Luna, Shelldon and the romp of otters are among the many exciting animals that are drawing visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) in record numbers—500,000 in a year to be exact. For the Aquarium team, more is more. More students, children and families who come for the animals and leave with inspiration. Reaching a broader audience is at the core of the Aquarium mission to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments.
“Our staff and volunteers are jubilant. We are passionate about creating an exceptional experience for everyone who walks through our doors and committed to inspiring individual action to protect the many fascinating animals at the Aquarium,” said Hap Fatzinger, director, NCAFF.
NCAFF and its sister facilities, the North Carolina Aquariums at Pine Knoll Shores and Roanoke Island, opened in 1976 as marine resources centers with a combined visitation of 341,000 in their first year of operation. Jennette’s Pier, the oldest fishing pier on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, rounded out the facilities in 2002. The four are among the 100 locations across the state under the management of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The 92,000-square-foot Aquarium features 400,000 gallons of freshwater and saltwater habitats with a collection of 240 species and 3,893 animals. Some of the animals create an instant connection—Luna, the albino alligator, two Asian small-clawed otter families, Shelldon, the green sea turtle, two loggerhead hatchling sea turtles, two sand tiger sharks, a bonnethead shark and Maverick the bald eagle. All of them endearing and most of them facing extinction.
“With so much at stake, sharing the story of these species takes on greater importance. A trip through the Aquarium is truly an immersive experience sparking solidarity with our mission in so many visitors and we hope it has a ripple effect,” said Deyanira Romo Rossell, communications manager, NCAFF.
For the Aquarium, the most important takeaways are that individual actions can make a difference. Some green steps that anyone can take are switching away from single-use plastics to reusable water bottles, shopping bags and straws. More sustainability information is available at Green and Getting Greener. The NC Aquariums are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the gold standard for animal care and conservation.
“Because of the popularity of our animals, habitats and exhibits, anyone who wants to visit the Aquarium should plan ahead and reserve their tickets online. Especially during the summer months, we have visitors who decide to stop by without tickets and find that we are sold out. We want the experience to be streamlined and special from the beginning to end, so planning ahead can make all the difference,” said Joanna Zazzali, visitor services manager, NCAFF.
The Aquarium is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., only closing on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day. Advanced online tickets are required to visit the Aquarium. Visit NCAFF Admissions to secure your tickets.
About the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington, on U.S. 421. The site is less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $12.95 ages 13-61; $10.95 children ages 3-12; $11.95 seniors (62 and older) and military with valid identification; EBT card holders: $3. Free admission for children 2 and younger and N.C. Aquarium Society members and N.C. Zoo members.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the North Carolina Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.ncdcr.gov.