December 12, 2025
Installation was recently completed on a new School of Fish exhibit in the Port Royal Sound Foundation (PRSF) Maritime Center museum and aquarium. The exhibit hangs in the foyer of the Maritime Center, welcoming guests in with a group of life-size, realistic cobia swimming above their heads as soon as they enter. This display sets the tone for an immersive, exciting, educational experience as guests explore the rest of the Maritime Center, and complements PRSF’s ongoing research and conservation initiatives.
The Maritime Center is a favorite destination for locals and tourists, showcasing a wide variety of exhibits ranging from live animals to educational information about ecology, history, culture, and recreation to beautiful art displays and photo ops. Over 29,000 pass through the Maritime Center every year, and PRSF strives to constantly add and refresh exhibits so that every visit is better than the last. The new School of Fish Exhibit is an awe-inspiring and eye-catching addition to PRSF that welcomes visitors in a whimsical and wonderful way. As soon as they enter the Maritime Center, they feel as though they are underwater in the unique environment of the Port Royal Sound.
“I absolutely love sitting at the desk in the Maritime Center and watching people’s faces as they enter for the first time—especially the kids. Their eyes light up and their jaws drop as they see the life-size megalodon jaw, tiger shark, sea turtle, and more swimming above them. The School of Fish exhibit adds to this amazing welcome. Even I felt the wonder the first time I saw the new exhibit.” –Kat Armstrong, PRSF Naturalist and Special Projects Coordinator
More than just an art display, the School of Fish exhibit is a visual representation of the beautiful and healthy fishery population of Beaufort County, which is a significant part of Port Royal Sound ecology and economy. Cobia were selected for this exhibit both for their striking appearance and their significance to the Sound. Though typically an offshore species, most nearshore cobia in South Carolina are found in and around the Port Royal Sound, primarily during their spawning season from May to August. Learn more about cobia at: https://portroyalsoundfoundation.org/field-guide-post/cobia/
The exhibit complements PRSF’s initiatives to collect data on local fisheries through the annual 10-day Inshore Slam and the Year-long Fishing Challenge for REEL Science. Data collected by anglers through these efforts provides an important snapshot of life in the Sound, including insights into seasonal patterns and behaviors. To learn more and register, visit: https://portroyalsoundfoundation.org/inshore-slam/reel-science/
The School of Fish exhibit was designed, created, and installed by 3D Topics. The exhibit was made possible thanks to generous support from a City of Beaufort Accommodations Tax grant. PRSF is grateful to the City of Beaufort for their investment in the community and commitment to making Beaufort a must-visit destination. Be sure to visit the Maritime Center soon to see this spectacular new exhibit for yourself!
