GET ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
magazine
Yes! Send me the FREE digital edition of Attractions Management and the FREE weekly Attractions Management ezines and breaking news alerts!
Not right now, thanksclose this window
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
Controversy surrounds planned San Antonio Aquarium
POSTED 12 Sep 2014 . BY Alice Davis
Exterior view of Portland Aquarium Credit: Darkpool via Wikimedia
The last thing anybody wants around an aquarium is murky waters. But recent reports of a new aquatic attraction opening in San Antonio, Texas, are mired in controversy.

Concerns have arisen because of the owner’s recent history in the aquarium business.

Vince Covino says he wants San Antonio Aquarium to be the “best aquarium in the world for a 10-year-old.”

But the controversy and reports that emanate from his other aquariums, co-owned with his brother Ammon Covino, place that ambition in jeopardy. The Covino brothers co-own Portland Aquarium, Idaho Aquarium and Austin Aquarium.

Ammon Covino is currently in jail serving a one-year sentence for conspiring to bring illegally harvested spotted rays and lemon sharks to his aquarium in Boise, Idaho. The jail term is followed by a two-year ban on working with wildlife exhibits or purchasing animals. Former Idaho Aquarium director Chris Conk was also found guilty.

Meanwhile, at Portland Aquarium, the Oregon Humane Society was last year holding an investigation after staff leaked details of the alleged deaths of more than 200 animals. “We were investigating the Portland Aquarium based on complaints,” Barbara Baugnon, the society’s marketing communications director, told Attractions Management. “We found no issues that violated the law so the case is now closed.” Vince Covino denied any maltreatment of animals at the Portland Aquarium in 2013.

He is planning to house 3,000 animals, with snakes, lizards and birds as well as fish and marine life at San Antonio. The site is currently a disused car dealership.

Despite his brother Ammon’s conviction, Vince Covino last month told the San Antonio Express-News that the door was open for him to “become director or employee down the road.”

So far, none of the Covino attractions have AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) accreditation.
MORE NEWS
The Everyday Heritage initiative celebrates and preserves working class histories
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal announces long-awaited details of its Epic Universe, set to open in 2025
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Heartbreak for Swedish theme park, Liseberg, as fire breaks out
A fire has destroyed part of the new water world, Oceana, at Liseberg in Sweden, and a construction worker has been reported missing.
Museum director apologises after comparing the city of Florence to a sex worker
Museum director Cecilie Hollberg has come under fire for comparing the city to a sex worker due to uncontrolled mass tourism.
+ More news   
LATEST JOBS
Director of Operations
Active Luton
Salary: £61,000 - £64,000 + exceptional pension + excellent benefits
Job location: Luton , United Kingdom
Chief Executive Officer, Mount Batten Centre
Mount Batten Group
Salary: c£65,000pa + pension + benefits
Job location: mount batten centre, plymouth , United Kingdom
+ More jobs  

COMPANY PROFILES
TechnoAlpin

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. Our product portfolio includes all different [more...]
Red Raion

Founded in 2014, Red Raion is the CGI studio for media-based attractions. [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

08-08 May 2024

Hospitality Design Conference

Hotel Melià , Milano , Italy
10-12 May 2024

Asia Pool & Spa Expo

China Import & Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China
+ More diary  
LATEST ISSUES
+ View Magazine Archive

Attractions Management

2024 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2023 issue 4


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2023 issue 3


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2023 issue 2


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management News

06 Apr 2020 issue 153


View on turning pages
Download PDF
View archive
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Handbook

2019


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2024
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Controversy surrounds planned San Antonio Aquarium
POSTED 12 Sep 2014 . BY Alice Davis
Exterior view of Portland Aquarium Credit: Darkpool via Wikimedia
The last thing anybody wants around an aquarium is murky waters. But recent reports of a new aquatic attraction opening in San Antonio, Texas, are mired in controversy.

Concerns have arisen because of the owner’s recent history in the aquarium business.

Vince Covino says he wants San Antonio Aquarium to be the “best aquarium in the world for a 10-year-old.”

But the controversy and reports that emanate from his other aquariums, co-owned with his brother Ammon Covino, place that ambition in jeopardy. The Covino brothers co-own Portland Aquarium, Idaho Aquarium and Austin Aquarium.

Ammon Covino is currently in jail serving a one-year sentence for conspiring to bring illegally harvested spotted rays and lemon sharks to his aquarium in Boise, Idaho. The jail term is followed by a two-year ban on working with wildlife exhibits or purchasing animals. Former Idaho Aquarium director Chris Conk was also found guilty.

Meanwhile, at Portland Aquarium, the Oregon Humane Society was last year holding an investigation after staff leaked details of the alleged deaths of more than 200 animals. “We were investigating the Portland Aquarium based on complaints,” Barbara Baugnon, the society’s marketing communications director, told Attractions Management. “We found no issues that violated the law so the case is now closed.” Vince Covino denied any maltreatment of animals at the Portland Aquarium in 2013.

He is planning to house 3,000 animals, with snakes, lizards and birds as well as fish and marine life at San Antonio. The site is currently a disused car dealership.

Despite his brother Ammon’s conviction, Vince Covino last month told the San Antonio Express-News that the door was open for him to “become director or employee down the road.”

So far, none of the Covino attractions have AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) accreditation.
MORE NEWS
The Everyday Heritage initiative celebrates and preserves working class histories
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal announces long-awaited details of its Epic Universe, set to open in 2025
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Heartbreak for Swedish theme park, Liseberg, as fire breaks out
A fire has destroyed part of the new water world, Oceana, at Liseberg in Sweden, and a construction worker has been reported missing.
Museum director apologises after comparing the city of Florence to a sex worker
Museum director Cecilie Hollberg has come under fire for comparing the city to a sex worker due to uncontrolled mass tourism.
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Populous have unveiled their plans for a state-of-the-art e-sports arena, designed to stand as a central landmark in Qiddaya City’s gaming and e-sports district, Saudi Arabia.
Raby Castle reveals ambitious plans to become a major visitor destination
Raby Castle, known as one of the finest medieval fortifications in England, is nearing the end of an ambitious two-year renovation project.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
TechnoAlpin

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. Our product portfolio includes all different [more...]
Red Raion

Founded in 2014, Red Raion is the CGI studio for media-based attractions. [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

08-08 May 2024

Hospitality Design Conference

Hotel Melià , Milano , Italy
10-12 May 2024

Asia Pool & Spa Expo

China Import & Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2024

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS