Sea Life Explained

Sea Life is a chain of commercial sea life-themed aquarium attractions. there are 53 Sea Life attractions (including standalone Sea Life centres, mini Sea Life features within resort theme parks, and Legoland submarine rides) around the world. The chain is owned by the British company, Merlin Entertainments.

History

Some of the aquariums now called Sea Life predate this rebrand and existed under different designations prior to their consolidation. The original named attraction was Sea Life Centre in Oban, Scotland, which opened in 1979. By 1992, nine other Sea Life units were opened.[1]

Locations

Asia

In November 2015, Merlin Entertainments announced that over the next 10 years it would invest £50 million in India, some of which will be used to open Sea Life centres.[3] In January 2017, Merlin Entertainments Indian subsidiary stated that it was in discussion with real estate firms to open Sea Life centres in multiple cities in India.[4]

Europe

Germany

United Kingdom

Others

Former sites

North America

United States

Oceania

Controversies

Sea Life centres have been criticised over animal welfare, with the Marine Conservation Society calling a 30% per annum mortality rate "disturbing."[11] The charity Freedom for Animals has criticised Sea Life over their conservation claims and also for the presence of Beluga whales at attractions.[12] [13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Interview: Merlin and the money men. 2021-10-29. Leisuremanagement.co.uk.
  2. Web site: Merlin Entertainments announces world's first standalone Peppa Pig Resort in Sichuan, China. Merlinentertainments.biz. 18 November 2021.
  3. Web site: Madame Tussauds' wax museum to open in Delhi. 13 November 2015. 18 November 2021. Thehindu.com.
  4. Web site: Agarwal. Sapna. After Madame Tussauds, Merlin set to bring Legoland, Sea Life to India. Livemint.com/. 1 December 2017. 17 January 2017.
  5. News: German 'psychic' octopus predicts victory for Spain . BBC News. 2010-07-07. 2010-07-07.
  6. News: Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary to close at the end of October . BBC News . 6 September 2018.
  7. Web site: After careful consideration, we have taken the difficult decision to close SEA LIFE Bray towards the end of this year. Please see more information below. . Visit Sea Life . 30 October 2023.
  8. Web site: Kelly Tarlton's set for $5.5m upgrade. Jessica. Tasman-Jones. stuff.co.nz. Fairfax New Zealand Limited. 17 March 2012. 25 March 2012.
  9. Web site: Locations. Merlin Entertainments. 4 June 2012. dead. https://archive.today/20130115033334/http://www.merlinentertainments.biz/en/company/locations.aspx. 15 January 2013.
  10. Web site: Merlin Entertainments Group Announces $10 Million Sydney Aquarium Refurbishment. ausleisure.com.au. Australian Leisure Management. 7 March 2012. 25 March 2012.
  11. Web site: Sea Life centre sees a third of animals die in a year. 8 March 2018. 18 November 2021. Bbc.co.uk.
  12. Web site: Conservation claims of Sea Life centres don't stand up to scrutiny. Freedomforanimals.org.uk. 19 February 2018 . 18 November 2021.
  13. Web site: Jun Jun the beluga whale dies under the care of Merlin Entertainments. Freedomforanimals.org.uk. 21 February 2018 . 18 November 2021.