First owned by Kelvin Smith, Mystic Aquarium opened in 1973 and is located in Mystic, Connecticut. Its original purpose was to serve as a living laboratory and public exhibit that highlighted some of the most interesting species around the world. Throughout the years, the addition of attractions such as beluga whales and Seal Island boosted the aquarium’s popularity. In 1979, it became part of the Sea Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to marine education and research. In the following years, the Seal Rescue clinic was built and renovations resulted in adding the Arctic Coast exhibit, California Sea Lion show, and the Titanic exhibit (now remodeled into other more recent exhibits). Today, the aquarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to protect marine life and inspire communities to save our oceans. Sea Research achieves this mission through caring, conservation, and collaboration. Home to thousands of marine species of mammals, fish, invertebrates, and reptiles, Mystic Aquarium is vital to research and conservation throughout New England.

Mystic Aquarium participates in many policy and management initiatives. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are government recognized areas where human activities are managed for long-term conservation of natural and cultural resources. MPAs include National Marine Sanctuaries, National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Estuarine Research Reserves, and Marine National Monuments. Partnered with New England Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium played an instrumental role in the establishment of the nation’s first and only marine national monument located offshore from Cape Cod. The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument consists of two underwater canyons and three seamounts. Mystic Aquarium’s research program focuses on MPA research, which includes seafloor recovery, predator-prey interactions, corals of the deep, and habitat mapping of Long Island Sound. Research conducted on MPAs is used to support planning for conservation of vulnerable species, habitats, and communities. It is also used as a tool to ensure fisheries remain sustainable both locally and worldwide. For Mystic Aquarium, these sustainable initiatives start right at home because all the seafood provided to feed the animals is sustainably sourced.

Mystic Aquarium has a veterinary team whose members are experts in the welfare and medical care of aquatic and exotic animal species. The veterinarians look after all aspects of animal health and care for the aquarium animals as well as stranded mammals and sea turtles from Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue program. Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program (ARP) has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sick or injured marine animals along the Northeastern coastline since 1975. Working together with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other government agencies, the Animal Rescue Team responds to around 150 hotline calls every year while also supporting other facilities throughout the country. Most of the patients that are admitted through this program are harbor, gray, harp, and sometimes hooded seals found throughout New England. Most of these seals remain under care for around 2-4 months until they are deemed releasable, and these releases usually take place along Rhode Island’s coastline. For every rescue and rehabilitation, the goal is to be able to release the stranded animal back into the wild, but in some cases it is not always possible. Mystic Aquarium is proud to give excellent long-term care to many animals that are unable to be released.

Mystic Aquarium strives to protect and conserve marine life while conducting extensive research and educating communities. Animals that live under the aquarium’s care are in the best hands possible and help provide connections with visitors, inspire ocean conservation, and give insightful information to scientists and colleagues who work together in collaboration towards the advancements of marine life conservation. 

Resources: 

‌Hary, Pete. “50th Anniversary of the Mystic Aquarium.” Think Mystic, 29 Aug. 2023, mystic.org/2023/08/50th-anniversary-of-the-mystic-aquarium/.

“Mystic Aquarium | Connecticut’s Premier Aquarium.” Mystic Aquarium, www.mysticaquarium.org/.

‌Wikipedia Contributors. “Mystic Aquarium.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Mar. 2025.