Annual Plan (January, 2011) - 7-page document: http://www.seattleaquarium.org/NetCommunity/document.doc?id=1239
The link below is 24 pages in length and is the 2010 annual report. Interesting facts include: - On July 1, 2010 the aquarium officially became a non-profit organization - With an average of around 800,000 visitors per year it is ranked #8 of all American aquariums in terms of attendance - 52% of the establishment's operating revenue comes from admissions - A major redvelopment of the waterfront (including a highway tunnel) could be complete by 2015 http://www.seattleaquarium.org/document.doc?id=1409
How is this aquarium? Is it worth a visit? When we were in Seattle this was on my list of possible things to see along with the zoo, but we went to the Experience Music Project instead. The main attraction of the aquarium looked like it was the sea otters, which seemed a little odd to me as they are also at Tacoma, but I guess there can't be too many sea otters in the world. With 800,000 visitors they clearly have an audience.
@David: I visited the EMP many years ago but it did not have the Sci-Fi Museum joined to it at the time so I'd be curious as to how impressive that facility is now. If you want to write a brief review then perhaps we should use our email addresses rather than begin a discussion of it here. Seattle Aquarium had an excellent expansion in 2007, and now the entrance foyer, the cafe, the exterior, the huge Window on Washington Waters tank, and Crashing Waves additions are all terrific. The main inside zone of the aquarium has some nice sections, including a wonderful octopus exhibit and a pair of large touch tanks, and the outdoor bird area with its 3 exhibits is also top-notch. However, the marine mammal area (harbour seals, sea otters, northern fur seals) is borderline dreadful and badly in need of an update. Vancouver Aquarium is a place that my family visits almost once a month and it is a better aquarium and actually receives over 900,000 visitors per year, but Seattle is a nice diversion and we make the long drive and visit at least once or twice a year. Of the approximately 50 aquariums in North America it is #8 in attendance (in the U.S.) and probably a top 15 aquarium overall if one is into ranking such things.
Mo the river otter will be arriving from Oregon Zoo shortly. Zoo: Mo the river otter moving to Seattle - KPTV - FOX 12
This topic hasn't been updated in a few minutes, here are some of the latest developments A new GPO has joined the collection, her name is Eight A completely new species has been added to Birds and Shores, a Western Snowy Plover nicknamed Crush Juvenile Big Skates are now on display in Puget Sound Fish Several new fish, including a High Cockscomb have been added to Life on the Edge
The Closer Look Table has a new "theme" as it now focuses on Crabs of Neah Bay. Species include Rhinoceros Crab (Rhinolithodes wosnessenskii), Longhorn Decorator Crab (Chorilia longipes) and many more Another new Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) named Casper has been introduced to the aquarium. Boomer, the Tufted Puffin hatchling (Fratercula cirrhata) is a girl and she has been exploring outside the nest. A new Day Octopus (Octopus cyanea) now lives in Pacific Coral Reef The former Longspine Porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus) habitat is now home to a Commerson's Frogfish in red coloration. The aforementioned porcupinefish now lives in the Ocean Oddities habitat with triggerfish, wrasses and glasseyes. Juvenile Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) now live in Ocean Oddities
The City Council of Seattle voted 8-0 to pledge $34 million towards the proposed 'Ocean Pavilion' that will eventually cost $113 million and hopefully open in 2023. The long article on the link below contains a wealth of information on the project, including 5 artistic images (you have to scroll across to see them all) that make the new pavilion look like an amazing masterpiece. There is a map at the bottom of the article that shows the location of the Ocean Pavilion and the situation will be similar to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, with two separate structures that visitors can access with a single paid admission ticket. The plan is for Seattle Aquarium to go from its current 850,000 annual visitors to 1.2 million per year. Seattle Aquarium plans $113 million pavilion with sharks, sting rays for new waterfront promenade
Here are 7 new images of the proposed Ocean Pavilion that is now due to open in 2024: LMN Architects Releases New Details and Renderings of Seattle Aquarium Expansion
