Using Aquarium Netting to Protect Residents & Guests, While Adding a Splash of Entertainment
September 2021
According to The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums, member facilities served more than 200 million annual visitors worldwide in 2018, with 183 million of them in the U.S.! Those visitors contributed more than $22.5 billion to the U.S. economy in that year alone. It’s no surprise that people still love to visit aquariums and zoos.
The increase of people creates more significant injuries risks and, therefore, an increased need for safety and crowd control. While aquariums serve as exciting entertainment venues, they also have a more noble mission: educate the public while preserving and protecting their residents and guests.
This is where netting comes in. It serves three primary purposes: Animal Management, Guest Protection, and Guest Entertainment. Let’s take a closer look at how and where netting is used across these facilities:
Animal Management & Guest Protection
Underwater Barrier Nets – designed to isolate or quarantine animals in the same tank while not impeding water flow. Barrier nets are available in various mesh sizes and strengths to contain a range of marine life from minnows to whales.
Introduction/Quarantine Cubes – barrier netting is also ideal for fish introduction boxes. They are lightweight and gentle on marine life. The netting is custom-fitted around a rigid frame, featuring hook and loop hatch closure for access.
Tank Cover Nets – when fish and other aquatic life like to push the limits of their confinement, a tank net covering the top of the tank may be needed. These nets are a popular solution to prevent dangerous nighttime excursions when staff is not present.
Shade Nets – For many species, long-term direct sunlight in exposed tanks can be dangerous. Shade nets provide refuge from the sun and are easy to install and maintain.
Contamination Prevention Netting – harmful debris from guests such as coins, trash, and cell phones can seriously disrupt sensitive aquatic environments. Containment prevention netting is used to catch falling objects before they land. Color options allow the netting to accentuate and blend in with the scenery, keeping guests’ eyes focused on the exhibits and their inhabitants.
Patron Safety Netting – Safety nets capable of arresting a fall are typically used under viewing areas and anywhere there is a heightened risk of guests or staff falling. Having a reliable safety netting system installed in potentially dangerous areas protects guests and animals while lowering liability.
Polyester Theme Netting – Nautical-themed rope net fencing is a popular option to provide safety and access control while contributing to a fun, visually appealing and immersive guest experience.
Guest Entertainment
It’s no secret that thanks to technology, it’s increasingly more challenging to hold a child’s attention these days. Net-based play systems provide exciting entertainment that allows them to have fun while expanding their minds and developing critical motor skills. There’s a lot more to it, too. For instance:
- Exhibit netting can allow for more creative and immersive engagements, where guests can better interact with the animals safely.
- Having net-based play structures throughout a facility helps spread the crowd around. This alleviates capacity issues for exhibits with tighter spaces. You know, like the creepy reptile and spider pavilions.
- A mini playground or shade structure gives parents and children alike the opportunity to take a break. Slowing people down allows them to stay longer and have a more enjoyable experience overall.
- When people stay around longer, they tend to spend more on concessions and gift shop goodies.
- When guests enjoy a memorable day, they will want to come back. As a result, they’ll be more likely to purchase a membership. Further, they become brand ambassadors and share their experiences with friends and neighbors, encouraging them to plan their own visits to the aquarium.
All this adds up to increased fun and safety for everyone. And, of course, more revenue for the facilities. This allows them to further invest in their mission of protecting and preserving marine life while entertaining and educating the public.
InCord can create a custom netting solution to enhance your operations and guest experience, from animal management to guest protection. Request a custom quote today.
“We’ve been able to become more efficient about our net usage and our repair process because we can send them out for repair and have them back very quickly” – Monique Park, Mystic Aquarium Learn more about InCord’s partnership with Mystic Aquarium A leader today and tomorrow.
InCord, founded in 1995, is North America’s largest manufacturer of custom safety netting and is a Top Workplace recipient in Connecticut. InCord provides custom netting solutions for Material Handling, Construction, Amusement, Sports, Theatre, Service Pits (BayNets™), Specialty, and Environmental/Ecological Restoration markets. InCord’s custom solutions meet or exceed applicable safety standards due to consistent research, testing, and direct involvement with renowned safety organizations, such as ANSI, OSHA, and ASTM. InCord also offers in-house design, installation, and extraordinary customer service for a complete, turn-key experience. InCord is a women-owned company. Green Bureau Certified Platinum
