Blog & News - Page 5 of 73 - Clearwater Marine Aquarium

First North Atlantic Right Whale Calves Documented of 2025-2026 Season

Updated December 9, 2025 Posted December 8, 2025

The first North Atlantic right whales of the 2025-2026 calving season have been spotted by researchers from Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI). The sighting marks a critical milestone at the start of the annual calving season, which begins each November. With another being spotted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservations Commission (FWC), this brings the total calves spotted to three.

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Boreas

Updated March 9, 2026 Posted December 5, 2025

Boreas is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found floating and swimming abnormally near Fort DeSoto on Nov. 30th. Boreas has no external abnormalities and is in overall good body condition.

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Athena

Updated January 12, 2026 Posted December 5, 2025

Athena is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found out of habitat in the Steinhatchee area in Dixie county on Nov. 25th. Athena was rescued by our partners at UF Marine Animal Rescue and then transported to CMA. It is believed Athena was stranded out of habitat because of a recent king tide event. Athena has a small case of fibropapilloma tumors and is in overall good body condition.

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Magnolia

Updated March 9, 2026 Posted December 3, 2025

Magnolia is a large, juvenile green sea turtle who was found floating near New Port Richey in Pasco county on Nov. 12th. Magnolia has healed injuries to their caudal carapace and rear flippers from a previous traumatic event. Magnolia is otherwise in a good body condition and active. We will be performing diagnostics over the next few days to help determine the cause of their buoyancy issues.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Welcomes Three New Manatee Patients

Posted November 11, 2025

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) has officially reopened its Manatee Rehabilitation Center and welcomed its first new patients of the year—three juvenile manatees named Sabal, Orchid, and Vora. The reopening marks a major milestone for CMA, after more than a year of closure due to extensive hurricane damage, sustaining over $2.5 million in damages from Hurricanes Helene and Milton during the 2024 season.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Reports Record Breaking Sea Turtle Nest Season Results

Updated December 9, 2025 Posted November 7, 2025

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is celebrating a historic milestone following its most successful sea turtle nesting season on record, running from May through October.

Right Whale Festival, With Theme “Untangling the Truth,” Returns to Amelia Island Nov. 1-2

Posted October 23, 2025

The beloved Right Whale Festival returns to Main Beach Park on Amelia Island this Nov. 1–2, bringing a weekend packed with fun, education, and conservation-focused activities for all ages. Kicking off at 10 a.m. daily, this year’s festival will feature over 100 exhibitors, live music, hands-on ocean-themed activities, arts and crafts, food trucks, and life-sized whale models provided by Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Presents Whale Expert Dr. Michael J. Moore at Marine Life Speaker Series

Posted October 23, 2025

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is proud to host the next installment of Echoes of the Ocean: A Marine Life Speaker Series on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Dolphin Tale Theater. This dynamic evening will feature world-renowned veterinary scientist and right whale expert, Dr. Michael J. Moore, from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Trick or Treat with the Fishes as Clearwater Marine Aquarium Hosts Halloween Spookquarium Oct. 31

Posted October 14, 2025

Clearwater Marine Aquarium will transform into a Halloween Spookquarium Friday, Oct. 31from 3 – 6 p.m., as it hosts a family-friendly evening of eerie excitement and Halloween fun to create memories with family and friends.

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Fig

Updated November 25, 2025 Posted October 14, 2025

Fig is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found entangled in fishing line near Hudson, FL on Sept. 21, 2025. The entanglement caused a small ligature injury to their right front flipper. Fig also has fibropapilloma tumors with a large tumor on their left eye that is obstructing their vision. Fig’s initial treatment plan consisted of fluids and vitamin injections.