The History of Oregon Coast Aquarium

2024 marks 32 years of the Oregon Coast Aquarium! Join us in looking at some of our milestones throughout the years.

In the early 1980s, Newport’s economy took a dramatic downturn when both the timber and commercial fishing industries fell upon hard times. It was clear then that the community needed a broader economic base to insulate it from single-industry economic ups and downs. A panel of community leaders from the public and private sectors convened to brainstorm ways to stimulate the economy in the Yaquina Bay area. The Aquarium’s founders included representatives of Newport’s commercial, municipal, financial and private sectors. This broad-based group—now incorporated as the Yaquina Bay Economic Foundation—was ideally suited to creating a facility serving both a growing tourist market and the year-round, resident population

The Oregon Coast Aquarium became incorporated as a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization in 1984. With master plan and feasibility study in hand, the Aquarium began fundraising in earnest in 1987. Over $11.5 million was raised from a broad partnership of public and private agencies, corporations, foundations and individuals. An additional $14 million was financed through tax-free bond anticipation notes issued by the State Treasurer and the Oregon Health, Housing, Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority and underwritten by United States National Bank of Oregon.

May 23, 1992

The Aquarium's grand opening on May 23, 1992 was heralded by news organizations throughout the state as a landmark event. Nine months later, the facility had already hosted its first million visitors—eight months sooner than projected. Within four years, the Aquarium had become the second most popular attraction in the state and was named by Parade magazine as one of the top 10 aquariums in the country.

The Keiko Years

With the arrival of Keiko set for January, 1996, Mountain States Construction Co. was brought in to build the open ocean facility where the killer whale would reside for the next 2½ years while being rehabilitated at the Aquarium. With Keiko the killer whale's internationally broadcast arrival at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, the facility became known around the world.

While Keiko made international news, the Aquarium also boasted a variety of changing exhibits including: Fins & Fangs, Deep Sea Treasures, Seasons of the Salmon, What About Whales, FROGS! Clues to Survival, Forest Puzzles, Fatal Beauties, To See the Sea, Discovery Bay, and Jellies: Jewels of the Sea.

Passages of the Deep

After Keiko departed for Icelandic waters in September of 1998, Mountain States Construction Co. retrofitted Keiko’s former home into an undersea ocean environment. Passages of the Deep—a 200 foot long acrylic tunnel snaking its way through three ocean habitats opened to the public on May 27, 2000 and produced a dramatic spike in attendance within six months of opening.

AZA Accredited

In 2000, the Association of Zoos & Aquariums announced that the Oregon Coast Aquarium was granted accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission. AZA Accreditation is a status that denotes the highest standard of animal care and welfare. Accreditation renewal takes place every five years—22 years and 4 renewals later, the Aquarium continues to maintain this status, reflecting its enduring commitment to animal welfare and ocean advocacy.

2004

In May of 2004, the Aquarium opened a Clear Channel Exhibits traveling museum display, Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats, an interactive exhibit featuring the world of bats. This was the first of the Aquarium’s commitment to rebuilding its temporary exhibit program. Providing quality exhibits on a rotating schedule while major capital expansion projects are being planned helps maintain public interest in the Aquarium.

2005

In 2005 Turtle Trek; A Journey of Survival debuted as a colorful and interactive exhibit featuring 17 species of turtles, showing why their survival is in danger and what can be done. Also in 2005, Coastal Living and USA Today listed the Oregon Coast Aquarium among the top-ten world class Aquariums.

2006

In 2006 Claws was opened. This colorful exhibit explored the strange and diverse world of crabs, lobsters, shrimp, isopods and copepods.

2007

In 2007 the Aquarium hosted the temporary exhibit “In Search of Giant Squid” exhibit that featured an actual giant squid beak and suckers, examples of squid prey, squid eggs, and interactive signage that allowed visitors to compare their size to that of a giant squid.

Aquarium attendance continued to climb; up for the third consecutive year as Parents Magazine named the Oregon Coast Aquarium among the best aquariums in the nation in an article titled, “The 10 Best Aquariums for Kids.”

2008

In 2008, the Oddwater exhibit was covered in national news by Associated Press, saying, “Odd isn't necessarily ugly. And in the case of Oddwater, the latest exhibit to open at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, strange often equals beautiful, regardless of whether you're talking about marine life or its artificial habitat." The Aquarium also garnered three more top 10 ratings in 2008; Forbes Traveler, Trip Advisor and Trailer Life Magazines.

