TORONTO—As Marineland seeks new permits to export its remaining beluga whales and dolphins to the US, Animal Justice is urging the federal government to ensure any export conditions are consistent with Canadian law and guarantee the animals won’t be used for breeding if they are sent to the US.
Today, the Canadian Press confirmed that Marineland has submitted export permit applications to move 30 belugas and four dolphins to U.S aquariums as it seeks to clear the animals from its closed Niagara Falls facility. Marineland is again threatening to kill the whales if their demands are not met.
“This is not simply about where the whales go,” said lawyer Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice. “It is about the quality of their lives once they leave Canada, and ensuring US facilities respect our laws that prohibit breeding or exploiting these whales and dolphins in performances.
Under federal law, export permits can only be issued if a transfer is in the best interests of each animal. This requires an assessment and consideration of the unique medical condition and needs of each animal. The federal Fisheries Minister already denied Marineland’s request to sell off the belugas to China, on the grounds that sending them there was not in their best interests.
“Sending whales to the United States is not automatically acceptable because the destination is closer,” said Ms. Labchuk. “The key question is whether these animals will be placed back into breeding programs, something Canada rightfully chose to prohibit. This generation of belugas and dolphins must be the last in captivity; any breeding would perpetuate the cruelty of keeping whales in miserable tanks, which Canadian law now bans. Any export permits must permanently and verifiably restrict the US aquariums from breeding the animals.”
Marineland also continues to ignore a solution closer to home: the Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP) in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia. The 100-acre seaside sanctuary, recently approved by the Nova Scotia government, could provide a permanent, peaceful home for some of the belugas confined in cramped tanks at Marineland.
“Marineland spent decades raking in millions of dollars by exploiting whales and dolphins. Once Canada outlawed that cruel business, it was clear that the park would one day close. It’s appalling that Marineland hasn’t set aside even a fraction of their profits to retire these whales to a sanctuary, giving them a second chance after the misery of being confined to a tank for their entire lives.”
In December, France moved to protect two captive orcas by facilitating their potential transfer to the Nova Scotia whale sanctuary, showing how governments can take decisive action to secure long-term, humane homes for cetaceans.
“Canada can take a page from the French government’s example by working collaboratively to get respite for the whales through proactive leadership,” Ms. Labchuk said.
Nineteen beluga whales have died at Marineland since 2019, along with one dolphin and Kiska, the facility’s lone killer whale. Marineland last threatened to kill its remaining 30 belugas last year when its attempt to export the whales to China was denied.
Contact:
Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
Camille Labchuk
Executive Director
[email protected]