The North Carolina Aquariums today celebrate their official 50th anniversary, marking five decades of connecting generations of visitors with North Carolina’s extraordinary aquatic life and environments. A division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), the NC Aquariums are celebrating 50 years of connecting people with the wonders of aquatic life, inspiring appreciation, advancing education, and promoting conservation.
Gov. Josh Stein recognized the milestone with a proclamation honoring the NC Aquariums’ 50th anniversary and their contributions to education, conservation, research, tourism, and communities across the state. The proclamation also recognizes the generations of staff, volunteers, scientists, educators, donors, and visitors who have helped shape the NC Aquariums’ legacy.
Established Sept. 9, 1976, as three Marine Resources Centers at Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores, and Roanoke Island, the NC Aquariums have grown into a statewide system that welcomes more than one million visitors each year. Jennette’s Pier joined the NC Aquariums system in 2011, expanding opportunities for connection with North Carolina’s coastal environment.
Over the past five decades, the NC Aquariums have evolved significantly in both reach and impact. Today, their work spans immersive visitor experiences, science education, aquatic animal care, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, conservation research, and partnerships that help protect aquatic species and habitats across North Carolina.
“For 50 years, the North Carolina Aquariums have been part of growing up, learning, and exploring this state,” said Hap Fatzinger, North Carolina Aquariums director. “For some people, it was a first school field trip or a family vacation. For others, an experience here sparked a lifelong interest in aquatic life or conservation. Those individual moments of wonder add up to an extraordinary 50-year legacy, and we’re incredibly excited about what comes next.”
As the NC Aquariums begin their next half-century, major investments are already shaping what comes next. The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is undergoing a transformational renovation and expansion that will nearly double the size of the facility and introduce new features and experiences, including a major new shark habitat, expanded education spaces, and more opportunities for hands-on learning and animal encounters. Across the NC Aquariums system, continued investments in exhibits, education, animal care, and conservation will help carry that legacy forward for the next generation of visitors.
Celebrations will continue through the end of the year, with special events and programs across the NC Aquariums and Jennette’s Pier. At ncaquariums50.com, visitors can explore archival photographs and milestones from five decades of Aquariums history, read memories shared by visitors, and view upcoming events and opportunities to celebrate the milestone.
Photos and video: Visual Assets
About North Carolina Aquariums
Celebrating 50 years of connecting people with the wonders of aquatic life, the North Carolina Aquariums inspire appreciation, advance education, and promote the conservation of our natural environment. Part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the NC Aquariums span from the Outer Banks to the Cape Fear, including the North Carolina Aquariums at Fort Fisher, at Pine Knoll Shores, on Roanoke Island, and Jennette’s Pier.
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. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.