 | - (05/05/2024 06:31:19 am)
Seaside Aquarium added an event! |
 | - (04/30/2024 12:30:22 am)
Every year we find/receive skate egg casings from big skates which have washed up on shore. Unable to simply place the egg casing back into the ocean due to the fact that they would wash back up, we place them in holding tanks in the back of the aquarium. It can take up to 11 months for the embryos inside to fully develop. Once they hatch, we start fattening them up. When they are a few months old and eating well we can release them back into the ocean. We just recently released five big skates. Here is a video of their journey. |
 | - (04/27/2024 03:00:20 pm)
In our opinion, there is no better way to spend a Saturday than getting outdoors. Today, get out there and celebrate our avian friends on their special day! Happy GO BIRDING DAY.
📸SamHeroux/SeasideAquarium |
 | - (04/26/2024 11:45:08 pm)
Everyone loves a Friday afternoon! |
 | - (04/15/2024 11:45:03 pm)
Did you know that there is a killer whale season along the Oregon Coast?
Well, there is and it has just begun. Reports of groups entering Tillamook Bay and Coos Bay have already come in. These whales feed primary on marine mammals. They hunt baby Gray whales as they venture north to their feeding grounds and newly born harbor seals. Your best chance of seeing these magnificent beasts is to find a headland that overlooks a vast part of the ocean or in areas that have a large population of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions). On the northern Oregon Coast, they have been known to come into Nehalem Bay and Tillamook Bay.
For more up to date sightings there are a few Facebook groups you might want to be a part of, Clatsop and Pacific County Whale Sightings and Oregon Killer Whale Monitory Program.
If you do happen to spot killer whales along the Oregon Coast and can get photographs of them researchers are interested in identifying and tracking them. |
 | - (04/12/2024 11:23:04 pm)
They are back! Time to get up early and dust off your binoculars.
The Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) invites you to our annual Puffin Welcome Celebration on April 13th, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach as we celebrate the return of the tufted puffins to Haystack Rock for nesting season. This event offers a day packed with educational activities, talks, and a chance to witness the beauty of these iconic sea birds. Whether you're a seasoned birder or a curious beachgoer, there is something for everyone.
Event Schedule
8:00-12:00 pm: Open House
Learn more about the Haystack Rock Awareness Program, the Wildlife Center of the North Coast, and Friends of Haystack Rock.
9:00 - 9:30: Puffinology 101: Exploring the World of Tufted Puffin
Join us for a 30-minute discussion on tufted puffins! (Available on Instagram/FB live)
10:00-10:30: Puffin Pursuit: Master the Art of Spotting Tufted Puffins.
Learn the best tips and tricks for spotting tufted puffins. Scopes and binoculars will be provided.
10:45-11:00 Predator Game
Become a tufted puffin! Learn the challenges our feather friends face through this interactive game.
11:30: Tufted Puffin Costume Contest
Don your finest tufted puffin costume for a chance to win swag generously donated by Friends of Haystack Rock & Salty Raven. All participants must check-in at the main table by 10:00 AM. The winner will be announced at 11:30 AM. |
 | - (04/11/2024 11:48:04 pm)
It that time of year again when we start to see harbor seal pups on our local beaches.
Oregon and Washington typically see harbor seals born throughout spring and into late summer, while California may see pups as early as January. These young animals use time on land to regulate body temperature and rest. However, if a young pup is onshore alone the mother may not return if humans are too close. Thus, wildlife experts suggest giving seal pups plenty of space by observing them from a distance, and while they are absolutely adorable, do not touch them.
Female seals birth annually after an eleven-month gestation and utilize familiar coastal shores or estuary areas with easy access to water to have their pups. New seals can immediately swim but stay close and ride on their mothers back while they mature.
Seal pups often double in size from birth in 4-6 weeks on a regular diet of mother’s milk with 40% milkfat. While the extra layer of fat makes the pups adorable, the pups depend on that stored body fat to survive foraging on their own as they become more independent. Any interference from humans that could cause early separation between newborn pup and mother could be detrimental to the pup’s ability to survive.
Marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Under this federal law it is illegal to move, touch, harass, feed, or kill marine mammals including seal pups. Harbor seals live on land for nearly half their lives breeding, molting, resting, and raising their offspring. Molting occurs after pups are weaned and to retain warmth and energy molting seals often stay on land for extended periods of time. Human encroachment and domestic dog interactions are challenges for the health and well-being of both young and mature seals.
If you come across a seal pup, please contact the Marine Mammal Stranding Network by calling 1-866-767-6114. Local wildlife officials may post educational signs that encourage the public to keep a safe distance away from the animal while the situation is monitored by experts. Most of the time the animal is healthy and in need of a rest before it rejoins with its mother or re-enters the water. Last year the Seaside Aquarium responded to and placed signs on 21 harbor seal pups all of which successfully left the beach.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Network responds to sightings of seal pups and other injured or dead marine mammals (including whales or dolphins). Responders will act as quickly as possible to assess the situation and obtain information and observations about the animal in question.
For the northern Oregon and southern Washington coast the Seaside Aquarium is the local responder for the Marine Mammal Stranding Network and can be contacted at 503.738.6211. If a stranded marine mammal is found elsewhere the Marine Mammal Hotline at 1.866-767-6114 and they will contact the appropriate stranding network responder for the area. |
 | - (04/06/2024 12:30:06 am)
Tomorrow is Treasure the Beach! Join us from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for our monthly beach cleanup. Registration and supplies are available right outside of the Seaside Aquarium.
For the past 20 years community members and organizations have gathered together for these monthly beach cleanups. We are so lucky to be a part of this community and to be keeping this event going well into the future.
And yes, Heidi will be there! |
 | - (03/29/2024 11:22:04 pm)
Friday vibes are calling for an Aquarium and chill kind of weekend.
📸AllysaCastell/SeasideAquarium |
 | - (03/24/2024 12:28:05 am)
So, 2 decorated guys go into the tank...
One’s a crab, one’s a warbonnet, and the latter is terrified because the former is just creepin on his roof.
📸Allysa/Casteel |
 | - (03/22/2024 09:19:58 pm)
Happy Day of the Seal! Our seals are fortunate to have care takers and visitors daily to love and appreciate them (they actually believe that every day is their day). We just like to thank you for loving them right alongside us!
The holiday was established in 1982 by Congress to raise awareness of the plight of seals. The total number of species of seals was declining due to anthropogenic threats (harvesting for pelts, blubber and meat). Since the 80’s, many seal populations have recovered but it is still important to encourage the cultivation of awareness. |
 | - (03/21/2024 11:16:06 pm)
He’s giving GET OUT OF MY SWAMP energy. |
 | - (03/14/2024 12:08:30 am)
Seaside Aquarium added an event! |
 | - (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 |
 | - (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. |
 | - (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. |
 | - (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. |
 | - (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. |
 | - (03/04/2024 11:44:21 pm)
Seaside Aquarium added an event! |
 | - (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. |
 | - (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. |
 | - (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. |
 | - (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. |
 | - (02/14/2024 11:56:45 pm)
Happy Valentine's Day! |
 | - (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. |
Harbor Seal
Pipefish
Giant Pacific Octopus
Red Eyed Medusa
Spiny Lumpsucker
