wanted to be Jacques Cousteau."
"I liked sorting and categorizing things. With shells, I wanted to know more about them, their genus and species."
Fisher has always liked science. It might have been because his grandmother taught school and also was an assistant principal. She encouraged his interests and would bring home science books for him to read. After high school, he went on to earn degrees in both biology and English.
At one time, Fisher had more than 3,000 shells in his collection. Today, he has given many away and stored others.
Both shell displays at the Aquarium are the only ones Fisher has loaned to any institution, he said. He did have a glass case of shells outside his classroom at Starpoint Central School in Pendleton when he taught there.
All the shells are beautiful and beautifully displayed with information included about each one. If you’re unable to see them in person, Fisher has established a website where they can all be seen and read about. To reach this site, go to http://aquariumofniagara.wikispaces.com.
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