Austin is getting a new aquarium that is opening this month. It will be a major family attraction. Austin doesn’t have an aquarium and the nearest one that I know about is in Corpus Christi. The aquarium will help educate children about marine animals. Aquariums help create a respect for animals and can build an interest in conservation and protecting our environment.
However the opening of the Austin aquarium is not without controversy. The family that runs the Austin aquarium is being accused of illegally shipping protected spices of sting rays and sharks out of Florida. For this offense one of the brothers is spending a year in jail. Secondly animal rights groups are claiming that the family’s aquarium in Portland has had over 200 animal deaths. The owners disputes this claim. Saying those were food for the other fish.
I am not sure where I stand on this issue. I enjoy going to aquariums but I would not like to support people who harm animals.