Future of Vancouver Aquarium at Risk

Non-profit organization Ocean Wise asks community to donate and help #SaveVancouverAquarium from bankruptcy by early summer

The not-for-profit Vancouver Aquarium – Canada’s oldest and largest aquarium, opened in 1956 – is at risk of bankruptcy by early summer due to loss of revenue from the coronavirus closure. 

Home to more than 70,000 animals – including rescued sea otters, sea lions, seals, jellies, fish, birds and insects – basic animal care and habitat costs at the Vancouver Aquarium exceed $1 million dollars each month. But since closing to the public on March 17, revenue at the Aquarium has dropped to almost zero. 

The loss of revenue has forced Ocean Wise Conservation Association, the Vancouver Aquarium’s parent organization, to take extraordinary measures to reduce costs so that essential animal care and facilities management can continue. These measures include laying off 331 staff (60% of the workforce), closing the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, halting important maintenance projects, and reviewing the feasibility of some research, conservation and education programs. Many remaining staff are on reduced work weeks and Ocean Wise senior leaders have taken voluntary pay cuts. 

For an organization that is normally open to the public 365 days a year, a closure of this duration has been catastrophic to Ocean Wise and its work. The not-for-profit Vancouver Aquarium is rapidly depleting its reserve funds, and by early summer will be facing bankruptcy if significant funding is not realized. 

“It is heartbreaking to imagine that the Vancouver Aquarium may cease to exist but that is the reality we are fighting against” said Clint Wright, the Vancouver Aquarium’s Chief Operating Officer, EVP of OceanWise and a 30 year veteran of the organization. “The Vancouver Aquarium can’t turn off the lights and lock the doors. 

Our 70,000 animals still need to be taken care of. They require specialized diets and expert care from veterinary staff, trainers and biologists. Our animals rely on us for managing every aspect of their environment – temperature, salinity, lighting, oxygen. For most of our aquatic animals this means our team of professional engineers and water quality technicians working around the clock. As a not-for-profit aquarium that receives no government funding for operations, we are almost entirely reliant upon revenues from visitors.”

Bankruptcy of the Vancouver Aquarium would not only mean the end of a beloved local institution visited by more than 1 million people each year, it would also result in the permanent closure of Canada’s only Marine Mammal Rescue Facility which rescues and rehabilitates 150 marine animals in distress each year. It would mean the end of Ocean Wise’s education programs (560,000 children and youth participants in 2019) and volunteer programs (1451 active volunteers in 2019). It would jeopardize world recognized whale research programs, pioneering ocean plastic research programs and ocean pollution research programs. It would also impact the success of the Ocean Wise Sustainable Seafood program and Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup program. Furthermore, it would erase one of British Columbia’s top tourist attractions.

“In my 10 years of involvement with the Vancouver Aquarium and Ocean Wise we have never faced anything this dire” said Randy Pratt, Board Chair of Ocean Wise Conservation Association. “We can’t let this organization disappear. It brings so much to the community. From educational programs for youth, a much-loved volunteer program, not to mention a place for people to learn about the ocean and why it needs protecting. We are calling on all our supporters now to help us.”

The situation is particularly upsetting given the fact the Vancouver Aquarium was on an exciting period of reinvention. In 2017, Ocean Wise Conservation Association was launched as the Vancouver Aquarium’s parent organization. 

In 2019, international conservationist, Lasse Gustavsson (formerly of WWF International) was hired as its president and CEO. Plans were underway for a new, immersive climate focused exhibit, in a few years’ time. The Vancouver Aquarium is appealing to government and the community to help raise funds to support critical animal care until the Aquarium can reopen. 

“Like many other non-profit organizations, Ocean Wise is rapidly depleting our reserve funds in order to care for the animals at the Vancouver Aquarium” said Lasse Gustavsson, Ocean Wise’s President & CEO. “The worst-case scenario is certainly the permanent closure of a 60-year-old marine science centre. But even the best-case scenario of reopening this summer will put us years behind on our ocean conservation, research, education and environmental engagement goals. We are hopeful we will be able to continue these important initiatives for marine life well into the future. We understand that people are struggling right now and we are collectively facing a very real health crisis. However, the Vancouver Aquarium needs community support right now. To everyone who has ever visited the Aquarium, volunteered here, brought your grandkids here, held a birthday party here, or participated in an education program at the Vancouver Aquarium, we need your support now more than ever. We ask those who can, to please help us by donating at VanAqua.org/SaveVA.”