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SEASIDE AQUARIUM

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Seaside Aquarium - (03/14/2024 12:08:30 am)
Seaside Aquarium added an event!
Seaside Aquarium - (03/13/2024 07:44:44 pm)
We had the pleasure of having this sweet red tail hawk come through the aquarium today on his way to the Wildlife Center of the North Coast. Recovered near Silver Point, the poor little guy was nearly unresponsive but after some rest and warmer conditions he started to perk right up. He is now in the loving and caring hands of the volunteers and staff at the Wildlife Center of the North Coast. For more information on this great organization visit, https://coastwildlife.org
Seaside Aquarium - (03/12/2024 11:30:06 pm)
An impromptu beach cleanup led to some interesting finds. With the wind billowing out of the west, we thought it would be a good day to scour the beach for washed up kelp. While we did not find any kelp, we did find a lot of Styrofoam and plastics. Judging by the marine life growing on some of the floats and Styrofoam they had been drifting out at sea for quite some time. One float had live oysters, pelagic gooseneck barnacles, sea anemones and even baby drifter crabs (drifter crabs are similar to pelagic gooseneck barnacles as they are only found living on floating marine debris). Side note: Velellas continue to wash ashore and the fin whale has been taken back out to sea.
Seaside Aquarium - (03/07/2024 12:39:05 am)
We've been seeing a lot of Velella velellas on the beach. Both fresh and dried. While walking along the beach, you may have noticed slimy, iridescent blue discs. These discs are a type of animal called Velella velella, commonly known as Purple Sails or By-The-Wind Sailors. Purple Sails have a clear 'sail' that catches the wind and pushes them across the ocean's surface. When the wind blows from the West, these little guys get stranded on the beach. Once washed ashore, they either become food for a variety of beach-dwelling creature or dray into the translucent 'sails' you see on the beach. Purple Sails do not sting their prey; they capture their food with small sticky tentacles. Velellas feed on fish eggs and small planktonic copepods. Found in most oceans, Purple Sails are frequent visitors to the Oregon Coast. They can reach a size of 4 inches in length and 3 inches in width.
Seaside Aquarium - (03/06/2024 01:26:14 am)
A beautiful evening for a quick dig. Our octopus and wolf eels will be having a fresh clam feast for dinner.
Seaside Aquarium - (03/06/2024 01:22:58 am)
Nice evening for dig. Our octopus and wolf eels will be enjoying a fresh razor clam feast tonight.
Seaside Aquarium - (03/04/2024 11:44:21 pm)
Seaside Aquarium added an event!
Seaside Aquarium - (02/24/2024 12:37:03 am)
Have you been to the aquarium lately? We have some great displays and unique marine life for you to see. Even better, if you come in this Sunday all of our admissions will be donated to the North Coast Land Conservancy, the Wildlife Center of the North Coast, and Friends of Haystack Rock in honor of Neal Maine and his late wife Karen. This year marks the third year of the "Maine Event". Every year on the last Sunday in February we celebrate Neal Maine and all of the great work he does for our community and beyond by donating the daily admissions to an organization or organizations of his choosing. Help us support him and these local non-profits.
Seaside Aquarium - (02/20/2024 01:19:04 am)
It’s just a little late but, we still want to extend our gratitude to all of you who brought cans and dry food for admission during our annual food drive. When you fed the seals, we all helped feed the community.
Seaside Aquarium - (02/17/2024 11:42:02 pm)
We call it home, thousands of visitors every year call it refuge, Seaside turns 124 today! From the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets to visiting us at the Aquarium, so many memories have been made on our little stretch of the coast.
Seaside Aquarium - (02/15/2024 11:19:55 pm)
Fin Whale Update: For folks wanting to see the fin whale. Last night's tide moved the whale 3 miles north of the Sunset Beach access. While this is an incredible experience to see the second largest whale on earth we'd like to remind you to keep your distance from the whale, marine mammals can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans and our pets. This is also an endangered species, parts from the whale cannot be legally collected and registered by members of the public.
