Brighton Sea Life Centre plans common seal enclosure

Update 25 July 2006
Brighton Sea Life Centre indefinitely scraps its plans
Click here for further information

Full story of the campaign:

8 June 06 Press Release: Coalition oppose Sea Life Centre plans

17 May 06 - Proposed seal and otter enclosure plans approved

The proposed plans for common seal and Asian short clawed otter enclosures by the Brighton Sea Life Centre were yesterday (17th May 2006) granted permission at the Council planning meeting. The Chairman maintained that animal welfare must not play a role in the councillors' decisions on planning applications. However, many councillors were still obviously concerned about the animal welfare implications of the plans. The close final vote reflected this – 6 councillors were against the plans and 7 councillors approved the plans.

The Marine Connection still whole heartedly believe that these enclosures are unsuitable and will continue to be an active part in the coalition opposing these plans.

The Sea Life Centre in Brighton recently put forward plans to build two new enclosures to accommodate common seals and Asian short-clawed otters. It is proposed that the enclosures should be built on the entrance steps to the Centre's Grade II Listed building.

Two seals are proposed to be coming from Germany but as yet the origin of the otters has not been confirmed. For the proposed plans surrounding this application please click here quoting Application number BH2005/06570.

The Marine Connection is part of a coalition of animal welfare and conservation organisations concerned about the construction of these enclosures. The other members of the coalition are Born Free Foundation, Brighton Animal Action, Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS), International Animal Rescue and the Brighton Green Party.

Although fundamentally a dolphin and whale charity, the Marine Connection could not ignore the plight of these marine mammals and were keen to support this worthy campaign.

The Coalition believes that the proposed enclosures are too small and inappropriately designed for the animals to allow them to exhibit natural behaviour, and we are urging the council to refuse permission on the following grounds:

• Critically, viewing the exhibits from the steps is dangerous and will restrict visitor access to the aquarium.
• The facilities do not adequately cater for the less able and those with pushchairs etc.
• The proposed enclosures for seals and otters are inadequately sized and inappropriately designed to provide these animals with a suitable environment and to allow them to exhibit natural behaviour. It will be necessary to keep the animals in at night away from the steps area, compromising their welfare still further.
• There are concerns about the method of containment of the animals within the exhibits, and measures for maintaining them off-view or when separated are inadequate.
• Staff access to the animals is restricted and insufficient for routine management and in the event of an emergency.
• The pool water supply and disposal is questioned.
• The design will fail to protect the animals from noise, pollution, intrusion and disturbance from vehicles, fireworks and people