Yorkshire MP's call for more support for zoos and aquariums through coronavirus

Hull West and Hessle Labour MP Emma Hardy called an adjournment debate in the Commons last night, as she highlighted the impact and contribution aquarium The Deep made to Hull.

Visits for schoolchildren and research for the University of Hull were among the points raised.

But she said the previously self-sufficient charity was now at risk due to being closed for 32 weeks due to coronavirus - and it would likely be one of the last places to reopen.

Ms Hardy said: “It has survived this far on its own reserves; on what was generated during the short restricted opening in the summer; from much welcome local public support; and with a loan. However, this money is now fast running out.”

She said although 90 per cent of The Deep’s staff had been furloughed, those caring for the animals could not be, and the costs of protecting the many creatures were still incurred.

And the loss of The Deep or other similar facilities “would not only wipe out the conservation work these facilities undertake but devastate a local economy”, she said.

“It would result in the loss of much needed jobs, reduce educational opportunities for 1.2m children - particularly in STEM subjects – as well as graduate and post-graduate learning and vital research projects.”

While Ms Hardy welcomed the Zoos Animals Fund announced by the Government last year, she said there were “grave concerns around the lack of funding that has been released from that fund, and that the sector has not received the specific support it requires in this pandemic and is now in urgent need of help”.

It remains the case that this fund is not comparable with recovery funds put in place successfully for other sectors,” she said.

“The Zoo Animal Fund only supports animal costs, not the costs associated with supporting the organisation through this pandemic, and crucially these funds become accessible too

late in the day for large zoos and aquariums.

“They simply cannot run with resources as low as eligibility for the fund requires. It is in effect a winding-up fund, available to support the costs of re-homing the animals or downsizing a collection should a facility fail. This is why, from the £100m available, £94m remains unclaimed since its announcement last summer.

“For the vast majority of zoos and aquariums these funds are inaccessible at the point they would do any good. The fact that 94 per cent of this fund lies untapped, when zoos and aquariums are likely to continue to remain closed for some time to come, should make it clear that the fund is not functioning to provide the support intended in a timely manner.”

She said: “There is therefore a clear need for the Government to commit to amend this scheme to become a true recovery fund, as we have seen implemented so proactively elsewhere in the cultural and heritage sector.”

Responding, Farming, Fisheries and Food Minister Victoria Prentis, said: "I thank the zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries that have worked so hard to ensure the welfare of the animals in their care. Zoos, as we have heard, contribute to conservation and education, helping both to sustain endangered species and to teach us all about animals’ natural habitats. We know, too, how hard zoos have worked to provide well managed covid-secure spaces, when they have been permitted to open. We ensured that the outdoor areas of zoos could open after the first lockdown, and we allowed those areas to remain open in tier 4 before Christmas."

She said: "I am aware that The Deep is in conversation with my officials, and I know that it has furloughed staff and tried hard to reduce its running costs. I am also aware that it has received a substantial loan from the coronavirus business interruption loan scheme."