Aquariums

[Mermaid Kassandra]

The title says it all!

I would like to talk with the community abut aquariums (not dolphin or killer whales I mean aquariums aquariums like the one where you can also see other species of sea creatures not only cetacean) what are your thoughts, do you think they make mistakes like the others structures?

I would like to hear the community thoughts not to start drama or anything similar it's just to share opinions.

So what do you think? Do you think they should close, detain only certain breeds our anything else?

[Echidna]

It entirely depends on the type of aquarium and the species they house.

If the provided habitat is a good substitute for the natural one, it's ok in my book.
That is easier with smaller species, of course.

Large species or any which need a lot of room (more than provided) should not be held.
This should not only apply to aquariums and zoos, but also to farms and private owners!

[Mermaid Cecelia]

I think that aquariums are important for people who don't live in areas near an ocean but still want to experience it. I know that I became interested in the ocean after visting the aquarium in Tennessee, and since TN is a landlocked state I wouldn't have been able to have that experience without having to spend a lot more money on a beach trip. Since visiting that aquarium I've gotten into mermaiding and will be going into college to get a degree that will help me get a job in the marine sciences. As long as the aquarium is a good habitat for the species, like echidna said, an aquarium is a very valuable educational tool and research tool. A lot of aquariums employ research technicians to conduct their research in a more controlled environment, which can lead to all sorts of positive discoveries that can help us understand how to take better care of the ocean an it's inhabitants.

[Ciriun]

I am in no way qualified to judge if aquariums are the ideal homes for the animals in them, but I sure do love visiting aquariums. Currently Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is my favorite. Yes, they do have some cetaceans and I know that is questionable, but I think they try hard to make the good they do outweigh the negatives. And their other exhibits are beautiful!

Does anyone know if touch tanks are humane? I find them very hard to resist, especially the all sturgeon one, so I'd hate to think they might be detrimental for the animals in them.

[Echidna]

Does anyone know if touch tanks are humane? I find them very hard to resist, especially the all sturgeon one, so I'd hate to think they might be detrimental for the animals in them.

I don't know if they are "humane", but touching a fish can harm it physically, because the slime coat fish have on their scales is a part of the fish's skin.
Touching, stroking and handling can damage it, leaving the fish's scales exposed to germs and parasites.
Many fish which are "release-caught" or otherwise handled will die after being thrown back.

At least, that's what we were taught in marine biology.
I know many fish owners who swear petting their fish is wonderful and their fish enjoy it;
and you see loads of biologists handle fish on a general basis, so I'm not sure who is right.

[Mermaid Jessica Pearl]

Many aquariums in australia add a lot to research and breeding programs which are so important in continuing the health and safety of so many species and habitats. As well as the obvious awareness and education factors. We have a turtle rehab centre at ours. And the aquarium I performed at in Queensland too! So important!
We have a touch tank at our aquarium but they cleverly fill it with animals that are smart enough or fast enough to keep away from the sides!

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Great thank you for your reply guys!!

Reading this really opens my mind about it.



And what about aquariums that hold cetaceans and other "big breeds" like manatees?



I'm asking this as after what happened at Sea World everyone seems to wait for the occasion to questionate about every single structure that holds marine life even if they seem to be doing it in the right way.

[New York Mermaid]

Before I was a mermaid I was a Marine Mammal Educator/ assistant in animal care and training (and still work in marine animal rescue) . So you pretty much know where I stand here. Our aquarium worked and continues to work alongside researchers and scientists besides working on breeding programs for endangered species, We worked on self awareness tests, echolocation and hearing, and so much more.

Our aquarium was able to successfully breed fish which are considered now extinct in the wild (I believe they were in process of working on a species reintroduction with the fish before I became ill), they helped start programs to protect coral reefs and sea life, they work alongside other aquariums when it comes to animal care and rescue. They work with many non profit organizations all around the world and share information among other things. Aquariums are important and I can explain why. Aquariums give kids a chance to see so many things in one place and at one time (not many people can say they saw a dolphin, a polar bear and a shark all in one place and in one day), and also teach newer generations about what's important about our oceans and what can be done to help save animals and their habitats. I remember teaching a group of 20 kids about our dolphins and by the end of it all alot of them wanted to start a clean ocean type of program in their school. To a kid there's nothing like seeing an animal up close and watching them become mesmerized by it, and use the animal ambassador in front of them to teach them about not only the animal, but the situation of the ecosystem the animal's wild counterparts face. Not everyone has access to an ocean, not everyone can dive or take a boat etc., not everyone especially at this time has the money to take trips to see these animals in their habitat.

