In response to widespread criticism of its husbandry of orcas, SeaWorld San Diego is putting forward a construction plan for the enlargement of its orca tanks. Because SeaWorld is based in California’s coastal zone, such a project requires approval from the California Coastal Commission.
SeaWorld plans to expand its tanks to 10 million gallons, doubling the size of the current orca tanks. (The proposal incidentally includes a new restroom as well.) With the revelations against SeaWorld from the documentary Blackfish and several books (Death at SeaWorld andBeneath the Surface) combined with criticism from Earth Island and other organizations, SeaWorld’s stock and attendance have both suffered.
SeaWorld knows it is obvious that the tanks they hold orcas in are way too small for these large and intelligent beings. But without admitting that its tanks are too small, SeaWorld spokespersons claim the tank expansion will help them and the public. In fact, SeaWorld plans to add an orca “treadmill” which will provide a current that orcas can swim against.
Unfortunately, orcas are not hamsters, and just providing orcas with a bigger cage with a water-current treadmill does not solve the many problems captivity poses to orcas, dolphins and belugas.
Reportedly, SeaWorld has been soliciting favorable comments from its attendees to send to the Coastal Commission, including form letters.
The California Coastal Commission was established by citizen’s initiative to oversee land-use and public access along California’s incredible coast. They could deny the permit, although SeaWorld’s lawyers have apparently written the Commission that the welfare and keeping of orcas in captivity is a federal responsibility (under the federal Marine Mammal Projection Act) and therefore the Commission is warned not to base a denial of the permit on the orcas. However, the Coastal Act gives the Commission broad powers over land-use, and keeping SeaWorld as a circus that conveys false information to the public about orcas in captivity is hardly of benefit to the people of the state of California.
The California Coastal Commission plans to air the proposal during their upcoming meeting in Chula Vista near San Diego April 12-14. (The exact day for the SeaWorld hearing will depend on the Commission’s overall schedule for the three-day meeting, which is being formulated now.) They could vote on it then, or they could continue it to another future meeting.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
PLEASE CONTACT THE COASTAL COMMISSION AND COMMENT.
Instead of putting its money into a multi-million dollar expansion of the same old concrete tanks for its captive orcas, SeaWorld should be retiring these orcas from performing and putting them in large sea pens. A sea pen is a more natural and larger enclosure that provides more stimulation while allowing feeding and veterinary care for the orcas.
Contact the CA Coastal Commission and urge them to oppose the SeaWorld Orca Enclosure Expansion scheme. This proposal is just a dodge by SeaWorld to continue business as usual in the face of strong opposition to continuing to keep orcas in small tanks doing dumb tricks for tourists. Our coastal zone is limited in size and should be protected for truly compatible uses that don’t take consumers for a ride by lying to them about the truth of orcas in captivity.
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: The Commission has postponed the item from their August meeting. Earliest it could be heard is at the Commission's Long Beach meeting in October. Keep watching our blogs for updates.
Refer to Item: CDP Application No. 6-15-0422: SeaWorld Orca Enclosure Expansion.
Comment by Email: seaworldorcafacility@coastal.ca.gov
By FAX: (619) 767-2384
By Regular Mail:
California Coastal Commission
7575 Metropolitan Drive #103
San Diego, CA 92108
Attend the Hearing:
Postponed from August; date to be announced. Keep watching our blogs for updates!
Thank you for your support for orcas in captivity! Earth Island will attend and testify at the hearing and will keep you informed of the process.