2009

In 2009, the Aquarium introduced two 18 month-old turkey vultures to a newly-constructed aviary. The names, “Ichabod” and “Olive” were selected from public entries in a Name the Turkey Vulture contest. The birds, male and female siblings, were rescued from the Raptor Education group in Antigo, Wisconsin.

2010

In 2010, Swampland, a vibrant exhibit featuring three different freshwater swamp habitats, debuted on Memorial Day weekend. Washed Ashore, an exhibit of sculptures made from plastics found on Oregon beaches, opened in Passages of the Deep. The Aquarium completed its role in rehabilitating two stranded sea turtles in January when the turtles were flown to the SeaWorld Turtle Rehabilitation Center where they completed their recovery and were released back into the wild.

2011

In 2011, Beauty and the Birds, a photography exhibit featuring birds in their native habitats by photographers Susan and Steve Dimock, opened in Passages of the Deep. The Aquarium co-hosted Lincoln County’s first ever K-12 Ocean Literacy Symposium in Newport. This program was a collaborative effort with Lincoln County School District, Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center and Oregon Sea Grant.

2012

In 2012, the Aquarium observed its 20th Anniversary on Memorial Day weekend. The Sea & Me, an interactive exhibit inspired by children’s museums, opened Memorial Day weekend. The exhibit features colorful displays and play experiences that invite curiosity.

2013

In 2013, the Aquarium unveiled a newly remodeled Seal and Sea Lion Exhibit. The changes quadrupled the number of visitors that can see inside the exhibit at a given time. The Aquarium also partnered with the Oregon Coast Community College Foundation to host Oyster Cloyster as a fundraiser for the Aquarium and the College’s Aquarium Science Program.

2014

In 2014, Aquarium scientific divers documented sea star wasting syndrome for the first time on Oregon’s coast. The Aquarium also welcomed two orphaned sea otter pups to its exhibits. In October, Aquarium divers documented juvenile stars on the Oregon coast for the first time after sea star wasting struck. The Aquarium performed rescue and triage on three olive ridley sea turtle, who were then transported to SeaWorld San Diego for further rehabilitation and eventual release.

2015

In 2015, the Aquarium unveiled Secrets of Shipwrecks: Part History. Part Mystery. an exhibit interpreting the science of underwater exploration and artificial reefs, on Memorial Day weekend. A group of yellowtail jacks and barred knifejaws were also acquired from tsunami wreckage, treated, and added to the Aquarium’s Open Sea and California Kelp Forest exhibits.

The Aquarium also rehabilitated an olive ridley sea turtle that stranded on a beach in Washington

2016

In 2016, the Aquarium welcomed two rescued sea lions to its exhibits, Catalina and Rosa. The Aquarium treated a trio of stranded olive ridley sea turtles, including Thunder and Lightning, who were then transported to SeaWorld San Diego for further rehabilitation. The Aquarium also released a rehabilitated Western snowy plover and partnered with OSU and ODFW researchers to monitor fishes in marine reserves. For its advertising campaign titled “Sea Spectacular” the Oregon Coast Aquarium won the 2016 Max Award for Print Advertising, presented by the American Marketing Association of Portland.

2017

In 2017, the Aquarium hosted Big Bites, an exhibit featuring creatures with various feeding adaptations. A rescued ambassador Virginia opossum was added to the Aquarium’s ambassador animal program. In partnership with NOAA and OSU, Aquarium staff participated in a nine-day cruise off the coast to study the changing ocean conditions in the North Pacific. The Aquarium also assisted OSU researchers in testing unmanned gliders to monitor underwater sound pollution. In its rehabilitation efforts, the Aquarium rescued a rare brown booby and assisted in its relocation to San Pedro, California. The Aquarium also released two young Western snowy plovers that were rescued by ODFW biologists, and the three olive ridley turtles rescued by the Aquarium in 2014 were released by SeaWorld San Diego. The Oregon State Governor proclaimed May 23, 2017 as Oregon Coast Aquarium Day, and the Aquarium was among winners of the 2016 Travel and Tourism Industry Achievement Award. The Aquarium was ranked #7 of Tripping.com’s “The 12 Best Aquariums in the U.S. For 2017” and #6 of 18 in the Travel Channel’s “Best U.S. Aquariums.”

