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About the Seaside Aquarium

When the aquarium was founded in 1937, the goal was mostly to entertain the public. The dark interior was meant to create the feeling of swimming through an ocean cave at a time when respiration-aided diving was virtually unknown.

In the past several years, the focus has shifted to education and community involvement as well as entertainment. We have reached beyond the walls of the actual building to participate in local events and projects geared toward establishing a better understanding and appreciation of the North Coast marine environment.

In 1995 we became leaders in the regional Marine Mammal Stranding Network. In the next few years we added an Interpretive Center and helped start Seaside’s Watershed Estuary Beach Discovery Program. We have partnered with local businesses, non-profit organizations, and the City of Seaside to inform both the public and local communities about beach safety, tides, different coastal habitats, and the animals who live there.

Touch Tank


Beachcombing Aquarium-style (continued from page 1) .

For example, the humpback whale is not particularly rare, but hardly ever washes up on beaches because it spends its time miles offshore. Usually when it dies, its carcass is carried around in the ocean until it deteriorates completely. The one that washed ashore in Washington this winter was the first one the local Marine Mammal Stranding network has seen in its ten years of operation. Touch Tank A King of the Salmon that washed ashore this summer provided a wonderful sample of deep-water fish for the aquarium. Eye Measurement Living between 500 and 1,000 feet below the ocean’s surface and reaching six feet in length, this fish needs big eyes to see. The one that we found had an eye nearly three inches across! The aquarium has frozen the fish and hopes to preserve it permanently for use on display.

2006 Highlights
Our regular programs and associations, including leading the local Marine Mammal Stranding Network and our outreach programs, take us all over Clatsop County and beyond. We also continued our regular partnership with Seaside’s Watershed Estuary Beach Discovery Program, and our support for the Wildlife Rehab Center. In addition, we:
  • Held a Haystack Rock Awareness Program benefit in March, "Captive animals raise money for wild ones"
  • Placed an unusual prowfish on display at the aquarium
  • Participated in Cannon Beach’s Earth Day celebration
  • Held a seal naming raffle - the winners chose the name "Cecil"
  • Participated in the local elementary schools’ Sea Week
  • Had three new baby seals born:
  • Watched baby octopuses hatch
  • Held a community Open House for the local food bank and HRAP in December
Thanks for visiting us in 2006.
We wouldn’t be here without your support!

Visit us online at www.seasideaquarium.com

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