MASLA was originally founded by Andrew Lee and Lynne Laurita. During this period MASLA was host to such speakers as Stanley Brown, of the Breeders Registry, Keith Amador and Charles Delbeek of the Waikiki Aquarium. MASLA also put together The Field Trip to the Waikiki Aquarium

In 1996 MASLA was reorganized and operated by Jim Stime, Jr. It was during this period that MASLA brought in Steve Tyree, Jim Wolf, Paul Votava, Scott Sweet, Jeff Macare, Rob Hildreth, Ken Yates, and Bob Fenner as speakers. Additionally, Field Trips to the Long Beach AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC Construction site, the Stephen Birch Aquarium, the Cabrillo High School Aquarium, as well as, an awesome Members Aquarium Tour. 

MASLA also exhibited at the 1997, 1998 , 1999 and 2000 America's Family Pet Expo, but its greatest achievement was the production of the tenth annual Marine Aquarium Conference of North America , also known as  MACNA X, the grandest of all MACNA's, which featured 33 Speakers, 57 Exhibitors and almost 600 attendee's. .

As of February 1999 MASLA  became a " Partnership Organization " directed by Clayton Romie and Jim Stime, Jr.

Membership was about 40, and meetings are attended by an average of 35 plus. Meetings were held the Second Friday of odd numbered months, and included a Speaker(s) and Presentation(s), Club Business, Social Time, Open Forum Discussions, and a Raffle. 

MASLA's 8 page, bi-monthly newsletter Odyssea, which began in February 1995, had printed 32 bi-monthly issues. Odyssea contained the Fish Tank, the Reef Tank, and the Invertebrate columns written by Jim Wolf, MASLA's Science Editor and Marine Biologist, Clayton Romie and Jim Stime. The newsletter featured articles ranging from members visits to Public Aquariums, trips to tropical vacation sites and Aquarium Conference's, as well as, various stories written by its members. As of January 2000 Odyssea became the first aquarium society to take its newsletter on-line,  which allowed it to expand its audience, content, and color.

Some closing words,

After almost six years, 32 meetings, 32 newsletters, 43 speakers, 2 tank tours,  6 field trips, 4 pet expo's, an extremely popular web site, and one major aquarium conference,....*whew*.... was that enough ? The time has come for me to move on. 

It saddens me a bit to leave but I do believe, and hope, that the time that we have spent together has been benificial to you. It has always been my goal to increased your understanding, your ability, your responsibility, and your enjoyment of the saltwater aquarium hobby. 

I have enjoyed tremendously the time I have been involved in the the various aquarium societies, and meeting , as well as talking to you and about your tank(s). 

To those who have helped me along the way, I truly do appreciate your guidance and assistance. I have learned alot from you and I will always cherish these memories and our aquatic friendships.

Thank you, 
Jim Stime, Jr