Animal welfare activists in Paris have raised concerns about the upcoming New Year’s Eve event at the Aquarium de Paris, claiming that it could potentially harm the well-being of the animals and violate the law. The association Paris Animaux Zoopolis (PAZ) voiced their opposition to the “exceptional New Year’s Eve” event, where around 1,500 guests are expected to dance in front of the largest tank in France, surrounded by thousands of fish from around the world.
The Aquarium de Paris, a historic institution now managed by a private company, has been hosting nightclub events since 2006, which contribute significantly to its revenue. However, PAZ argues that these events are illegal under a 2021 law that prohibits the “presentation of animals (…) in nightclubs.”
Amandine Sanvisens, co-founder of PAZ, emphasized that “fish are not attractions or decorations,” and expressed concern that the animals are confined in tanks and disturbed by the sound and light during these events. On the other hand, the aquarium’s president, Alexis Powilewicz, defended the event, stating that the acrylic walls of the tanks are sufficient to insulate the fish from the noise and activity outside.
He further asserted that veterinary reports have not shown any signs of distress or abnormal behavior in the animals, and that the nighttime activities at the aquarium have no impact on the fish. This was corroborated by a 2019 inspection by the departmental directorate for the protection of populations.
Despite this, the administrative court of Paris partially ruled in favor of the NGO Sea Shepherd, which sought to end the nightclub events at the aquarium. The court stated that the authorization for the aquarium was specifically for the “presentation to the public of animal species,” not for organizing events. As a result, it ordered the local police authority to take measures to ensure that the aquarium complies with the regulations. The matter is still ongoing, as confirmed by the AFP.
The City of Paris, as the owner of the aquarium’s premises, has also indicated that they will review the situation and take necessary measures to ensure compliance with the regulations.
The controversy surrounding the New Year’s Eve event at the Aquarium de Paris raises important questions about the ethical treatment of animals in entertainment settings, as well as the legal boundaries that govern such activities. It remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved and what implications it may have for similar establishments in the future.
