Victory: 30 Captive Belugas Blocked from Export to China
By Mark J. Palmer
In a stunning move, the Canadian government heeded the advice of marine mammal experts, Canadian activists, and the International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) of Earth Island Institute, denying the notorious park, Marineland, Ontario, a permit to allow export of 30 captive beluga whales to a large entertainment park in China.
“The Canadian government’s denial of exporting 30 captive belugas from Marineland to China is a bold decision, making clear that belugas don’t belong in captive tanks for entertainment,” stated David Phillips, Executive Director of IMMP.
According to the Minister of the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Joanne Thompson, she could not “in good conscience” send the belugas to yet another concrete tank in an amusement park.
Thompson had visited Marineland recently and stated, "It was obvious to me that whales belong in the ocean. To see 30 belugas in contained spaces was very difficult."
At least 19 beluga whales have died at Marineland since 2019, along with a lone orca.
"I would love to see the whales in a sanctuary and allow them to live their lives in a space that really is more aligned with what we know is the best environment for the whales," Thompson said. "That would be a wonderful outcome."
In 2019, Canada passed legislation prohibiting the import, export, and keeping of any whales or dolphins. Marineland’s beluga whales were allowed to stay, but the company closed their doors and began efforts to export them to China’s Chimelong Aquarium, a major entertainment park.
Minister Thompson noted that sending the belugas to China would violate the provisions of Canada’s law to end the use of cetaceans for entertainment.
Phillips stated, “Marineland Ontario’s facilities are deteriorating, and moving belugas to China would be just as inhumane. Belugas deserve better lives in seaside sanctuaries.”
The Whale Sanctuary Project has been working for several years on obtaining permits to establish a whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia, capable of keeping belugas or orcas in a cold-water environment. Some infrastructure has been completed and is in place.
In the meantime, the government must bring in a team of outside experts and veterinarians to assess the health of the animals as soon as possible.
“All whales belong in the ocean, not in tanks for entertainment purposes,” Minister Thompson concluded.
This decision is a start for a broader effort to determine where captive belugas can retire to seaside sanctuaries, where they can have healthier lives.
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Your support for the work of the IMMP team has resulted in this victory for the remaining 30 beluga whales, stranded in concrete tanks in a closed park in Canada. We need your help to keep the pressure on the Canadian government to take active, immediate steps to help these belugas. The government should send in a team of experts to assess the health of the animals and host meetings with activists, veterinarians, and scientists to determine whether the belugas can be safely moved and where they can be re-housed. Thank you for your support!
