The Seattle Aquarium is a leading marine conservation organization and a popular attraction located on the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle, Washington. Since its opening in 1977, the aquarium has been dedicated to its mission of “Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment.” It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Exhibits and Visitor Experience
The Seattle Aquarium is comprised of three main buildings, Piers 59 and 60, and the new Ocean Pavilion, which opened in 2024. The aquarium offers a variety of exhibits that showcase the rich marine life of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Key exhibits include:
- Window on Washington Waters: A massive 120,000-gallon tank that provides a glimpse into the underwater world of Washington’s coastal waters, featuring native species like salmon and rockfish.
- Life on the Edge: A touch-tank exhibit where visitors can get hands-on with tide pool creatures like sea stars and sea cucumbers.
- Marine Mammals: Exhibits featuring playful sea otters, harbor seals, and northern fur seals.
- Giant Pacific Octopus: A captivating exhibit dedicated to this intelligent and mysterious creature of the Puget Sound.
- Ocean Pavilion: This new addition focuses on the biodiversity of the Coral Triangle in the Indo-Pacific, often referred to as “the Amazon of the ocean.”
The aquarium also offers daily dive shows, animal feedings, and educational programs for all ages.
Conservation and Research
The Seattle Aquarium is a global leader in marine conservation and research. Its efforts are focused on:
- Species Recovery: The aquarium is actively involved in programs to recover endangered species, including the pinto abalone (in partnership with the Puget Sound Restoration Fund and others) and various species of sharks and rays through the global coalition ReShark.
- Ocean Policy and Advocacy: The aquarium advocates for science-based policies to protect and restore the marine environment, with a focus on issues like climate change, sustainable seas, and clean water.
- Scientific Research: The aquarium conducts research on a range of topics, including microplastics, plastic alternatives, and sea otters.
Relationship with IUCN
The Seattle Aquarium is an active participant in the global conservation community and collaborates with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The aquarium’s staff are involved in various IUCN Species Survival Commission specialist groups, contributing their expertise to global conservation planning and action for species like cetaceans, otters, and sharks. The aquarium’s species recovery efforts are actively promoted by the IUCN, highlighting the strong alignment and partnership between the two organizations in their shared mission to protect marine biodiversity.
