Mermaids Team Up with Newport Aquarium for World Ocean Day

Encouraging Visitors to Protect Our Waterways from Single Use Plastics

Newport, Ky. (June 7, 2024)— Saturday is World Ocean Day, a day that celebrates the wonder of the underwater world and highlights the need to protect it. According to organizers of World Ocean Day, at least 14 million tons of plastic ends up in the ocean each year. On this World Ocean Day, Newport Aquarium is bringing awareness to ocean conservation with help from its mermaid friends and even the Cincinnati Bengals.

Just in time for summer, mermaids are delighting aquarium visitors with magical bubble kisses. They can be found diving underwater in the Coral Reef Tunnel and swimming with smiling cownose stingrays in the tropical and colorful Mermaid Cove. In this fairytale setting, you can meet real mermaids and learn about their long journey swimming to the Cincy region. At the same time, mermaids are inspiring waves of change at Newport Aquarium by educating visitors about the dangers of single use plastics and what we can all do to become an Ocean Guardian like them.

“The magic of Mermaids at Newport Aquarium goes beyond bubble kisses and tail flips,” explains Mermaid Vayna, “We are here because we need help from our human friends to keep plastic thing-a-mabobs out of the ocean. Skipping the straw or choosing a reusable shopping bag may seem small, but it makes a big difference to our fishy friends!”

Organizers of World Ocean Day predict less than 10% of all plastic waste has ever been recycled. Newport Aquarium’s Resource Conservation Team is helping to change that with the aquarium’s recycling program. Within the last year, the aquarium kept 2,310 pounds of flat plastic and 750 pounds of Styrofoam from entering our waterways.

Many organizations are joining in the effort - including the Cincinnati Bengals and the WAVE Foundation at Newport Aquarium. From June 7th to 9th, fans of Newport Aquarium and the Bengals will notice Paycor Stadium lighting up the Cincy skyline in blue. It’s all part of a global movement to support ocean conservation while inspiring people to make simple changes at home that can keep our ocean healthy.

“With the beautiful Ohio river flowing between the aquarium and Paycor Stadium, it’s a great reminder about how water connects us all,” says Rebecca Foster, Newport Aquarium’s Executive Director. “We’re grateful to everyone who’s doing their part to keep our waterways, and the ocean they flow to, clean and healthy for ourselves and the animals.”

Visitors to Newport Aquarium can experience the real-life fairytale of Mermaids until June 23rd. Mermaids is included with General Admission or Newport Aquarium Membership. Tickets can be found at discounted prices when purchased early at NewportAquarium.com.

Newport Aquarium, named one of the top ten U.S. aquariums in USA Today’s 10Best.com and one of the top U.S. aquariums by Leisure Group Travel, has showcased thousands of animals from around the world in a million gallons of water since 1999. Named a top U.S. aquarium by US City Traveler and Destinations Travel Magazine, and also by Travel Channel, Newport Aquarium is a Herschend Family Entertainment company and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Newport Aquarium is located across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati at Newport on the Levee.