Public aquariums range from excellent welfare facilities to exploitative marine parks. Understanding what separates high-welfare from low-welfare marine animal display is essential for informed visitors.
The welfare of marine animals in public aquariums spans from genuinely high (large tanks, appropriate social groups, no performance requirements, good veterinary care) to severely compromised (small tanks, forced performance, social isolation, chronic stress). Orca and dolphin performance shows require behaviours that cause welfare harm during training and performance. Touch pools subject animals to repeated handling by the public, with varying oversight. Large sharks and rays in pools far too small for their spatial needs show stereotypic swimming patterns. The positive case for aquariums — public education about marine conservation, which may increase support for marine protection — must be weighed against the welfare cost to individual animals.