Aquarium News

Seabird Safety

April 28, 2022

OCAq takes preventative measures against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza The Oregon Coast Aquarium is taking measures to protect its resident birds against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). HPAI is an avian disease that is transmitted between birds through their saliva, mucous, and feces. The global spread of HPAI is driven in part by migratory waterfowl, […]

Rare Nazca Booby Receives Care at Oregon Coast Aquarium

January 19, 2022

Newport, Oregon — After receiving care at the Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq), a Nazca Booby (Sula granti) caught a flight to International Bird Rescue in Los Angeles, California for continued rehabilitation and eventual release. The bird was initially found hunkered down on the docks of Newport’s historic bayfront, over 3,000 miles away from its native […]

Injured Sea Otter Receives Care at Oregon Coast Aquarium

December 1, 2021

Notice: this story was edited on December 06, 2021. Please scroll down to see the most up-to-date information. Newport, Oregon — An injured sea otter that hauled ashore on Cobble Beach at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is now under assessment and care at the Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq). The sea otter was observed hauled ashore by Chief […]

Oregon Coast Aquarium Commences Construction

October 19, 2021

Newport, Oregon — The tides are turning at the Oregon Coast Aquarium; guests may notice hard hats and high-visibility vests juxtaposed with the sights of our scenic estuary. The changing landscape is a sure sign of what’s to come: crews have broken ground on the construction of a new Children’s Nature Play Area, Outdoor Amphitheater, […]

Oregon Coast Aquarium is Otterly Delighted to Welcome New Pup

July 29, 2021

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is honored to announce a new addition to its sea otter raft: Earle the southern sea otter pup. Earle was found stranded at Asilomar State Marine Reserve in Pacific Grove, California in May of 2021. Earle was cold and lethargic, and his mother could not be located. The cause of Earle’s […]

Oregon Coast Aquarium to Receive $5 Million Appropriation

June 25, 2021

Newport, Oregon — State Legislature is set to approve Senate Bill 5534, which will allocate $5 million from the state’s lottery bonds to support Phase II of the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s (OCAq) five-year capital campaign. State Representative David Gomberg, who serves as a Co-Vice Chair on the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, acted as […]

Oregon Coast Aquarium Receives Largest Grant Ever from Roundhouse Foundation

April 26, 2021

Newport, Oregon — The Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq) has received the largest grant in its history, in the amount of $5 million, courtesy of the Roundhouse Foundation. The Roundhouse Foundation is located in Sisters, Oregon, and supports solutions to the challenges associated with rural culture and landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Their primary areas of focus […]

When Turtles Fly: Stranded Loggerhead Catches Flight to San Diego

February 23, 2021

Newport, Oregon — Early this month a private citizen reported a stranded turtle on Nelscott Beach near Lincoln City, Oregon. From the moment the Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq) received the call, a plan of action quickly unfolded. OCAq’s Curator of Fish and Invertebrates, Evonne Mochon-Collura, called Jim Rice of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, who stationed […]

Volunteers Support Aquarium Amid Pandemic

December 15, 2020

Newport, Oregon—Diving into tanks, maintaining grounds, preparing diets, and educating guests—it’s all a day in the life of a volunteer at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Volunteers offer their support Aquarium-wide, from working on special projects and clerical work to preparing food for the animals. Dive volunteers plunge into cold waters to clean exhibits, horticulture volunteers […]

Two Sea Turtles Stranded on Oregon Beaches

December 15, 2020

Newport, Oregon — Two Olive Ridley sea turtles have been found on Oregon beaches within the past month, indicating a change in ocean conditions and the potential for more strandings as winter approaches. An adult female Olive Ridley sea turtle was reported stranded on a beach in Lincoln City earlier this week. The Marine Mammal Stranding […]