2018

In 2018, the Aquarium successfully rehabilitated and released an entangled northern fur seal pup. The Aquarium also successfully raised funds for a new sea otter holding facility. Many west coast wildlife rehabilitation centers saw an influx of common murre chicks, including the Aquarium. The Aquarium’s youth team won first place at the Salmon Bowl at Oregon State University. The Aquarium won “Outstanding social Media Program Award” at the Oregon Governor Conference. MSN.com ranked the Aquarium as #6 in their “The 7 Most Amazing Aquariums in the U.S.” and Mommynearest ranked the Aquarium as #8 in “10 Best Aquariums for Kids in the U.S.”

2019

In 2019, the Aquarium announced its $18.2 Million Capital Campaign for Remodel, Renovation and Marine Rehabilitation Center. SEAPUNK: Powered by Imagination, a temporary steam-punk themed exhibit, opened. The Aquarium and partners hosted “Rise Above Plastic Pollution Day” at the Oregon State Capitol. The Aquarium youth team placed sixth at the National Ocean Sciences Bowl in Washington D.C. The Aquarium and Seniors Advocates for Generational Equity (SAGE) hosted a “Future of Our Oceans” event with Dr. Sylvia Earle. The Aquarium was included in TravelZoo’s “The Best Aquariums in the U.S.”

2020

In 2020, the Aquarium experienced long-term closures and suffered nearly $6 million in revenue loss due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The Aquarium started an emergency relief fund to help support operating costs. The Aquarium temporarily paused all scheduled public feedings and programs and followed state and county COVID-19 guidelines. During the Aquarium’s closure, the Newport Symphony Orchestra collaborated with the Aquarium to provide sound-based enrichment for the otters. The Aquarium mourned the loss of two sea lions, Max and Quill. The Aquarium rescued and triaged three stranded sea turtles. Tripping.com ranked the Aquarium #7 or 12 in “The 12 Best Aquariums in the U.S. for 2020.”

2021

In 2021, the Aquarium was able to reopen to the public after closures due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The Aquarium joined the Aquarium Conservation Partnership. Cruisin’ the Fossil Coastline, a temporary exhibit based on artist Ray Troll’s book of the same name, was unveiled. A rescued southern sea otter pup, Earle, was welcomed to the Aquarium’s exhibits. The Aquarium received a $5 million grant from the Roundhouse Foundation to support the Aquarium’s capital campaign for remodel, renovation, and development. The Aquarium was also set to receive a $5 million appropriation to support the second phase of the Aquarium’s capital campaign, due to Oregon Senate Bill 5534, which allocates funds from the state’s lottery bonds. The Marcia H. Randall Foundation awarded the Aquarium a $500,000 challenge grant for Phase I of its capital campaign. The Aquarium’s aquarists used innovative methods to apply splints and buoyancy aids to spider crabs with limited mobility. A stranded loggerhead sea turtle was rescued and triaged at the Aquarium, and was then sent to SeaWorld San Diego for further rehabilitation and eventual release. Travel and Leisure included the Aquarium in its “10 Best Aquariums in the U.S.”

2022

May 23, 2022, marked 30 years of supporting marine life and inspiring ocean conservation on Oregon’s central coast. The Oregon Coast Aquarium’s progress would not be possible without the support of our generous donors, members, volunteers, and visitors; thank you for joining us in our mission to inspire ocean conservation.

As OCAq enters its next thirty years, all eyes are on the horizon—the Aquarium will continue to broaden its impact, increasing its ability to engage visitors and serve marine wildlife.

“The Aquarium began as an idea to encourage growth in our coastal communities, and over the last thirty years we’ve done that and so much more,” said OCAq President and CEO Carrie Lewis. “We’ve rehabilitated endangered species, we’ve fostered strong ties with our community partners, and we’ve introduced millions to the splendor of the Oregon coast. The next thirty years are bound to be just as rewarding.”

2023

The Oregon Coast Aquarium continues to inspire ocean
conservation. In early 2023, Aquarium mammalogists assisted in a life-saving mission to
detangle a stranded fur seal during a field excursion in Washington State. Just
a few weeks later, staff announced their progress in developing an effective treatment plan for Sea Star Wasting Syndrome, a deadly set of symptoms that have decimated sea star
populations in recent years. And, in an ongoing partnership with the Oregon
Kelp Alliance, University of Oregon faculty researchers, and other coastal
conservation-focused groups, the Aquarium’s research dive
team continues to collect vital data concerning the health of Oregon’s kelp
forests.