On Feb. 26th, the International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) of Earth Island Institute filed papers to intervene in support of ending orca captivity in California in the pending legal case “SeaWorld v California Coastal Commission.”
“Orcas don’t belong in captivity,” stated David Phillips, Director of IMMP. “They are too big, too intelligent, and too far-ranging to be put in small concrete tanks to perform circus tricks.”
“We are seeking to support the California Coastal Commission findings to end all breeding, import, and transfers of captive orcas at SeaWorld San Diego. stated Phillips. “It was a lawful, science-based and widely supported moral decision by the Commission and should be upheld by the courts.” Phillips further stated: “The State of California and the public should not be bullied by SeaWorld’s legal efforts to overturn the Coastal Commission’s decision.”
SeaWorld San Diego sought CA Coastal Commission approval of an expansion of their orca tanks. On October 8th, 2015, the Commission overwhelmingly approved, by a vote of 12-1, an amendment to ban breeding and transfers of orcas into or out of SeaWorld San Diego. IMMP was one of hundreds of scientists, organizations, and individuals that testified in support of the Commission action. In response, SeaWorld sued the Commission.
“At SeaWorld San Diego, highly social orcas are repeatedly removed from their mothers,” added Phillips. “In bare concrete tanks doing repetitive show tricks – captive orcas must work for their food – leading to depression, lowered immunity, and an early death in captivity.”
Earth Island’s IMMP is being represented pro-bono by the law firm of Covington & Burling.