Mermaids Return to Newport Aquarium This June

Mermaids will return to the Newport Aquarium this June with flipping fins and magical bubble kisses, as well as an important message about saving our oceans.

Saturday, June 8 is World Ocean Day, and to celebrate, the aquarium’s mermaid friends will be helping educate visitors about ocean conservation and the dangers of single-use plastics. According to World Ocean Day organizers, at least 14 million tons of plastic wind up in the ocean every year, and less than 10% of all plastic waste has ever been recycled.

“The magic of mermaids at Newport Aquarium goes beyond bubble kisses and tail flips,” mermaid Vayna shared in a press release. “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!”

Newport Aquarium is also doing its part to limit plastic waste, saying its recycling program this past year has kept over 2,300 pounds of flat plastic and 750 pounds of styrofoam from entering waterways. Local organizations are also raising awareness for World Ocean Day, including the Cincinnati Bengals, who are lighting up Paycor Stadium blue in honor of the day.

“With the beautiful Ohio River flowing between the aquarium and Paycor Stadium, it’s a great reminder about how water connects us all,” Rebecca Foster, Newport Aquarium’s executive director, said in the release. “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.”

The mermaids will be at Newport Aquarium until June 23. The experience is included in the cost of general admission or a membership, and you’ll be able to find them in Mermaid Cove, diving underwater in the Coral Reef Tunnel and swimming with the cownose stingrays as they also share their story about the long journey swimming to the Cincinnati area.

Newport Aquarium, 1 Levee Way. More info: newportaquarium.com .