Alec Baldwin And PETA Try To Block Proposed Nassau Aquarium

Actor Alec Baldwin, a Massapequa native, has penned a letter to the Town of Oyster Bay asking town officials to block a proposed aquarium from opening in the Westfield Sunrise Mall.

The company, SeaQuest Holdings, is seeking permits to build an interactive aquarium in the mall. SeaQuest aquariums feature animals from all over the world that guests can interact with, as well as exhibits where they can swim with exotic marine life.

However, many SeaQuest locations have come under fire for the treatment of their animals. In addition to protests from animal rights groups, the chains have also faced action from local governments.

"The owner of this sleazy chain, Vince Covino, has not only flouted the law nearly everywhere he goes but also left untold animal suffering in his wake," Baldwin wrote in his letter. "Covino and SeaQuest have faced scrutiny from a state finance agency, a state wildlife agency, and a state agriculture agency. Allegations of animal neglect have followed him from Oregon to Nevada to Colorado."

The Town of Oyster Bay has not yet reached a decision on the application. Public comments are still open.

Here's Baldwin's full letter:

Dear Supervisor Saladino and Town Board,

I grew up in Massapequa, and I still visit, from time to time. When I learned from my friends at PETA about plans to allow a SeaQuest aquarium to open at the Westfield Sunrise Mall, my reaction was immediate: Please do not allow this awful operation in town.

The owner of this sleazy chain, Vince Covino, has not only flouted the law nearly everywhere he goes but also left untold animal suffering in his wake.

Covino and SeaQuest have faced scrutiny from a state finance agency, a state wildlife agency, and a state agriculture agency. Allegations of animal neglect have followed him from Oregon to Nevada to Colorado.

Inspectors from the Colorado Department of Agriculture issued a cease and desist order earlier this year because SeaQuest was operating without a permit. When the permit was denied, the company brazenly went ahead and opened anyway. It was also fined by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department for importing three mammals into Colorado without permits.

Last year, Covino was fined $5,000 by the Idaho Department of Finance after failing to reveal a prior securities-related disciplinary fine and suspension to potential investors.

Former employees at Covino's aquariums have come forward to report appalling neglect and abuse, including animals who were reportedly starving and routinely denied veterinary care. One former staffer said that he saw "at least 300 animals" die at the SeaQuest Las Vegas location. At the now-closed Portland Aquarium owned by Covino and his brother, Ammon, more than 200 animals reportedly died in just a few months—many allegedly from starvation, infections, and other seemingly preventable causes.

I urge you to deny the permit application that would allow Vince Covino to bring his cruel and deadly operation to our lovely hamlet. Decent people do not want it here.

Sincerely,

Alec Baldwin

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images