PETA Media Center > Recent News Releases : PETA to Qua Nightclub: Let Sexy Mermaids Replace Live Sharks and Rays

For Immediate Release:
October 18, 2007

Contact:
Daniel Hauff 757-622-7382

Austin, Texas - This morning, PETA sent a letter to Mike Yassine, owner of Austin's newly opened Qua Bottle Lounge, urging him to immediately relocate the reef sharks, sting rays, and other aquatic animals confined to a tank beneath the dance floor to a more suitable environment and to replace the animals with sexy mermaids. PETA's letter follows allegations that at least three sharks have already died at the Qua Bottle Lounge and that a fourth shark is ill and being treated with antibiotics. PETA points out that these animals are extremely sensitive to sound, light, and vibration. They will suffer prolonged--and possibly fatal--stress if they are repeatedly subjected to the pounding of the music and the dancers' feet above them at the club.

Sharks, rays, and other aquatic animals confined to tanks are denied everything that is natural and important to them, such as swimming long distances and in straight lines, hunting and foraging for food, and experiencing ocean tides and currents. PETA is offering to assist Yassine in developing exciting alternative entertainment at the club that won't cause animals to suffer.

"Using sharks and rays as bar decorations is cruel and sure to turn off compassionate patrons," says PETA Director Debbie Leahy. "People go to nightclubs to have fun, not to torment animals. What could be more exciting than having mermaids swimming--of their own free will--beneath the dancers?"

PETA's letter to Qua Bottle Lounge owner Mike Yassine follows.

October 18, 2007

Mike Yassine, President
Yassine Enterprises
213 W. Fourth St., #200
Austin, TX 78701-3939

Dear Mr. Yassine:

PETA is an international nonprofit organization with more than 1.8 million members and supporters worldwide dedicated to animal protection. Although the Qua Bottle Lounge has just opened its doors, we have received many complaints regarding the sharks and rays held captive in the dance floor tank, including allegations that a number of the animals have already died. We urge you to place the animals in a more suitable environment and use this tank in a creative way that does not put live animals in harm's way.

Sharks have exceptional sensory systems that allow them to detect minute electrical fields and hear and sense low-frequency sounds and vibrations. Rays also have very keen senses. There is no doubt that the sharks and rays at your nightclub detect the pounding vibrations of the club's music as well as the dancers on top of the tank�in fact, the water reportedly ripples with the beat of the music, and the animals swim in a frantic manner. Despite the purported "soundproof" acrylic cover, the vibrations, lights, and sounds create a confusing and stressful atmosphere for the animals trapped inside the tank, agitating and tormenting them. The animals are being denied all the rich sensory experiences of their natural environment, the ability to swim freely, and the opportunity to hunt and forage for food.

We've also been notified that at least three sharks have allegedly died and that one is said to be sick and on antibiotic treatment. As these animals continue to be subjected to the stressful and unnatural conditions of a nightclub, the death toll will mount. This mistreatment will identify Qua as an irresponsible and uncaring enterprise rather than the innovative entertainment establishment that downtown Austin desires.

There are many cruelty-free ways to use the tank, such as by having beautiful swimming "mermaids" titillate and entertain guests. Will you please make the compassionate decision to move the sharks and rays to an environment where they can better express their natural behaviors? We would be more than happy to help you brainstorm other ideas that would suit your nightclub's atmosphere and clientele and to aid in publicizing your humane decision to relocate the sharks and rays.

May I please hear from you about this matter? I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Daniel Hauff
Animals in Entertainment Specialist

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