Blog

Meet Grant Abel, our new director of life sciences. We’re thrilled he’s found a new home with us at the Seattle Aquarium—and he’s quite happy as well, commenting, “I’m very excited to be here because I share the vision and values that our staff and volunteers bring to the Aquarium every day.”

Microplastics, microplastics everywhere—or so the news says. But just what is the extent of the problem in Puget Sound and the greater Pacific Northwest region?To start answering this question, the Seattle Aquarium recently hosted the first Microplastics Monitoring Workshop in the greater Pacific Northwest, and invited local and regional experts to join us and share knowledge, insights and strategies about their microplastics efforts.

The Washington state 2020 legislative session is about to begin, and the Seattle Aquarium will again be advocating for science-based measures to protect our marine environment. This year, we will be working hard to reduce plastic pollution, protect orcas and accelerate actions to address climate change. As a new member of the Environmental Priorities Coalition, we will be doing so in close partnership with 23 other like-minded conservation organizations.

A message from Seattle Aquarium President and CEO Bob Davidson.

We at the Seattle Aquarium were saddened to learn recently that William D. Ruckelshaus had passed away at age 87. His long and storied career led us to present him with the very first Seattle Aquarium Medal (now the Sylvia Earle Medal) in 2004. Mr. Ruckelshaus will be remembered for his extraordinary contributions and commitment to environmental conservation.

We at the Seattle Aquarium were saddened to learn of the passing of James (“Jim”) Reed Ellis on December 3 at his home in Bellevue. He was 98.

Join Dr. Shawn Larson, curator of conservation research at the Seattle Aquarium, as she shares the latest on one of our many field research efforts in this special two-part guest post.

If you subscribe to our blog or follow us on social media, you probably know that our beloved (and quite elderly!) Barney underwent a procedure on November 17 to diagnose potential age-related health issues. The procedure, performed with Barney under general anesthesia, went well and the team was able to perform all the desired tests.

Join Dr. Shawn Larson, curator of conservation research at the Seattle Aquarium, as she shares the latest on one of our many field research efforts in this special two-part guest post.

No matter the time, no matter the day, someone on duty at the Aquarium, ensuring that our life support systems are running smoothly and the animals entrusted to us are getting exactly what they need.

Orcas depend on wide expanses of protected waters to swim and forage. Unfortunately, due to low food availability, high levels of pollution, and noise and disturbances from vessels, the southern resident orcas are on the brink of extinction. With the additional loss of three orcas this summer, the population is down to only 73 individuals. Right now, we have an opportunity to take positive action to help change that trajectory.

Barney the harbor seal is a beloved icon at the Seattle Aquarium. He was born here in 1985 and, over his 34 years, has touched the hearts of countless visitors, volunteers and staff.

What would happen if zoo and aquarium animals received reviews similar to those on websites like Amazon and Yelp? That question was answered hilariously last year, when #rateaspecies became a viral hit on social media.