The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has rejected Marineland Canada’s bid to transfer its 30 remaining beluga whales to a Chinese theme park. DFO Minister Joanne Thompson stated that she could not approve the move, citing the need to safeguard marine mammals from exploitation as per Fisheries Act regulations.
Thompson expressed her disapproval of keeping the belugas in captivity for public entertainment, highlighting the detrimental impact on their health due to living in captivity. Visiting Marineland personally, Thompson emphasized the whales’ natural habitat in the ocean and the challenges of witnessing them confined in enclosed spaces.
The 2019 Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act prohibits the breeding or entertainment use of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in Canada. Special federal permits are required for exporting these animals, with the fisheries minister authorized to grant permits only for scientific research or if captivity elsewhere is in the animals’ best interest.
While Thompson indicated a willingness to consider future permit applications focusing on the whales’ welfare, she emphasized that Marineland and the province hold responsibility for the whales’ future. Marineland faces potential bankruptcy following the denial, prompting discussions about the fate of the whales, including the possibility of euthanasia.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed disappointment over the federal government’s decision, advocating for the whales’ well-being in a suitable environment. Despite the setback, a Chinese theme park, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, expressed interest in acquiring the belugas. Marineland’s closure and the ongoing care for the remaining belugas and dolphins were captured in drone footage by CBC News.
Provincial authorities, including the solicitor general and the fisheries minister, have been monitoring Marineland’s animal welfare practices. Calls for establishing a whale sanctuary off the coast of Nova Scotia have been proposed as a more suitable long-term solution for the belugas, aligning with the advocacy for a sanctuary by animal rights groups.
Denying the export permits was commended by animal welfare organizations, emphasizing the need for ensuring the best care for the belugas. Advocates are urging the province to take a leading role in safeguarding the whales’ welfare and considering alternatives such as accelerating the sanctuary project or repurposing Marineland into a facility overseen by independent experts.
