Vancouver Aquarium’s
Long-Term Future Assured!

We are very happy to announce that the long-term sustainability of the Vancouver Aquarium, and the affiliated Marine Mammal Rescue program, have been assured thanks to an agreement to transfer ownership to Herschend Enterprises! The new relationship ensures the continuation of the Vancouver Aquarium’s 64-years of success as an animal care and animal rescue facility, a cherished educational venue, and one of BC’s top tourist and event destinations. Although we don’t have a date yet, we are already working on a safe re-opening plan! We look forward to sea-ing you again soon! 

FAQ

FAQ

Click/tap to read answers. 

What does this mean for my Membership?

All updates on Vancouver Aquarium membership will be posted to the membership page.


When will the Vancouver Aquarium reopen?

We don’t have a date yet but we are working on it! Our priority is the health and safety of our animals and guests. It goes without saying that any re-opening would adhere to all directives and guidance from public health authorities.


Will Marine Mammal Rescue continue at Vancouver Aquarium with the new owners?

Yes! Herschend is committed to the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue program and this will continue to be a focus.


What does this change mean for Ocean Wise and its conservation programs including Ocean Wise Seafood, Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, Ocean Bridge, and others?

Ocean Wise Conservation Association is well poised to continue and accelerate its bold an ambitious A Decade to Turn the Tide: 2030 conservation strategy to improve the health of the world’s oceans. Not only will it continue as an independent charitable non-profit with existing programs such as the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, Ocean Wise Seafood, Ocean Bridge and many others – it will also scale and replicate its successful initiatives across Canada and globally.



 



Hundreds of thousands of people of all ages participate in Ocean Wise programs every year. This number continues to grow rapidly as people from all walks of life join Ocean Wise’s wave of change to address the health of our oceans. Thanks to the support of thousands of individual donors, government grants, corporate partners and philanthropic foundations, Ocean Wise has a diversity of funders working with us to drive deep change over the coming decade.  In addition, Herschend has committed to empowering Ocean Wise’s conservation work through an annual donation of 1% of gross revenues from the Vancouver Aquarium. Ocean Wise will continue to be led by renowned conservationist, Lasse Gustavsson. For more information, visit ocean.org.


What does this mean for my Vancouver Aquarium or Ocean Wise donation?

General information about donations can be found at ocean.org/support. Please contact [email protected] with specific questions.


I donated to the Save the Vancouver Aquarium campaign and/or purchased a Vancouver Aquarium x Whitecaps Mask in support of the Aquarium. How was my money used?

Everyone who donated to the Save the Vancouver Aquarium campaign and/or purchased items from the vanaquashop.org site over the past year did just that. You helped save the Vancouver Aquarium from permanent closure, and you helped support the care and feeding of our animals at our time of critical need. Aquarium supporters like you gave us the critical months needed to undergo a strategic process to ensure the long-term future of the Vancouver Aquarium.  Thank you for your support!