Almost a third of the coral reefs have been destroyed, and that figure will increase by 20% within the next 10 to 20 years (1). 

Extracting animals from their already vulnerable ecosystems weakens them. Various coral reef fish are locally extinct or threatened with extinction, i.e. the Banggai cardinal fish. (4)

Only about 25 species of coral reef fish, mostly anemones and seahorses, are able to breed in captivity (6). Of the more than 2,000 coral reef fish, and hundreds of coral species in captivity (8), almost all come from the wild (2). Only one percent of corals, especially soft corals can be bred (6). Even with species such as anemone, which can be cultivated, breeding does not cover the demand, (3) nor is it economically viable (4).

The "Ozeanium" will stock its aquariums mainly with animals from the wild.

According to scientific estimations, four out of five fish caught in the reef can die before they reach an aquarium.

On average, up to 80% of fish can die in fishing and transport.

Welfare in captivity is virtually impossible

Many fish in their natural habitats swim long distances, deep dive, hide in the reef or live in schools. In the confines of the aquarium, many fish injure themselves, develop behavioral disorders and display aggression.
Technical problems are a leading factor in the death of many animals in large aquariums. In November 2013, for example, 20,000 sturgeon died during a systems failure in the Tropenhaus Frutigen (Switzerland).

As a member of the international umbrella organization for zoos and aquariums (WAZA), the Basel Zoo is committed to a nature conservation strategy: "All zoos and aquariums are increasingly sustainable, leave as little traces as possible in nature, and use natural resources without drifting." (World Zoo and Aquariums Nature Conservation Strategy 2005). However, as noted above, most of the fish and corals cannot grow, many having been caught in the wild before they are sexually mature and able to reproduce.

Pumps, water treatment, cooling and heating consume enormous amounts of energy. The Ozeaneum in Stralsund (Germany), for example, consumes roughly the energy of a small town with 10,000 inhabitants. The "Ozeanium" project is by no means compatible with Basel's goal of a 2,000-watt society.

The Basel Zoo prides itself on applying the progressive, animal friendly, and internationally accepted animal husbandry principle: "more space for fewer animals". This makes Thomas Jermann’s statement, Project Manager Ozeanium and curator Vivarium Zoo Basel, in the Basellandschaftliche Zeitung on 4 December 2012, very troubling:
"More animals will live in the Ozeanium than they have done so far in the Zoo Basel".

In an interview with Das Magazine on 19 September 2014, Olivier Pagan, Director of the Basel Zoo, said: "Together with allied zoos worldwide, we aim at producing thriving, genetically healthy breeding populations, so that we are independent of animals in the wild." The "Ozeanium" would contradict this goal, however.

Ethics, public morality and legislation are changing rapidly today. One hundred years ago, it was still acceptable to exhibit people from other cultures in zoos. In the 1980s only a few people were bothered by the small cages in zoos. Fish were not included in the Swiss Animal Protection Act until 2008. Only after the fatal incidents 2011 and 2012 in the Dolphinarium of the Connyland in Lipperswil (TG) an import prohibition for dolphins and whale species was decided.

Increasing restrictive rules on animal husbandry, as well as other trade restrictions and import bans are also likely for other animal groups. Large aquariums, however, are static facilities, hardly able to adapt to changes in the conditions of husbandry and import. This makes the "Ozeanium" a highly risky investment.

Aquariums justify their existence with their contribution to environmental education. However, to date there are no studies showing the educational impact and improvement in ocean conservancy. We are better off to protect species and the sea with protected areas and trade bans than with the exhibition of a constricted life in a glass tank. Fish exhibited in glass vessels with charts is no longer an acceptable pedagogical concept in the 21st century.

Despite the destruction of coral reefs, the aquarium industry continues to grow. Since 2003, about 24 million coral fish, 12 million corals and 10 million invertebrates are traded worldwide (1). Today, there are likely to be significantly more, because there is worldwide about 1,000 large aquariums (excluding aquariums in zoos be counted) (2) and over 2 million private marine aquariums (6). The turnover of the total industry amounts to 15 billion US dollars per year, as stated by FAO (3).

The Ozeanium implies that it is ethically justifiable to catch and transport wild animals from the reef - despite high loss rates - and to lock them into glass tanks, disregarding their needs. This should further promote the dissemination of private marine aquariums. Never before have there been so many large aquariums in the world. At the same time, the seas have never been as threatened as they are today. Obviously, this kind of pedagogy is not effective.

In an increasingly fast-paced world the importance of positive role models cannot be stressed enough. They provide support and orientation, create meaning and motivate towards positive engagement. Can the Ozeanium be a credible example of sustainability and conservation? Can the Ozeanium be a model for ethically acceptable use of natural resources in our world?