West Boothbay Harbor - The Maine State Aquarium, a program of the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR), will re-open Wednesday, June 26th with a redesigned interior, new exhibits and displays, and an improved visitor experience.
Members of the press, Governor Janet Mills, and Representative Holly Stover, whose strong advocacy in the legislature secured $850,000 in the state budget for the Aquarium re-build, received a preview of the new space on Monday, June 24th two days prior to the opening.
The Aquarium, which closed its doors in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings, has been undergoing updates that included renovations to walls and floors, and upgrades to the pumps and filters necessary to safely hold and display animals.
Updates also include new display tanks that will feature a variety of sea life found in the Gulf of Maine and provide an up-close view of animals and plants interacting with each other and the marine environment.
Two 1300-gallon tanks have been custom fabricated to resemble the rocky Maine coastline and configured to ensure compliance with animal care standards. Aquarium educators will be stationed at the touch tanks to answer questions and to help visitors interact safely with different species.
New interactive exhibits will highlight some of the exciting research DMR conducts to protect and manage vital Gulf of Maine resources.
The Aquarium will also feature profiles of Department of Marine Resources scientists working on groundbreaking research, as well as arts and crafts for children.
In addition to the Aquarium, an adjacent space named the Learning Lab will open on the 26th, providing visitors a more in-depth look at DMR research. The Learning Lab will feature additional informational displays and scheduled talks by DMR Science staff on the research that helps protect and sustain Maine’s valuable marine resources and environment. A schedule will be posted on Aquarium’s website and social media sites.
“I was excited to join the Department of Marine Resources and Representative Stover in reopening the new and improved Maine State Aquarium,” said Governor Janet Mills. “The new Aquarium will educate and inspire visitors, offering them a unique opportunity to see and learn about our state’s rich and diverse marine life and the environment in which they live. I encourage Maine people to visit the Maine State Aquarium and enjoy all it has to offer.”
"The revitalization of the Maine State Aquarium represents a significant milestone for our community,” said State Representative Holly B. Stover. “This facility not only provides an educational and recreational venue for families and visitors but also reinforces our commitment to marine conservation and education." She highlighted the new features, including an interactive touch tank, as a testament to the dedication and hard work invested in the project.
“We are grateful for the support of Representative Stover,” said DMR Commissioner Patrick Keliher. “The state’s investment in this important educational resource will help us provide a world-class experience for all ages here in West Boothbay Harbor. Our hope is to help visitors gain a deeper appreciation of the ocean, and to motivate future generations to support the health of the marine environment.”
“I’m thrilled to finally be ready to open our doors to the public,” said Director of DMR’s Science Bureau, Carl Wilson. “We look forward to serving as an important resource for educators, students, and anyone who is as passionate as we are about the dynamic Gulf of Maine environment.”
For information on the summer schedule at the Maine State Aquarium, visit https://www.maine.gov/dmr/aquarium
To connect with the Aquarium through social media visit the following:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mainestateaquarium
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mainestateaquarium/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MaineAquarium
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/maine-aquarium/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNBUv3_8hCbZE8xJmwvo-Lg
Subscribe to notices from the Aquarium at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MEDMR/subscriber/new