Seaside Aquarium - (02/14/2024 11:56:45 pm)
Happy Valentine's Day!
Seaside Aquarium - (02/14/2024 12:46:19 am)
A sub-adult 46-foot male entangled Fin whale washed ashore yesterday morning, February 12th near the Sunset Beach approach in Oregon. As the whale was washing ashore, the surf was pushing it around making some people believe that the whale was still alive at the time of stranding. Unfortunately, before authorized responders had a chance to examine the whale, someone removed the entangling gear. While it may have seemed like a good idea at the time, this compromised the stranding and entanglement investigation. A necropsy was performed today and the results are pending analysis. What we do know is that the whale was extremely underweight and had recent interactions with orcas, evidenced by fresh rake marks. The entanglement injuries appeared to be fresh and the abrasions noted were superficial. It is extremely important to report strandings and to not interact or remove entangling gear from stranded animals. Analyzing removed entangling gear provides information that may reduce the risk of future entanglements. By identifying the source of entangling fishing gear, NOAA Fisheries can work with the fishing industry and coastal communities to identify geographic areas, times of year, fisheries, and gear configurations that have resulted in whale entanglements. These data can help NOAA Fisheries better understand and minimize the risks of entanglement and ultimately aids in the conservation and management of many large whale species.
Seaside Aquarium - (02/13/2024 01:49:33 am)
Please help us protect the Fin whale that stranded dead at Sunset Beach State Park in Oregon earlier today. Leave the carcass undisturbed and urge others to do the same. Fin whales are the second largest whale in the world, after Blue whales, and they are protected by law. Our best chance of learning what happened to this endangered species is to examine the carcass, but any disturbance or interaction with the carcass compromises that opportunity. Our necropsy team will be on scene tomorrow and we will share our findings. Please help us until then by staying away from the carcass and keeping your pets and children at a safe distance. We recommend at least 100 yards from this and all other stranded marine mammals. Photo by Seaside Aquarium, MMHSRP #24359. For more information visit https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/marine-mammal-protection/west-coast-marine-mammal-stranding-network?fbclid=IwAR284jbFj_VK_gnEp8Gte4Ozi-_g-VRtXzMj1hbrObi8u1jPnse2V-OGVTk
Seaside Aquarium - (02/11/2024 12:30:06 am)
When you walk through the Aquarium with your seal food instead of feeding the seals first…. they’re always watching.
Seaside Aquarium - (02/09/2024 08:18:27 pm)
I spy with my little eye a wee little pyrosome. In 2016-2017 pyrosomes were washing ashore en masse along Oregon's beaches. So are they back? Will we see them in the numbers we saw in 2016-2017? Only time will tell. Often called sea pickles or sea squirts, pyrosomes are most commonly found in tropical waters, but stormy ocean conditions are known to bring the mysterious creatures as far north as Alaska. Pyrosoma atlanticum is the most observed species found along Oregon beaches are a rigid, bumpy, pinkish-gray tube about the size of a finger. Throughout the world pyrosomes can range in size from a few centimeters to over 30 feet long, but the common Pyrosoma atlanticum reaches a maximum length of two feet. These totally tubular critters are actually known as a colonial tunicate, a mass of thousands of smaller organisms with a rigid notochord (a simplistic backbone). Pyrosomes are actually colonies of multi-celled animals called zooids. Thousands of cloned zooids create the cylinder-shaped, tube-like body and are connected by tissue that enable communication and coordinated behavior. To swim and feed, pyrosomes move their cilia (hair-like structures) together to draw in water and filter-feed on plankton. After the plankton is caught on mucus the zooids expel the water in coordination to propel their tube-body through the sea. Similar to other pelagic creatures (animals that live in the open ocean) pyrosomes migrate vertically and are capable of swimming a vertical distance of 2500 feet in one day. Their scientific name pyrosoma roughly translates into a Greek word for “firebody” which references their ability to exhibit bioluminescence while alive. In general, the life cycle and role of the pyrosome in the ocean food web remains a mystery, but some scientists have theorized that the bioluminescence is to attract plankton to eat. Likewise, other observations have been made that pyrosomes seem to be successful when ocean conditions promote plankton blooms. Known predators include bony fish, dolphins and whales. While it is generally understood that pyrosomes do not pose a threat to humans, local experts suggest not letting pets eat pyrosomes when found on the beach!
