Aquariums

Aquariums: aquatic prisons

Aquariums are really just large tanks that attempt to imitate the natural environment of the fishes and other non-human animals who are trapped inside. In aquariums we can find dolphins, sea lions, sharks, rays, mackerels, barracudas, tuna and other marine animals, even whales.

During her lifetime, a dolphin, for example, would swim thousands of kilometres under the sea and interact many other dolphins (they are animals which live in schools of dozens of dolphins), and other aquatic animals. When we enclose them in an aquarium we are condemning them to swim, often in circles, within the same tank for their entire lives, without the smallest fraction of the variety of sensations which they would enjoy in liberty. Almost all are caught from the wild, and most are forced to perform tricks when they reach the aquarium. The monotonous surroundings, restriction of natural behaviours and unnatural social structure causes dolphins’ enormous stress.

Dolphins navigate the oceans using ultrasound. Sensory deprivation is one of the most damaging aspects of keeping dolphins in a concrete tank. Jacques Cousteau pointed out that the life of a dolphin in captivity ends up in the confusion of all of their senses and eventually causes such a sensitive creature to suffer the de-structuring of all of her normal behaviour and habits. Don’t let yourself be fooled by their apparent smile, which is nothing more than a fixed facial feature maintained whilst the animals suffer.

But dolphins are not the only ones who suffer in aquariums due to the lack of freedom. Fishes are also individuals who suffer from harshly reduced capabilities within tanks, which causes them stress and anguish. It has recently been shown that fish suffer from confinement and even exhibit stereotypic behaviour, similiar to mammals in zoos.

Most fishes possess spatial memories which enable them to create cognitive maps to guide them through the oceans, using senses such as smell, sound, lighting etc. As a result they suffer enormously when deprived of freedom, that is to say, when they can’t live their lives in spaces as vast as the oceans, seas and rivers.

Fishes have evolved senses that are totally different from animals like us and so, for example, something which for us appears quiet or distant can sound much louder to a fish. A tap on the glass of the aquarium for example, can be a source of extreme shock and stress for a fish.

There are other problems associated with aquariums, apart from those caused by the lack of space. It is practically impossible to control the water temperature at levels that are suitable for the very different needs of the fishes trapped inside – and hundreds of animals die as a result. As well as this, the chemicals used to disinfect the tanks can cause those imprisoned inside.

What can I do for the animals in aquariums?

Do not visit places where animals are enclosed. It is the money from the visitors that maintains the companies which exploit aquatic animals. Therefore, if we do not support them, and we encourage others not to support them either, these places will cease existing.

It might be visually stunning and exciting to see marine animals in aquariums, but their life in these places is one of torment. If you like animals and want to learn about them, there are many ways to do it without harming them. We can look them up on the internet or in library books, watch wildlife documentaries about marine life or go on careful scuba diving expeditions to see them in their natural habitat. Above all, remember that animals need your help. You can be their voice, and help to make the change so that, one day, the only marine animals that exist are those in the seas, rivers and oceans where they belong.