For immediate release:

Press Release - 8th June 2006

Further information:
Coalition letter to the Zoos Forum
Coalition letter to Brighton & Hove City Council
Details of the coalition postcard campaign
Image of the "Sea life belongs in the sea" postcard
Brighton & Hove City Council "Animal Welfare Charter"

COALITION OF CONCERNED ORGANISATIONS OPPOSE THE AUTHORISATION OF BRIGHTON SEA LIFE CENTRE'S NEW ANIMAL ENCLOSURES.

In light of the recent decision by Brighton and Hove City Council's planning Sub-Committee to grant planning permission to Brighton Sea Life Centre to construct new enclosures for common seals and Asian short-clawed otters, a coalition of concerned organisations is requesting clarification over why animal welfare is not taken into account when planning committees consider structures to accommodate animals.

The Marine Connection, Born Free Foundation, International Animal Rescue, Brighton Animal Action, Captive Animal Protection Society and Brighton and East Grinstead RSPCA regional office formed a coalition to oppose the proposals by Brighton Sea Life Centre to construct two new enclosures by the entrance steps of the existing zoo. Both species of animals would ordinarily live in complex habitats in which they travel long distances on land as well as in the water. The coalition believes that the seal and otter enclosures, approximately 95 metres square and 70 metres squared respectively, could never hope to meet the needs of these animals which live diverse and stimulating lives hunting their prey, exploring their huge environment and utilising their well adapted skills.

The coalition launched a postcard campaign detailing specific concerns such as the planned enclosures inadequately protecting the animals from physical invasion of objects and people or from constant noise, pollution, vibration and disturbance from cars, people and events. The precarious placing of the enclosures on steps is a risk to visitors viewing the exhibits and does not adequately cater for disabled access.

However, despite raising these genuine concerns with Brighton and Hove City Council's planning sub-committee, the plans for the enclosure were passed without consideration for either the health and safety of the public or the welfare of the animals. It was in fact made clear by the Chairman of the sub-committee that animal welfare should strictly NOT be taken into account in this case. Although a disappointing outcome resulted from this committee, the coalition was encouraged that the margin was small with six councillors voting against the plans and just seven approving the plans.

Andrina Murrell, captivity officer for the Marine Connection remarks "I was shocked to learn that the sub-committee was encouraged not to consider animal welfare in this case; especially bearing in mind the function of the planned structure is to accommodate animals. I was also surprised with Councillor Leslie Hamilton's comments (Chairman of this sub-committee) in a letter to the Argus (20th May 2006) where he stated that he "would have concerns for the welfare of the animals in the proposed pools" but that the species of animals to be housed and their welfare and requirements are not matters for the planning application sub-committee. This begs the wider question of why a planning committee which must consider public safety and disabled access, should not also consider the wellbeing of animals to be contained in the structure (where applicable) before the structure is built".

Brighton City Council has an "Animal Welfare Charter" which states "animals have the right to enjoy five basic freedoms" and was produced to reflect and address local concerns over animal welfare. The 'five basic freedoms', as referred to by zoo licensing law incorporate an over-arching commitment offering animals a suitable environment which satisfies the animal's requirements, emulates the wild's physically and psychologically stimulating environment and in which they are given every opportunity to exhibit behaviour as displayed in the wild(1). Although the Sea Life Centre maintains that they provide adequate care for the specific needs of each animal, we believe that the plans for the new enclosures cannot guarantee these requirements. The Charter also states that the Council will take account of animal welfare issues in its "decision making processes". This was clearly not done by the Planning Applications Sub-Committee despite the fact that in national planning policy advice, the function of proposed infrastructure should be taken into account (Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development). The function of the new enclosures at the Brighton Sea Life Centre is to house animals, but in this instance it appears the entertainment aspect of clear viewing was the only function considered.

In view of the developments surrounding the Brighton Sea Life Centre proposals and the wider implications, this coalition of concerned organisations has decided to request clarification and to challenge the decision of the Council's planning sub-committee. We have written two letters: one to Brighton and Hove City Council requesting clarification of their commitment to the "Animal Welfare Charter" and why it was not considered in any capacity in the Sea Life Centre proposals; the second letter is to the Zoo's Forum (the Government's advisory board on zoo matters) requesting details of the planning application procedure when infrastructure involves the housing and/or management of wild animals.

As a coalition, we believe that not taking animal welfare into account when considering structures to house animals and provide them with their required needs, care and appropriate space is unacceptable.

ENDS
word count: 823

Editors notes:
(1) The five freedoms as detailed on Brighton & Hove City Council's "Animal Welfare Charter"

- Freedom from fear and distress
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from pain, disease and injury
- Freedom from unnecessary constraint
- Freedom from physical discomfort

For further information on these principles please see the Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice.

For further information/copies of letters and images contact:

Marine Connection
Andrina Murrell (Captivity Officer)
Email
Tel: 020 7499 9196
Fax: 020 7409 2133
www.marineconnection.org

For more information regarding the Marine Connection and our work please click here