Press Room

Make a difference for the temporarily closed Seattle Aquarium and our marine environment by participating in Giving Tuesday! This year, your gift will benefit the Seattle Aquarium’s 2020 Resilience Fund and our continued service to the community after being closed for 16 weeks last spring and reopening at only 15% of our total capacity, and our current temporary closure to the public.

In accordance with the new restrictions set forth by Governor Inslee yesterday reflecting the recent and rapid spread of COVID-19 throughout the state and across the country, the Aquarium will temporarily close effective tomorrow, November 17.

The Seattle Aquarium is excited to announce the launch of Sea Color, a new, ocean-themed coloring app with proceeds supporting the Aquarium’s mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, developed in collaboration with Tangible, an art and design studio based in Vancouver, B.C. 

Local Lummi artist Daniel Friday brings traditional Coast Salish perspective, honoring Seattle Aquarium’s location on Native land.

Sharks are so important to the ecosystem that the Seattle Aquarium is celebrating them for a whole month! Whether you visit the Aquarium in person or connect virtually, you’ll be able to learn about the diverse and important lives of sharks.

Why are Pacific salmon and the endangered southern resident orca population so critically important, and what are the connections between them? Join the Seattle Aquarium in October to learn more about salmon and our local orcas as we celebrate these amazing animals and the connections between them.

This year’s fundraiser is free and open to the public. Donations will support the Aquarium’s Resilience Fund.

Seattle, Wash. — The Seattle Aquarium and Honorary Chairs Ellen and Tom Gonser announce the virtual version of the annual splash! gala, taking place on Friday, September 25, at 7pm.

Everyone is encouraged to register for the event and spend the evening celebrating Puget Sound and our world’s one ocean while helping to ensure the Seattle Aquarium’s important work continues. With no ticket cost to register, the Aquarium hopes the community will join together for this online fundraiser in support of its mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment.

SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle Aquarium is deeply saddened to announce that Leu, one of our beloved northern fur seals, has passed away. He was one of just 10 northern fur seals living in zoos and aquariums in the United States.

Seattle Aquarium animal care staff discovered Leu unresponsive in his habitat early in the morning on August 26. A rescue protocol was quickly initiated and CPR applied. “The Aquarium’s professional animal care team were vigorous in their response, following the established protocol for just this type of event,” said Seattle Aquarium Director of Life Sciences Grant Abel. Despite their best efforts, Leu couldn’t be revived.

Watch our COO, Brad Rutherford, describe some of the changes visitors will encounter in the reopened Seattle Aquarium in this clip from KIRO 7.

We are all doing our part to help fight the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing. The Aquarium may be closed, but our dedicated staff are working hard to bring the Aquarium to you!

As we get closer to reopening and everyone being able to get out and about, the Aquarium will continue to be a source of online content about some of your favorite animals, conservation actions and at-home activities so you can continue to engage and learn about ocean health.

SEATTLE — The Seattle Aquarium predicts it has lost a quarter of its revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. Looking ahead to possibly reopening, it expects to take an even bigger hit. The typical busy season may be its slowest.

It has recently shifted most of its programs online. The virtual dive shows let people experience the aquarium inside their homes.

“We’re keeping up our conservation research programs, continuing our microplastic research, we are still a conservation organization even when our doors are closed,” said Brad Rutherford, Seattle Aquarium’s chief operating officer. Rutherford said the aquarium has made significant changes during the pandemic. Payroll was cut by 50% and new safety measures were implemented.

We are all doing our part to help fight the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing. The Aquarium may be closed, but our dedicated staff are working hard to bring the Aquarium to you!

Each week we will be bringing you online content about some of your favorite animals, conservation actions and at-home activities so you can continue to engage and learn about ocean health. Stay tuned to learn about the sea and shore birds of the Salish Sea, our local beach creatures, exotic warm water animals, and more! We have already posted some online resources that you can do on your own.