The New Year’s Eve event scheduled at the Aquarium de Paris has been a subject of concern for animal rights activists from the Paris Animaux Zoopolis (PAZ) association. They argue that the event could potentially harm the animals and violate the law. Specifically, the association has raised issues with the presentation of animals in nightclubs, which they claim is prohibited by a 2021 law.
The event, which is set to host around 1,500 guests who will have the opportunity to dance in front of the largest tank in France surrounded by thousands of fish, has been the center of controversy. PAZ argues that the fish are confined in tanks and are disturbed at night by the sound and light. However, the aquarium’s president, Alexis Powilewicz, has refuted these claims, stating that the tank walls provide insulation from noise and light and that veterinary reports have shown no signs of distress in the animals.
In response to the legal concerns, it was revealed that the administrative court of Paris ruled in favor of the NGO Sea Shepherd, stating that the aquarium’s operating permit only allowed for the “presentation of animal species” to the public, not evening events. As a result, the court ordered the police prefecture to ensure compliance with the law, and the City of Paris, the owner of the aquarium, has indicated that they will review measures to ensure regulations are met. The legal dispute remains ongoing.
