Sea Life Brighton: Protesters call for fish to be freed from aquarium

The campaigners from Close Sealife and Freedom for Animals handed out leaflets to members of the public demanding that 80-year-old turtles Lulu and Gulliver be freed.

Campaigners also wrote messages such as “Lulu the turtle, over 80 years in this prison” and spoke to those heading in to the aquarium calling on them to boycott the centre.

Sarah Whitehead, a protester with Close Sealife, said: “A few people have said to me the aquarium is completely outdated.

The sign outside the Sea life centre in Brighton (Image: NQ Staff)

“They’re not rescue animals or injured animals, they are healthy and kept in a tank so people can look at them.”

Lulu was rescued when she was a hatchling 70 years ago and protesters think that both her and Gulliver should be freed or taken to a sanctuary.

A petition to free the two green sea turtles has now amassed over 1,000 signatures.

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Laura Tomlinson, of Freedom for Animals, said: “Its awful that places like this still exist, we are right next to the sea where these animals should be living.

“It’s just heart-breaking to be able to see the vast oceans and see the miniscule tanks inside.

Lulu and Gulliver (Image: Sea Life Brighton)

“Progress is slow with aquariums as people find it harder to identify with fish than with mammals but we are getting there.”

The protest outside the centre in Marine Parade in Brighton coincided with Zoo Awareness Week, organised by Freedom for Animals.

In response to the campaign, a spokesman for Sea Life Brighton previously said Lulu is “not suitable for release” and would not have the “essential skills” to survive if she was released.

They added: "At Sea Life Brighton we respect everyone’s right to a peaceful protest, as long as we can continue to take care of our animals without any interference to our guests’ experience. The safety and security of our guests, staff and animals is our number one priority.

Sarah, centre left, and Laura, centre right, with other protesters (Image: NQ Staff)

"Before even coming to Sea Life, Lulu had been in captivity for over 30 years and had become reliant on human care. It would be very difficult for her to survive if she was suddenly released into the open ocean.

"She has been in captivity for the whole of her adult life. Her rehoming came with strict welfare measures and medical checks, as well as a programme of enrichment.

"Her new home in Brighton was found as it offers Lulu space to explore, a dedicated beach area and numerous places to dive and rest."

The centre added that all their animals are cared for “respectfully and ethically” and added that they rescue and release over 50 turtles each year.