Diving into Distress: The Capture and Confinement of Sea Animals for Aquariums and Marine Parks

In their natural habitat, wild orcas and dolphins traverse vast expanses of ocean, engaging in intricate social interactions and fulfilling their instinctual drive to explore. However, the confines of captivity strip them of these fundamental freedoms, relegating them to barren tanks that pale in comparison to their expansive ocean homes. The endless circles they swim in these artificial enclosures mirror the monotony of their existence, devoid of the depth and diversity of their natural environment.

Forced to perform demeaning tricks for the entertainment of spectators, captive marine mammals are robbed of their autonomy and dignity. These displays, devoid of any inherent meaning or purpose, serve only to perpetuate the illusion of human dominance over nature. Moreover, the separation of individuals from their familial bonds compounds the trauma of captivity, as they are shuffled between parks with little regard for their emotional well-being.

Tragically, many captive marine mammals succumb to premature deaths, falling far short of their species’ natural life expectancy. The stress, frustration, and despair inherent in their captive existence manifest in various forms of physical and psychological ailments, ultimately culminating in untimely demises. Despite the industry’s claims of providing educational value and conservation efforts, the reality is starkly different—a business built on exploitation and suffering.

This essay delves into the complex issues surrounding the capture and confinement of sea animals, exploring the ethical, environmental, and psychological concerns associated with this industry.

An unnatural environment

The captivity of animals in marine parks and aquariums represents a stark departure from their natural habitats, depriving them of the ability to express their full range of behaviors. This uncomfortable reality underscores the inherent ethical concerns of confining sentient beings for human entertainment.

Take, for example, the case of king penguins, magnificent creatures known for their remarkable diving abilities. In the wild, these birds navigate the frigid waters of the Southern Ocean, diving to depths of up to 100 meters and even surpassing 300 meters on occasion. In such expansive and dynamic environments, they are free to exhibit their natural behaviors, from hunting for fish to engaging in intricate social interactions within their colonies.

However, the confines of captivity impose severe limitations on these animals, confining them to enclosures that are but a fraction of the size of their natural habitats. In such restricted environments, king penguins are deprived of the opportunity to engage in their instinctual behaviors, including diving and foraging at depths commensurate with their abilities. Instead, they are relegated to pacing back and forth within the confines of their enclosures, a pale imitation of the dynamic movements they would experience in the wild.

The discrepancy between the natural behaviors of animals and the artificial constraints of captivity is not limited to king penguins alone. Dolphins, renowned for their acrobatic displays and social intelligence, are confined to pools that pale in comparison to the vast expanses of the ocean they call home. Similarly, orcas, apex predators of the sea, are forced to swim endless circles in tanks that bear little resemblance to the open waters they once roamed.

Trapped, stressed and unhealthy

Animals confined in marine parks and aquariums are stripped of their natural behaviors and social connections, unable to forage for food or form bonds as they would in the wild. Their autonomy is undermined, leaving them with no control over their surroundings.

A study conducted in the UK revealed alarming rates of abnormal behaviors among aquarium animals, with circling, head-bobbing, and spiraling swimming patterns being commonly observed. Sharks and rays, in particular, exhibited surface breaking behaviors, behaviors not typically seen in their natural habitats.

The study also shed light on the origins of many marine animals in public aquaria, with an estimated 89% being wild-caught. Often, these individuals are by-catches of the fishing industry, donated to aquariums free of charge. Despite claims of conservation efforts, such as habitat protection, the study found little evidence of in situ conservation activities among UK public aquaria.

Furthermore, health issues plaguing animals in these facilities were disturbingly common, including lacerations, wounds, scars, eye disease, deformities, infections, abnormal growths, and even death. These findings paint a bleak picture of the welfare and well-being of marine animals in captivity, highlighting the urgent need for ethical reform within the industry.

Families Torn Apart

The heart-wrenching reality of marine animal captivity extends beyond the confines of tanks and enclosures, touching upon the profound bonds of family and social networks that echo our own. Orcas and dolphins, revered for their intelligence and social complexity, share deep familial ties and intricate social structures in the wild.

In the natural world, orcas remain steadfastly loyal to their mothers, forming lifelong bonds that endure across generations. Similarly, dolphins traverse the ocean in tight-knit pods, where strong family relationships and social cohesion define their existence. When a member of their pod is captured, the repercussions reverberate throughout the group, with others often attempting to intervene or save their captured companion.

The process of wild captures is a harrowing ordeal, marked by trauma and tragedy. Boats give chase to dolphins, driving them into shallow waters where escape is futile amidst encircling nets. Those deemed unwanted may suffer a fate no less cruel, facing the grim specter of shock, stress, or pneumonia upon release. In places like Taiji Cove, Japan, the annual dolphin slaughter serves as a grim reminder of the brutality inflicted upon these intelligent creatures. In 2014 alone, a staggering 500 dolphins were corralled, their lives extinguished in a flurry of violence and bloodshed. Those spared death were often torn from their families and sold into captivity, their frantic attempts to escape a poignant testament to the instinctual drive for freedom.

The Ethics of Captivity

At the heart of the debate lies the ethical question of whether it is justifiable to confine sentient beings for human entertainment. Sea animals, ranging from dolphins and whales to fish and sea turtles, possess complex cognitive abilities and social structures that are severely compromised in captivity. The practice of capturing these animals from their natural habitats disrupts not only individual lives but also entire ecosystems. Moreover, confinement in artificial environments often leads to stress, illness, and premature death among captive marine animals, raising serious moral concerns about the ethics of their captivity.

Environmental Impacts

The impact of capturing sea animals for aquariums and marine parks extends beyond the individuals taken from the wild. The extraction of marine life disrupts fragile ecosystems and can have cascading effects on local populations and biodiversity. Overfishing and habitat destruction associated with capturing these animals can lead to declines in fish stocks and the degradation of coral reefs, further exacerbating the already dire state of the world’s oceans. Additionally, the transportation of marine animals across long distances for display purposes contributes to carbon emissions and poses risks to their health and welfare.

Psychological Welfare

Beyond the physical challenges, captivity also takes a toll on the psychological well-being of marine animals. Confined to relatively small tanks or enclosures, these creatures are deprived of the vastness of the ocean and the social interactions essential to their mental health. Studies have shown that captive dolphins, for example, exhibit abnormal behaviors such as stereotypic swimming patterns and aggression, indicative of stress and frustration. Similarly, orcas held in marine parks have been observed to display signs of psychological distress, including dorsal fin collapse and self-harming behaviors, highlighting the detrimental effects of captivity on their mental welfare.