SeaQuest Pulls Application To Build Massapequa Aquarium

SeaQuest, a chain that was looking to build an aquarium in the Westfield Sunrise Mall in Massapequa, announced it was withdrawing its plans.

In a statement sent out Friday morning, SeaQuest CEO Vince Covino said that the length of the process to get approved led to the decision.

“We were tremendously excited to open an outpost on Long Island to bring the SeaQuest experience to residents here,” said Covino. “Unfortunately the length of the process to approve
the project began to make the reality of executing this location, along with the multiple other SeaQuest installations currently being developed, unrealistic for our team. We’re sorry it didn’t work out at the Sunrise Mall and we hope to explore other venues in the region and will announces these plans at a later date.”

SeaQuest faced opposition from animal rights activists since the project was first announced in October 2018. PETA, along with actor Alec Baldwin, wrote letters to Oyster Bay Town officials asking them to deny the aquarium's application.

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. But activists say that the animals in the aquariums are mistreated. Other SeaQuest locations have also faced scrutiny 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 announcement also leaves a large vacancy in the Westfield Sunrise Mall.

“We were looking forward to further diversify the mix of tenants at Westfield Sunrise to best
serve the community, and to bringing an exciting new education and entertainment option to
families," said a Westfield company spokesperson in a release. "We hope to have announcements regarding new openings at the center in the near future.”