Multiple aquariums and marine mammal “amusement parks” take advantage of sea creatures in order to gain economic benefits and for entertainment purposes. Not all aquariums are necessarily bad, as some aquariums focus on taking in animals that have been permanently injured and would not be able to live on their own. However, there are many concerns with aquariums placing healthy animals in small, enclosed tanks. Sea creatures have every right to live freely in their own territories, without human interference.
Detrimental Effects on Orcas/Dolphins
Wild orcas and dolphins are very social creatures, living in their respective group pods. These creatures need a large amount of room in order to sustain a livable life. Marine mammals have been separated from their families and have been forced to live in small tanks where there is not enough room for them to grow. Most, if not all, orcas die before their average life expectancy due to the trauma they have experienced being captive. These marine mammals, who are forced to be in tanks, lack the social communication with their pods and the necessary natural hunting techniques for food. Therefore, if they were to be released to the wild, they would likely not be able to survive. Orcas and dolphins are suffering from the stress of their surroundings, often driving themselves or others to injury or death.
Detrimental Effects on Sharks
Sharks, especially Great White Sharks, should not be placed into captivity at aquariums. Great Whites are accustomed to swimming fast and going great distances, and these aquarium tanks restrict them. In addition, it is quite difficult to transport a large shark to the aquariums themselves. Sharks utilize electroreception to sense natural electrical signals coming from their prey and then hunt them. The glass tank and other manmade objects may interfere with the shark’s sense of electroreception.
Effects on Humans
When marine mammals are placed in a stressful situation of captivity, they may act out and cause harm to the human trainers. The deaths/injuries of both the trainers and the marine mammals could be prevented if the animals were not held in captivity. An orca named Tilikum, located at SeaWorld Orlando, played a role in the death of 3 people. There are “several decades of observation [that show] orcas are not naturally violent towards humans.” This further demonstrates that the violent actions of the orcas were largely due to their captivity.
Government Regulations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) enforces the Animal Welfare Act, which is “the only federal law that governs the treatment of animals who are bred for commercial use, used in public exhibitions, and experimented on in U.S. laboratories.” While there is some federal protection for marine mammals in aquariums, the rules are not highly enforced and USDA inspections are few. It was found that “as of February 2020, there were 104 [USDA] inspectors for 12,851 facilities,” further representing how there are not enough proper inspections performed.
What You Can Do
Boycott visiting aquariums or places like Sea World that mistreat animals. Instead, visit animal sanctuaries.
Spread awareness on the issue, either on social media or even within your own social circles.
Fight for legislation that protects animals rights and put a stop to abusing animal rights.
Sign petitions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14sTYn_1ipwLLb8uT4G-nUeYgPFJWqRbPUi9IqxT-hD8/edit?usp=sharing
Sources/Further Reading: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14sTYn_1ipwLLb8uT4G-nUeYgPFJWqRbPUi9IqxT-hD8/edit?usp=sharing