2022 News: On February 9th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (1.0) harbor seal named Casey from the Seaside Aquarium in Oregon. Log into Facebook Seattle Aquarium welcomes new harbor seal On February 28th, the aquarium announced that their (1.0) northern sea otter named Adaa passed away due to cancer on February 27th. He was 22.5 years old and was the oldest male otter in the US and at an AZA facility. Log into Facebook On March 23rd, the aquarium announced they acquired a (1.0) northern fur seal named Chiidax from the New England Aquarium in Massachusetts on March 22nd. Log into Facebook On March 27th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (0.1) giant Pacific octopus named Neah which is now on exhibit. Log into Facebook On May 31st, the aquarium announced they have started breeding and raising pinto abalones, with the first juveniles released into the wild. Log into Facebook On June 30th, it was announced the aquarium received $256,122 from the AZA and US Fish & Wildlife for the care of endangered species. More Than $9 Million Awarded for Endangered Species Care During Pandemic | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service On July 30th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (1.0) giant Pacific octopus named Orbit which is now on exhibit. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3294561260762714 On August 16th, it was reported that the city of Seattle will loan the aquarium an extra $20 million for their waterfront project, with the condition that this is the last time they are giving money towards the project. Seattle to lend additional $20 million to aquarium waterfront project On September 5th, the aquarium announced that they are starting renovations on the tufted puffin, rhinoceros auklet, and common murre mixed-species exhibit on September 12th, with the birds being off exhibit. The shorebird exhibit will still be open during the renovations. Log into Facebook *Misc news: In February, the aquarium opened a temporary exhibit for Pacific spiny lumpsuckers. In April, the aquarium opened an art exhibit called The Salmon Way: An Alaska State of Mind, which ran until August. On May 24th, it was announced that US Representative Pramila Jayapal secured $31 million for various Seattle projects, including $750,000 for the aquarium pavilion project.
On September 22nd, KIRO 7 News shared a sneak peek at the upcoming Ocean Pavallion, including an animation that shows off the main 360,000-gallon tank representing the Coral Triangle. A lot of other details were mentioned, including the recent opening of an off-site animal holding facility, as well as a (0.0.1) spotted eagle-ray acquired from the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Washington. An inside look at Seattle Aquarium’s expansion plans
The budget for the Ocean Pavilion has been increased from the initial $113M to now $160M. Half is expected to be made up by visitors, while the rest will be made up by Donations (a fundraiser is expected to be setup soon). The Spotted Eagle Ray looks to be (just a hunch based off the size) like the pup that was born at the PDZA back in April. The $20M Loan by the City solidifies the expectation that the Ocean Pavilion will open sometime in 2024. Without it, the project most likely would've been pushed back to 2025 with some of the other waterfront changes due to delays.
Extensive news article regarding the new Ocean Pavilion Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion will transform its focus and the waterfront
2023 Seattle Aquarium Ocean Conservation Honors: Recognized Leaders Who Protect our Ocean Every year since 2004, the Seattle Aquarium has presented awards to extraordinary leaders who are working to protect the health of our marine environment for present and future generations. Our annual Ocean Conservation Honors event celebrates the honorees’ aspirations and impact, raises visibility for their important work, and offers them the opportunity to share their passion for our one ocean and a resilient future for all. This year, we presented Governor Jay Inslee with the Seattle Aquarium Sylvia Earle Medal and Dr. Vera Trainer with our Conservation Research Award. 2023 Seattle Aquarium Ocean Conservation Honors: Recognizing Leaders Who Protect Our Ocean
Other 2023 News: On January 5th, the aquarium announced that the renovated alcid exhibit is now back open to the public. Puffins | Happy #NationalBirdDay! Have you been to visit our newly renovated alcid habitat? Along with general improvements to the space, there are now more... | By Seattle Aquarium | Facebook On January 20th, the aquarium announced that they opened a new playspace called Caring Cove to the public. Seattle Aquarium On January 24th, the aquarium announced that they acquired a (1.0) giant Pacific octopus named Pickles which is now on exhibit. Seattle Aquarium On February 24th, the aquarium announced they released Orbit back into the wild. Seattle Aquarium
The Aquarium is seeking additional funding to complete the Ocean Pavilion. Despite already contributing public funds, the City is being asked to contribute more through a loan as other funding through a federal grant and private donations have not materialized as expected. Seattle Aquarium seeks more help from city to complete expansion
