14 DAY TRIAL // The year 2013 is expected to witness the inauguration of a new aquarium in Toronto, Canada, which will supposedly provide visitors with the opportunity to become acquainted with various marine plant and animal species.
People in charge of seeing to the implementation of this project claim that this Ripley's Aquarium in Canada will offer ample research, educational and entertainment possibilities, as its 5.7 million liters of water (1,500,000 gallons) will serve as home for about 13,000 species of fresh and salt water fish.
However, green-oriented organization Sea Shepherd disapproves of this statements, and makes a case of how, rather than help the natural world and marine ecosystems, this new aquarium will in fact negatively impact on our planet's biodiversity.
The organization's official website raises concerns with respect to one very important issue: should things go as planned, Ripley's Aquarium is to have some very rare species on display.
This means that marine animals, which are otherwise listed as endangered and under the law's protection, will find themselves removed from their natural habitats, and made to live in an environment that does little to serve their complex needs.
Moreover, Sea Shepherd conservationists believe that the claims that this aquarium will aid environmental research are pure pretenses, as – in the words of Jacques Cousteau –, “There is about as much educational benefit to be gained in studying [animals] in captivity as there would be studying mankind by only observing prisoners held in solitary.”
The organization further explains that not only will the animals here experience stress as a result of having their living areas drastically restricted, but that the very process of catching them and transporting them to the aquarium will also harm them, as nets and hooks will have to be used.
Presently, Sea Shepherd is asking that green-heads worldwide sign a petition asking that no sharks be removed from the ocean and brought to this aquarium.
As well as this, people living in Toronto are urged to take immediate measures and discuss this matter with local authorities.