Press Releases & Statements

NORWALK, CT  –  With the June 8 opening of “Pinniped Cove,” the harbor seals in The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk now have an enormous, state-of-the-art habitat – and enhanced quality care. The Maritime Aquarium displays five female harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), the species of seal that commonly migrate into Long Island Sound each winter. Their new home is a 160,000-gallon habitat that is 22 feet deep at its deepest point. It’s more than eight times la... Read More

"PINNIPED COVE” QUICK FACTS  •  The exhibit is home to five harbor seals:  Ariel (age 31), Leila (33), Polly (34), Rasal (36) and Tillie (35).  •  The exhibit holds 160,000 gallons of water, and is 22 feet deep at its deepest.  •  It’s the largest aquatic display in The Maritime Aquarium’s 33-year history.   •  “Pinniped Cove” is named for the scientific grouping pinnipedia that includes al... Read More

NORWALK, CT  –  The opening of “Pinniped Cove,” the new home for the harbor seals of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, represents a transformative moment for everyone.  For the five harbor seals that have resided at the Aquarium for decades, “Pinniped Cove” offers 160,000 gallons of water – eight times the size of their original habitat – and depths of 22 feet – a deeper ... Read More

“PINNIPED COVE” PROJECT PARTNERS  State of Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont Department of Transportation WSP   City of Norwalk  Common Council  Mayor Harry Rilling  Construction Solutions Group           (Owner’s Representative)    Design Team  Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP   Jaffe Holden – Acoustics / AV  Silmen – Structural Engineer&... Read More

NORWALK, CT  –  The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is seeking divers who will willingly and regularly volunteer to plunge in among its 7- to 9-foot sharks.  The Aquarium is recruiting experienced scuba divers to join its Volunteer Dive Team to help make public educational presentations from inside the 110,000-gallon “shark tank,” home to six sand tiger shark... Read More

As leading aquariums from around the United States committed to reducing the sources of plastic pollution that are harming our ocean and freshwater environments, we applaud the introduction of the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. We support the Act’s comprehensive approach to helping stem the tide of plastic pollution across the country and around the world — particularly in mountain streams, the Great Lakes, rivers, and bays, as well as our ocean waters. Research shows p... Read More

The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced today that The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is among 30 finalists for the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The Maritime Aquarium is the only aquarium in the U.S.selected as a finalist this year, and one of only two institutions – along with the Ferguson Library in Stamford – named in Connecticut. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given ... Read More

NORWALK, CT  –  As state-mandated capacity restrictions are lifted on Fri., March 19, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is ready with special COVID-19 protocols to welcome in additional guests.  President and CEO Jason Patlis said special measures have been added and refined since the Aquarium’s reopening in June under Gov. Lamont’s reduced-capaci... Read More

NORWALK, CT  –  The guest experience at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk goes to a whole new additional dimension – literally – on Feb. 22 as the South Norwalk family attraction officially debuts its sensational new 4D movie theater.  This new cinematic experience sends the action visually spilling off the two-story screen and over audiences in 3D, in addition to such th... Read More

NORWALK, CT – As prowling sharks and even cartoon ice-age animals begin popping off the screen in The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s new 4D Theater, new and exciting opportunities similarly are taking form as the Aquarium completes its most significant and broadly supported expansions.  The Feb. 22 ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the 169-seat theater celebrates much more than a new movie experience f... Read More