Blog & News - Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Resident Dolphin Health Updates

Updated May 7, 2026 Posted July 13, 2023

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a working marine animal hospital. All of the resident animals receive routine health checkups and daily animal care and enrichment […]

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Xanthus

Posted July 15, 2026

Xanthus is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was accidentally caught by a fisherman in Cedar Key on May 30th. Xanthus had no injuries from the incidental capture and is in good body condition. They have moderate sized fibropapilloma tumors present on their front flippers. Xanthus’ initial treatment plan consists of fluid therapy.

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Aphrodite

Updated July 14, 2026 Posted July 1, 2026

Aphrodite is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found floating and having difficulty staying submerged in Lee county. Aphrodite is in good body condition. They do have a carapace deformity that causes a “hump-like” appearance. This could have been caused potentially by some sort of trauma as there is an old injury that is healed. Sea turtles with these types of defomities typically have buoyancy issues so we will monitor their swimming behaviors over time and perform diagnostics to help see the cause of their buoyancy.

Summer Sips & Sea Lions, July 11: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Celebrates New California Sea Lions at Pinniped Pier

Updated June 29, 2026 Posted June 25, 2026

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) invites guests to be among the first to meet its newest residents, California sea lions Tuna and Wahoo, during Summer Sips & Sea Lions, a special after-hours event on Saturday, July 11, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Expands Conservation, Education with New Pinniped Pier Habitat, Arrival of California Sea Lions

Updated June 26, 2026 Posted June 25, 2026

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is expanding its conservation and education message with the arrival of two California sea lions and the opening of Pinniped Pier, a new habitat that will provide guests with an immersive opportunity to learn about these charismatic marine mammals.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute Names Dr. Anmari Alvarez-Aleman as New Senior Vice President of Research and Conservation

Updated June 26, 2026 Posted June 23, 2026

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) and Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) announce the appointment of Dr. Anmari Álvarez-Alemán as its new Senior Vice President of Research and Conservation, a key executive leadership role dedicated to advancing the organization’s global impact in marine science, conservation and education.

Drone Training & Capacity Building Workshop: Applications for Manatee Research & Conservation in the Caribbean

Posted June 12, 2026

From March 16-18th, a Drone Training & Capacity Building Workshop was held in the coastal town of Bayahíbe in the southern Dominican Republic, organized by the Wider Caribbean Manatee Alliance (WCMA) with assistance from local partner, the Dominican Foundation for Marine Studies (Fundemar). The WCMA is a program created from a partnership between Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to strengthen regional collaboration to conserve the Greater Caribbean manatee.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Launches Two New Habitats: Wings & Wildlife and Animal Connections Village

Posted June 5, 2026

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is spreading its wings in an exciting new way with the debut of Wings & Wildlife, a brand-new habitat introducing guests to several varieties of tropical birds and tortoises, as well as an Animal Connections Village with two sugar gliders, a chinchilla, and the addition of Benjamin the Virginia opossum.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Mourns the Loss of Dennis Kellenberger, Founder and First Executive Director

Posted May 31, 2026

It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Dennis Kellenberger, one of the founding figures of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer.

Country Mile Entertainment Commences Principal Photography on “Christmas in Clearwater”

Posted May 29, 2026

Country Mile Entertainment has commenced principal photography on Christmas in Clearwater, a coastal Christmas romance starring Katrina Norman (Christmas in Homestead) and Ignacyo Matynia (My Nightmare Landlord), directed by Lindsay Hartley (The Recipe Files). Shooting on location in Florida’s Gulf Coast, the film features the Clearwater Marine Aquarium as both a primary setting and a central element of the story. Christmas in Clearwater is targeting a Christmas 2026 release.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Launches Inaugural “Seas the Day” Luncheon Fundraiser to Support Marine Life Rescue and Care

Posted May 14, 2026

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) proudly hosted its first-ever Seas the Day luncheon fundraiser on Thursday, April 30, bringing together community leaders, partners and supporters for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to marine life rescue, rehabilitation and conservation.