Florida Marlins' Planned Aquarium Is All Wet

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The Florida Marlins plan to spend millions on their new stadium, which is set to open in 2012. But they can save countless animals' lives as well as tons of money by rethinking plans to build two saltwater aquariums as part of the project.

Instead of exposing fish to the loud crowds, bright lights, and reverberations of a baseball stadium in an unnatural environment that will certainly have a negative impact on the health and well-being of the fish, the team should consider one of several innovative alternatives. We've asked the Marlins to explore the following possibilities:

• Artist-designed aquariums full of beautiful blown-glass animals offer unique and eye-catching displays.
• The stadium could feature a coordinated display of 16 high-definition plasma screens showing underwater footage of sea life. Footage using this technology (called 9X Media) is taken by professional divers and showcases the true magic and mystery of the seas—something that an artificial ecosystem simply cannot replicate.
• Finally, the Marlins could feature realistic robotic fish like those that the Bridge Marine Science Group in the U.K. plans to use to detect pollution in ports throughout Wales.

Considering all these fresh and innovative alternatives, there's no reason why the Marlins can't think "outside the tank." Let Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria know that you think our suggestions are home runs!

Written by Jennifer O'Connor