[3] The aquarium is accredited as a Museum-equivalent facilities by the Museum Act from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

The aquarium consists of the main building, which exhibits a wide variety of fish and shellfish, the Dolphin Stadium, which features dolphin and sea lion shows, the Marine Park, where seals, walruses, sea lions, penguins, and other animals are kept, and the amusement park, Otaru Shukuzu Marine Land.

The marine animal park is located in a natural cove, where seabirds also fly in.

Jirokichi was protected in 1984 when he was caught in a fixed net off the coast of Sutsu Town in the Goshi region.

In 2007, a green turtle without a right front fin was protected on the beach in Hatsuyamabetsu Village and has been kept in captivity to this day.