Chris Coco

Panelist at the Welcome Celebration at the Georgia Aquarium

Chris Coco is Senior Director for Aquatic Sustainability at Georgia Aquarium, Inc. (GAI).  He joined GAI in 2004 as a member of its pre-opening team.  During that phase, Coco helped to assemble one of the largest living collections at any aquarium, most notable was his role in supporting overseas transports associated with whale sharks and the Aquarium’s first manta ray. Much of Coco’s tenure has involved managing GAI’s fish and invertebrate collection and the team responsible for its daily care.  Other contributions have included participating in and facilitating new exhibit projects, with the recent Sharks! Predators of the Deep being one of the largest new additions to the Aquarium.  In collaboration with various Aquarium teams, he has developed conservation projects involving shark breeding, rehabilitation of stranded sea turtles and orphaned manatee care.  In his current role, Coco has moved more exclusively into conservation and sustainable animal project development and oversight.  He continues to oversee the team that is responsible for sustainable animal acquisition and quarantine, along with new projects such as ornamental marine fish aquaculture and sustainable collection food sourcing.