Seaside Aquarium - (02/09/2024 01:31:02 am)
While Sam's stint as a sports analyst is almost over, he would like you to know that overall he was right 55% of the time (that's better than most sports analysts). His biggest flex is the fact that he predicted the outcome of the Seahawk games with a 73% accuracy rate. So the question is, are you going to trust this urchin with placing your Super Bowl bets? If you are a true Swifty, as you all may know Sam is, you will. Go Chiefs! #superbowl #gameday #Chiefs #49ers #Swifties #NFL #urchinsknowfootball
Seaside Aquarium - (02/07/2024 12:30:06 am)
To think, if I had been a brine shrimp, I’d be totally terrified right now. Up close and personal with a hooded nudibranch, those are some impressive cirri.
Seaside Aquarium - (02/03/2024 12:49:07 am)
Tomorrow is Treasure the Beach! This month we would like to thank and highlight our friends at the Ebbtide Oceanfront Inn. 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of these amazing monthly beach cleanups and the Ebbtide Oceanfront Inn has always been a great supporter, sending employees out each month to help keep Seaside beach clean. "Getting involved in beach cleanups is a big deal for our hotel in Seaside. We're not just a place to stay; we're part of this awesome coastal community. The beach here is like our backyard, and it's on us to keep it clean and happy. When we roll up our sleeves for cleanup efforts, we're not just doing a good deed – we're showing love for the place we call home. Our guests love the beauty of Seaside's beach, and by pitching in, we're making sure those sandy shores stay as amazing as ever. It's not just about being a hotel; it's about being good neighbors and doing our part." Vincent R LeFever Jr. General Manager, Ebbtide Oceanfront Inn. Thank you, Ebbtide, for you hard work and support throughout the years. See you tomorrow. #solveoregon #ebbtideoceanfrontinn #treasurethebeach #beachcleanup #seasidebeach #pacificnorthwest
Seaside Aquarium - (01/28/2024 04:29:29 pm)
Sam was having a hard time committing to outcomes of today's championship games but it looks like he is leaning towards the Chiefs and the Lions going to the Superbowl. Secretly, Sam is a Swifty and always likes rooting for the underdogs. Go Lions! #NFL #AFCChampionship #NFCChampionship #gameday #urchinsknowfootball
Seaside Aquarium - (01/20/2024 07:34:37 pm)
Who will be eliminated this week? Time to place your bets. #NFL #gameday #Urchinsknowfootball #divisionchamps
Seaside Aquarium - (01/14/2024 11:01:02 pm)
It's still a little icy on the coast but it is warming up and the ice is starting to melt.
Seaside Aquarium - (01/14/2024 06:16:11 pm)
Due to some icy conditions both on and off the field (as well as an unscheduled power outage) we are a bit behind in posting Sam's picks for Wildcard Weekend. He correctly predicted the outcome of last night's Chiefs vrs Dolphins but everyone knows dolphins do not function well in -4 degrees. #NFL #gameday #WildCardWeekend #Urchinsknowfootball
Seaside Aquarium - (01/14/2024 04:26:22 am)
Icy day at the coast! Power was out for most of the day but don’t worry the seals were enjoying their balmy 50 degree water. Stay safe and warm!
Seaside Aquarium - (01/12/2024 08:52:57 pm)
Tiny velellas and their sails have been spotted on Cannon Beach but don’t worry the wind is starting to blow out of the east. It might be getting chilly but the east wind should catch their little sails and those that are close to shore will sail back out to the open ocean.
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Seaside Aquarium, 200 North Prom, Seaside, Oregon 97138 Tel: (503) 738-6211.