Help Stop Construction of World's Largest Aquarium & Animal Lab

Animal rights campaigners are calling for the plans of a controversial aquarium and animal laboratory in Bedford to be halted following the announcement that the government has given the go-ahead for the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) to provide loans for the £250m project.
freshwater bass
The National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats (NIRAH) Project is the brainchild of a group of scientists, many with links to pharmaceutical companies, and will house thousands of species of freshwater fish, amphibians and reptiles. The funds raised by the aquarium through visitor entrance fees will be used to 'explore the scientific potential of freshwater animals'. This will include research into animal toxins, venoms and secretions for use by the pharmaceutical industry as well as ways to farm fish and reptiles for their meat. The local councils have given the project their full support, anticipating up to two million visitors annually and the creation of 2,500 jobs bringing in up to £200million each year to the local economy.

The Nirah Project is backed by a consortium that includes three local councils and the EEDA. The Department of Energy, Productivity and Industry have already given a £4m loan to develop a business plan and a final design.

The Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS) have accused Bedfordshire County Council of misleading the public over the Nirah Project. In letters to concerned individuals who complained about the council's support for the aquarium and lab, Tim Malynn, Strategic Director for the Environment at Bedfordshire County Council, wrote, “The Nirah project is not designed to snatch animals from the wild, nor does it seek to conduct 'experiments' on animals.”

However, according to Nirah, “Between 15 - 20% of species in the aquarium are likely to be wild-caught, and reptiles, snakes and amphibians will be used to investigate the 'biomedical potential' of toxins, venoms and secretions.”

Nirah have also told CAPS that they would sell some 'surplus' animals bred at the aquarium to collectors and hobbyists, that they will research the breeding of animals for human consumption and that they will not rule out keeping dolphins or other cetaceans (or any mammals at all).

Craig Redmond, Campaigns Officer for the Captive Animals' Protection Society, said, “We believe that to allow the NIRAH project to go ahead would be a travesty for animal welfare. Society should be moving away from the captivity of animals for entertainment and the use of animals in laboratories. Education and conservation is not served by putting animals into captivity.”

He continued, “For the council to be giving inaccurate information to
concerned members of the public is outrageous. This is typical of the unwillingness of those backing NIRAH to properly debate this issue in public. The councils and NIRAH refused to send any officials to speak at a recent public meeting in Bedford to discuss the animal welfare implications of the project. What have they got to hide?”

Last year, a report by an independent scientist commissioned by CAPS found that aquariums in Britain cause serious animal welfare problems. 80% of animals in aquaria have been wild-caught, abnormal behaviour and physical health problems were observed in virtually all aquaria, and aquaria have little to do with conservation.

UPDATE MARCH 2006
The cost of building the NIRAH Project has spiralled from £250 to £375 million.

Craig Redmond, Campaign Manager for the Captive Animals' Protection Society, said, "The latest announcement should start alarm bells ringing in the heads of all local tax payers. Not only has the estimated cost of building the aquarium risen by £125 million, but the councils' involvement appears to be behind the backs of local residents. Since when have any of the councils asked residents and taxpayers for their opinion on this? In fact, all three councils have refused to take part in public debate.