Season Highlights- 2009

The summer weather has left and the west coast has no choice but to gear up and embrace the coming winter. With the end of the season here the aquarium has said goodbye to all of the creatures and people that made this successful season what it was.

Photos, etc. from the release party on October 17th will be available soon, but for now- some eye candy from the season passed. These are a few of the many highlights and give a little taste of what the Ucluelet Aquarium was (and is) all about. Thank you to everyone who visited, contributed, and shared our season. Enjoy!

Giant Pacific Octopus-

This season's giant pacific octopus was truly impressive- though often hiding in her den, her sudden appearance was a beautiful thing to see. [Caylan Piper]

From collection to display-

Intertidal collecting was always great and sharing our discoveries with our guests was a big part of the fun. Caylan shows off a geoduck and Mary introduces the new urchin collection with brave visitors. [Caylan Piper]

Our special VICs-

Puget Sound King Crabs- large, medium, and small! [Caylan Piper]

Sena II brings in the deepwater Grooved Tanner Crab [Caylan Piper]

Our appreciation for bryozoans sky-rocket when using the microscope!! [Mary Vasey]

Water jellies scope the aquarium [Mary Vasey]

Squid, squid, everywhere-

Humboldts wash up on Tofino beaches- a dissection back at home base taught us all about their anatomy and lifestyle [Caylan Piper]

Opalescent squid eggs develop and hatch in the aquarium- check out previous posts that include photo and video time-lines of development [Mary Vasey]

Ukee Days!-

The aquarium set up a booth at the Ukee Days fairgrounds to promote our new facility and give a chance for some hands-on interaction with the community. [Caylan Piper]

That's all for now- have a great winter and we will see you in the spring!

-Mary Vasey, Interpreter

Grand Release Party, October 17.

Join us Saturday, October 17th, at 10:00am for our traditional end-of-season closing party. Each visitor will have a chance to free a display animal from its temporary residence in the aquarium to the waters of Ucluelet Harbour. New display specimens will be collected in the spring in time for the aquarium's re-opening next March.

Here is your chance to participate in this FREE one-of-a-kind experience unique to the Ucluelet Aquarium. Bring the whole family and remember to dress for the weather!

Don't forget to bring your own reusable mug for some yummy hot chocolate and your spare change to donate!

See you there!