A shipping container system for live sea life comprising a housing with perforate essentially rigid walls for receiving live sea life therein. A flexible plastic bag is adapted to receive the housing therein and also adapted to hold a quantity of water therein to partially fill the plastic bag. A rigid foam box with an open top is adapted to receive the plastic bag while containing the housing therein with the box having a top adapted to cover the open top and with the box adapted to contain the plastic bag in an upright orientation. A pump is secured within the plastic bag and adapted to create a flow of fluid through the housing. A rigid cardboard container is adapted to receive the rigid foam box therein to provide protection for the foam box and its contents. Further provided are means to preclude water leakage from the plastic bag in the event of inversion of the container system.
