[Coral-List] Petco kills corals: corporate policy

Damien Beri beridl at g.cofc.edu
Wed Mar 6 04:09:31 UTC 2019



A seemingly small 59 gallon coral tank sits in the basement of a watery sales floor. It’s small in comparison to the 300 gallon fish systems lined up by series of 10. The basement is frequented by guests in the thousands, all looking to create their own personal home aquarium. A slice of nature, completely powerless to the hands of humans, a symbol of our attitude to control and tame nature. The humming of pumps circulate dechlorinated water through fish systems, heaters preset to 78 degrees add a humid musty smell in the air. This is the Petco in Union square, Manhattan New York. It is one of the top Petco’s in the nation, and signifies the ideal for corporate pet shops across the globe. 

I was hired to take on the saltwater system, and to restore it to pushing 2,000$/week of saltwater fish. Not a trivial amount, but certainly a minimum when gem tangs from Mauritius sell for upwards of $3,000. The coral tank however, has caused a significant strain to my conscious. Recently setup with a powerful Radion 60 watt LED, a mini sun reigns over the fragments of coral. It’s strong however, too strong. The corals, at the mercy of man, fry by the second. The light, worth almost $1000 is programmable, but set to improper levels. Installed by one of Petco corporates lead aquatics specialist, they knew nothing of the lights programming. 

Having excessive experience with these lights, I ask my manager if I can reprogram it. Immediately I am met with backlash. Employees cannot reprogram lights, it must go through corporate. I demand to change risking termination of my employment, but I calm myself. The extensive process of going through corporate, which could care less, and still weeks later has given no answer on the programming the light is timed only by the death of corals. Fragments are replaced by the week, when a coral dies it is simply replaced, as if Petco had divers in Bali ripping up corals and bringing them over by plain to replace dead ones. As simple as the solution is, the problem remains complex, and it represents a critical flaw in the regulated trade of aquatic invertebrates. While a guinepig showing first signs of sickness needs to be taken to a vet within 24 hours through Petco’s policy, the death of coral, fish, and other inverts is met simply by the depths of a trash can. There is no motive to heal, quarantine, or help sick animals of these realms. 

A sad story for the coral trade. 


Warm regards,
Damien Beri

-Masters In Marine Conservation and Policy
Stony Brook University

-Regulatory Compliance Intern
Billion Oyster Project

-Founder
Reefined Arts Coral Restoration








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