TOBA, Mie Three of the new employees at the Toba Aquarium here attended an underwater entrance ceremony on March 31, surrounded by some 50 species of fish plus families visiting the facility.
The annual event took place in a coral reef diving tank, the aquarium's largest at 16 meters by 15 meters, with a maximum depth of 5.5 m. Three of the six new hires for fiscal 2023 were licensed divers clad in weighed-down business suits over their diving suits.
After receiving a letter of appointment from Shinya Mitani, head of the breeding research department and their new boss, the three began cleaning the interior of the tank glass with sponges gifted from senior breeding staff.
One of the rookie staffers said, "I've always longed to work here, where there are so many species in captivity." I'll do my best by focusing my mind and creating new history while carrying on traditions.