Forget the penguins and the seahorses. The stars of Splash Zone are tiny Pacific spiny lumpsuckers, perched on kelp fronds in the Enchanted Kelp Forest gallery.

They have legions of admirers here and in the wild for their endearing way of anchoring themselves to the kelp with suction-like pectoral fins. For boldly taking food from divers. (And for those big eyes.)

From Puget Sound to Japan, lumpsuckers are common in kelp forests and eelgrass beds. And that's the point of the story. Like all marine life, they need clean water and healthy habitats to survive. It's a good reminder as Earth Day 2008 approaches.

We're doing our part, through programs like Seafood Watch, through our daily business practices and, with your help through our Ocean Action Team.

There are many ways to make a difference, on Earth Day and every day. It's good for us, good for the planet—and good for the lumpsucker.