From Michael Budkie on Progressive Charlestown, September 19, 2024
The Mystic Aquarium (aka Sea Research Foundation) has been slapped with a
$12,200 federal fine by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture for animal abuse and
breaking federal law, according to a national watchdog, which filed a
federal complaint leading to the penalty.
SAEN, a non-profit Ohio-based non-governmental watchdog that monitors U.S.
research facilities for illegal behavior and animal abuse, previously filed
a federal complaint with the USDA regarding multiple federal Animal Welfare
Act violations from the USDA.
The federal fine also addresses significant water quality issues that
endangered the health of two other marine mammals, Jetta and Havana. Both of
these whales were receiving veterinary care for multiple issues when the
water quality issues were discovered.
The USDA fine penalized Mystic Aquarium for improper animal handling,
inadequate veterinary care, and poor water quality in marine mammal
enclosures, said SAEN.