Passing the SWIMS Act (H.R. 7145 and S. 3694): What You Can Do!
By Mark J. Palmer
On Tuesday, January 30th, Rep. Adam Schiff, Senator Ron Wyden, and a number of co-sponsors introduced legislation to phase out the captivity of several small whale species that should never have been subjected to life imprisonment in tiny concrete tanks.
The SWIMS Act (H.R. 7145 and S. 3694) would phase out captivity in the US for orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales and false killer whales. All four species are ill-suited for captivity – they are too intelligent, too social, and too wide-ranging to be stuck on land instead of in the sea, where they belong. The legislation would prohibit exporting or importing, moving or breeding these species in captivity. Moving the animals to seaside sanctuaries, as an alternative to small tanks, would be permitted.
Passage of the SWIMS Act is major priority of the International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) of Earth Island Institute and our colleagues. IMMP is working with Congressional leaders and a coalition of environmental and animal welfare organizations seeking passage of the SWIMS Act this year.
We expect fierce opposition from SeaWorld and other aquariums. They have highly paid lobbyists in Washington DC, and they can be very effective.
But in order for the legislation to move forward in a very contentious Congress, we need YOUR help.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Your members of Congress need to hear from you!
Contact your House Representative and two Senators. Urge them to support and pass the SWIMS Act (H.R. 7145 and S. 3694) as soon as possible.
Encourage them to co-sponsor this important legislation – the more co-sponsors, the more likely Congressional leadership will consider the legislation for votes.
Tell them of your own reasons for phasing out the captivity of these intelligent animals that have been robbed of their families and reduced to performing tricks in order to get food. There is no valid reason to keep these magnificent animals in captivity.
For information on contacting your two Senators in Washington DC, go here.
For information on contacting your member of the House of Representatives, go here.
(HINT: Most websites for each Representative and Senator will have a CONTACT page with information on how to contact them, usually including a form for emails.)
You can also call the Capitol Switchboard (1) 202-224-3121 and ask the operator to connect you with your Representative’s or Senator’s office.
Address Letters to:
Your Representative (Rep. John Doe)
House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Your Senator (Senator John Doe)
Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Need more information on orca captivity? See our new web pages.
Thanks for your support of the SWIMS Act!
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The SWIMS Act is a major priority, but it is not our only priority. The International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute is pursuing an end to whaling in Iceland. We initiated a lawsuit to stop the massive Barataria Sediment Project in Louisiana which would damage wetlands and wipe out a population of dolphins. We are also working with Japanese activists to halt the slaughter and captures of dolphins in the notorious Cove in Taiji. And we need your support! Please donate to help protect whales, dolphins and their ocean homes. Thank you!
