Think dolphins and whales don't belong in captivity? Are you a Canadian citizen? Then you need to sign this petition and share it as far and wide as you can!
The petition is to support Bill S-203, the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, an initiative to ultimately put an end to the cetacean captivity industry across the nation. The act would expand Canada's existing criminal code provisions that prohibit abuse of animals to ban all acquisition and captive breeding of cetaceans. Captures would only be allowed in instances where individuals are injured and need help.
Introduced by Senator Wilfred Moore last year and supported by Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party, and a host of other individuals and organizations, including the International Marine Mammal Project, the proposed bill follows legislation passed over the summer that makes imports, exports and breeding of orcas illegal in the province of Ontario, as well as SeaWorld's phasing out of orca captivity (despite the problems we see with that).
Should it pass, the bill will effectively place cetaceans beyond the use of the entertainment industry in Canada, and would set an exciting precedent for cetaceans worldwide, sending a clear message to the global captivity industry that the tide of public opinion continues to turn against them, especially at a time when the world's first cetacean sanctuaries are being planned.
The deadline for collecting signatures on this petition is July 18. Pleas sign and share with all of your Canadian friends, to "do the right thing and support this evidence-based policy."