I've always supported SeaWorld and continue to despite what happened. SeaWorld was the place that started it all for me. I can tell you so much about that place from things I've seen and experienced.. Trust me if SeaWorld wanted a mermaid, id be more than happy to provide my services. And sure I've researched both sides, been on whale watches, seen those documentaries and it doesn't change my opinion of them. I applaud them for taking the initiative to provide a better living space for their animals knowing its time to upgrade as standards for animals care has changed in the past decades. But again that's my opinion and choice. I respect those who feel different about it.

(sorry about the long post.)

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Before I was a mermaid I was a Marine Mammal Educator/ assistant in animal care and training (and still work in marine animal rescue) . So you pretty much know where I stand here. Our aquarium worked and continues to work alongside researchers and scientists besides working on breeding programs for endangered species, We worked on self awareness tests, echolocation and hearing, and so much more.

Our aquarium was able to successfully breed fish which are considered now extinct in the wild (I believe they were in process of working on a species reintroduction with the fish before I became ill), they helped start programs to protect coral reefs and sea life, they work alongside other aquariums when it comes to animal care and rescue. They work with many non profit organizations all around the world and share information among other things. Aquariums are important and I can explain why. Aquariums give kids a chance to see so many things in one place and at one time (not many people can say they saw a dolphin, a polar bear and a shark all in one place and in one day), and also teach newer generations about what's important about our oceans and what can be done to help save animals and their habitats. I remember teaching a group of 20 kids about our dolphins and by the end of it all alot of them wanted to start a clean ocean type of program in their school. To a kid there's nothing like seeing an animal up close and watching them become mesmerized by it, and use the animal ambassador in front of them to teach them about not only the animal, but the situation of the ecosystem the animal's wild counterparts face. Not everyone has access to an ocean, not everyone can dive or take a boat etc., not everyone especially at this time has the money to take trips to see these animals in their habitat.

I've always supported SeaWorld and continue to despite what happened. SeaWorld was the place that started it all for me. I can tell you so much about that place from things I've seen and experienced.. Trust me if SeaWorld wanted a mermaid, id be more than happy to provide my services. And sure I've researched both sides, been on whale watches, seen those documentaries and it doesn't change my opinion of them. I applaud them for taking the initiative to provide a better living space for their animals knowing its time to upgrade as standards for animals care has changed in the past decades. But again that's my opinion and choice. I respect those who feel different about it.

(sorry about the long post.)

Sorry?

Thank you for your long post!
This really makes a difference, you always find opinions on how many bad things humans do that is almost impossible to hear another voice!


Again really thank you very much indeed for sharing your opinion and experience!


Is there someone that thinks it in a different way?
I really would really appreciate to hear a clear explanation of why not having aquariums and other structures like that.

Thank you again guys!

[SeaGlass Siren]

It entirely depends on the type of aquarium and the species they house.

If the provided habitat is a good substitute for the natural one, it's ok in my book.
That is easier with smaller species, of course.

Large species or any which need a lot of room (more than provided) should not be held.
This should not only apply to aquariums and zoos, but also to farms and private owners!

I've finished reading everything here and I'm Reposting this. Basically what I wanted to say.

i really don't think housing huge marine animals is ok.
ive visited the Ripleys aquarium twice here in Toronto with my parents. I'll tell you what that was like.
the sting rays and mantas and sharks looked marvelous on the first day it opened. On my second most recent visit it looks like some are experiencing fin rot and look extremely bored. Most will just sleep or swim in circles.

[SeaGlass Siren]

With that said they do have a lot of huge tanks for coral, anemones, molluscs, starfish, jellyfish, and other small species of fish. The fish look hella bored. I guess smaller fish also want to roam a huge ocean. The ones in smaller tanks were not pleased. The tropical fish in the largest tanks looked quite content.
there was also octopus and crustaceans. Octopus also looked bored AF and angry during both my visits.

[AniaR]

I am OK with aquariums as you describe them so long as they create high quality environments for their creatures. Unlike seaworld, aquariums actually do a huge amount of research, education, and even rescue work

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

[Sherielle]

I was wondering about this topic as I visited the Texas State Aquarium this past August. They have two dolphins in a largish tank. They also have a rather large sea turtle rehabilitation program where they get them better then release them back to the ocean. And if the turtle can't be released due to extensive injuries, they take care of them. I enjoyed our visit, but I was hesitant of the dolphins.

