The chairman of the aquarium's finance committee Don Higgins tells The (Charleston) Post and Courier that the nonprofit organization makes money, but is carrying a heavy debt load.

He says fundraising is key, but last year's events yielded fewer new donations than new costs.

The aquarium spent 77 percent more on development. That's an increase of about $248,286. But new contributions increased only $200,228.

Admissions revenue increased 8.3 percent to nearly $4.2 million, as slightly more than 427,000 people visited.

The aquarium posted gains of $289,151 in 2006 and $440,000 in 2005.