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The Oregon Coast Aquarium sits at the edge of the vast Pacific Ocean. From here, the ocean spans across the globe, touching Asia, Oceania, and countless other islands. Beyond seas and bays, the Indian Ocean reaches the Middle East and Africa. Animals and plants that live in these far-reaching waters depend on humans to keep the ocean healthy, and people on land everywhere depend on ocean ecosystems.
The re-imagined Connected Coasts gallery, formerly Coastal Waters, reflects the interconnectedness of ocean ecosystems, with new exhibits that highlight diverse marine life found near and far from the Oregon coast, and the conservation efforts that protect them.
Connected Coasts houses iconic tropical species, including potbelly seahorses, lionfish, and live corals, which were diligently reared behind-the-scenes over the past several years in preparation for the gallery’s debut.
This habitat was made possible thanks to long-time Aquarium board member and supporter Al Gleason, who believed that our guests should have the opportunity to see the tropical environments found at the edges of the Pacific Ocean in contrast to our Oregon Coast exhibits. His gift was matched by our incredibly dedicated volunteers, making Al’s vision a reality.
The Indo-Pacific has some of the most stunning and diverse reefs in the world. This habitat lets guests see eye-to-eye with vibrant fishes and corals. Home to yellow tang, birdnose wrasse, yellowband angelfish, sea goldies and many more, this habitat is among the most colorful at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
Kelp forests provide food, shelter, and protection for all kinds of marine life. Known as nursery habitat, kelp forests are especially important to juvenile fish and invertebrates, who hide among the fronds as they grow into adulthood.
Most of Oregon’s kelp forests are found offshore of the central and southern parts of the state, increasing in frequency down the coast of Northern California. This habitat includes species native to both Oregon and California, all of which heavily rely on kelp forests.
Coral reefs account for less than one percent of the Earth’s surface, yet they provide food and shelter to almost a quarter of the animals living in the ocean! A single piece of coral is made of hundreds to hundreds of thousands of individual live animals, called polyps. These polyps are closely related to sea anemones. Like anemones, they catch food with their soft tentacles. There are stony corals and soft corals. Stony corals, like brain corals, with their hard, limestone skeleton, build coral reefs. Softs corals, such as sea fans and sea whips, do not have a hard skeleton. Both stony and soft corals are represented in Connected Coasts.
Stony corals are slow-growing and, depending on the type, only grow between 2mm and 10cm per year! The live corals featured here were carefully reared behind-the-scenes over the past several years, all in preparation for this gallery.
In the center of Connected Coasts stands the Sea Mount, a representation of the ecosystems formed by underwater mountains that rise from the seafloor. Featuring faux corals and rockwork, guests can get 360° views of the mount as eels weave through the cracks and crevices.
This exhibit represents a mangrove habitat typical of the south Pacific, which includes places like Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. Mangroves are groups of trees and shrubs that live in the coastal intertidal zone, serving a key role in healthy ecosystems. Thanks to their tall, densely tangled roots, mangroves can thrive in areas with low-oxygen soil and changing water levels. Their roots slow the flow of tidal waters, reducing erosion, allowing sediment to build up, and stabilizing the coastline. Mangrove forests also act as nursery habitat where baby animals can find food and shelter, growing until they’re strong enough to survive in the open seas.
Often found together, mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs work together. Mangrove trees trap sediment and pollutants that would otherwise flow out to sea, while seagrass beds stand in the way of silt and mud that could smother reefs. In return, reefs buffer mangroves and seagrass beds against strong waves.
This habitat includes fish that would typically reside among mangrove forests, seeking shelter among their stilt-like roots.
As part of the Aquarium’s plan for indoor gallery improvements, Connected Coasts was the third of our indoor galleries to open following major renovations. We updated tanks, installed new signage, and introduced unique species found at the edges of the Pacific.