[SeaGlass Siren]

Husband made a huge mistake visiting the Vancouver aquarium without telling me until after when he discovered they housed belugas and made them do tricks. He left 2 minutes into the show because he heard my voice scolding him.
I scolded him some more when he came back.

[MermaidSandie]

I think aquariums are a great way for people to educate themselves about the ocean, as long as there are high quality environments. I think a good habitat is better all around; the animals are happier and healthier and they are less bored which appears entertaining for the humans who go see them.

I'm not sure I've ever seen "bored/boring" animals at the Long Beach Aquarium, although the shark enclosure looks kinda small. It's a great aquarium!

[Echidna]

The fish look hella bored. I guess smaller fish also want to roam a huge ocean

oh yes.
Swarm fish and migrating fish wil need loads of space no matter their size.


And I don't think the "kids need to see something firsthand to learn how to care about it"-argument holds water.

Most kids love mermaids, unicorns and dragons, and they definitely never saw one in person (present day mermaid performers notwithstanding).
So no, you don't need to imprison and mistreat an animal just so the kids will learn how to take an interest in them
(maybe rethink your education methods?).
^^This pertains more to SeaPrison than to aquariums.

But honestly I think in the modern day with internet and great documentation readily available everywhere, the purpose/main focus of aquariums, zoos and parks should be providing a safe haven for endangered animals, not entertainment.

[SeaGlass Siren]

most aquariums are for gawking though. even though there are infosheets and infographics and interactive activities there for kids to do that don't involve touch tanks, let's be honest here... who ever pays attention to them? ripley's have them but they also have 3 touch tanks. one for sand sharks, one for horseshoe crabs, and one for mantas (that one though they are in a huge tank and it's connected to a shallow area for them to swim up to so they can leave whenever they want and come up whenever they want). no one ever goes read the infographics to learn something.

[Echidna]

Yea, I didn't mean info sheets and diagrams (boring for kids) so much as shows on TV where you can see and watch the animals just as well (if not better, as they are filmed in their natural habitat).

Zoos, and to a part circuses, are part of that world before globalisation, TV and internet happened.
People hardly ever travelled back then, so the only chance to see an exotic animal was a faire.
There also weren't many books about them, so all was new and sensational in those old times.

But nowadays?
With entertainment, infotainment, and information flooding everyone nonstop from all directions?
Please.
If someone, no matter if kid or adult, takes an interest in something, they can look it up in seconds, learn about them, watch it on youtube, order books to learn even more about it.

And if they find they are really into it, they can take a trip to the natural habitat and do a diving course (all just examples).
The original concept of zoos and other showstuffs is outdated, and I doubt the value of people gawking at animals through a glasspane (as opposed to on a TV screen ) is that much more valuable than the ethical and natural treatment of a creature.

[SeaGlass Siren]

^power of the internet. agreed.

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Yea, I didn't mean info sheets and diagrams (boring for kids) so much as shows on TV where you can see and watch the animals just as well (if not better, as they are filmed in their natural habitat).

Zoos, and to a part circuses, are part of that world before globalisation, TV and internet happened.
People hardly ever travelled back then, so the only chance to see an exotic animal was a faire.
There also weren't many books about them, so all was new and sensational in those old times.

But nowadays?
With entertainment, infotainment, and information flooding everyone nonstop from all directions?
Please.
If someone, no matter if kid or adult, takes an interest in something, they can look it up in seconds, learn about them, watch it on youtube, order books to learn even more about it.

And if they find they are really into it, they can take a trip to the natural habitat and do a diving course (all just examples).
The original concept of zoos and other showstuffs is outdated, and I doubt the value of people gawking at animals through a glasspane (as opposed to on a TV screen ) is that much more valuable than the ethical and natural treatment of a creature.

I really feel your point of view!

I think that seeing the animals in their natural habitat is something magical!

But a video or a book doesn't give you the same feeling of seeing them in person and as I learnt here from others opinions and experiences lots of things we know about marine life.


Would it be ok if we try to make the bad aspects minimal?

I mean we are the "new generation" we can do something to make things better?

Anyway thank you guys I love you hear your opinions!