The Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has denied the application of Marineland Canada to export its 30 remaining Beluga whales to a theme park in China.
In a statement, the Minister of DFO, Joanne Thompson, said he could not “in good awareness” approve the export and that his decision aligned with the regulations in the fishing law to protect the marine mammals from the exploitation.
“Approveing the application would have meant a continuous life in captivity and a return to public entertainment,” said Thompson.
“Like many of you, I am angry because these whales have lived a life of captivity and, as a result, your health has deteriorated,” he said. “Canadians expect it to act in the best interest of whales. In difficult circumstances with unfortunate results, that is what I have done.”
In an interview with CBC News on Wednesday, Thompson revealed that he personally visited Marineland last month and “looked at the Belugas in the eye.”
“It was obvious to me that whales belong to the ocean,” he said. “See 30 Belugas in contained spaces was very difficult.”
2019 Finish the captivity of whales and dolphins Forbidden to maintain whales, dolphins and marsopas for breeding or entertainment in Canada. Animal export requires a special federal permit.
The fishing minister can only issue an export permit if it is about carrying out scientific research or whether to keep an animal in captivity in other places is the best for their well -being.
Thompson said he would be open to review future requests for permits focused on health and welfare of whales, but said the next steps for whales resting with Marineland and the province.
Premier Ford ‘disappointed’
What is left by Marineland is about to declare in bankruptcy after today’s minister’s decision, a source told CBC News. They said that they are no longer in operation and that they have no money. It costs $ 2 million a month to take care of whales.
Marineland staff members were seen at the end of July, caressing and interacting with the belugas and dolphins that remain in the theme park now closed in the Niagara cataracts, Ontario.
The source said Marineland will deliver the whales to the government to be sacrificed. They are not yet sure whether the provincial or federal government will be responsible for them.
“We are not going to have these whales and we will not be the ones who sacrifice them,” said the source. “He [federal] The minister said she did not want them to stay in captivity, but now they will die. “
Ontario’s Prime Minister, Doug Ford, said Wednesday that he was “disappointed that the federal government did not sign to move” whales.
“I am really encouraging the federal government to allow ourselves to make sure that these whales survive in a really excellent environment or in a new home … You know, we don’t have to move the 30 at once. A couple here, a couple there. We want them to survive.”
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China confirmed that he was considering buying the beluges.
Marineland Canada did not open this year and began selling her trips in amusement parks. The images of drones taken by CBC News in Julio captured the staff that continued to take care and interact with the remaining belugas and dolphins.
The attorney general of the province, Michael Kerzner, supervises animal welfare. Provincial staff has visited Marineland hundreds of times in the last five years to inspect animals and their habitat.
Kerzner and Thompson’s offices confirmed last week that they would meet to discuss Marineland’s request.
Call the whale sanctuary
A possible home for Belugas often mentioned by the defenders of animal rights is a whale sanctuary proposed off the coast of Nueva Scotia. That project has stagnated.
“I would love to see the whales in a sanctuary and allow them to live their lives in a space that is really more aligned with what we know is the best atmosphere for whales,” said Thompson. “That would be a wonderful result.”
In the past, defenders have asked the Federal Government to help establish a sanctuary.
Thompson said he would be open to the discussion about a sanctuary, but emphasized that it is “the first days.”
“The whales have been part of Marineland Entertainment for a long time, so I think there was the obligation to ensure that their health and well -being are essential in these next next steps.”
Animal Justice, a national animal law organization, praised the decision to deny export permits. Its executive director, Camille Labchuk, said that Chimelong Ocean Kingdom has an active reproduction program and forces the whales to perform in shows, which are activities that are illegal in Canada.
Colin Saravanamuto, Executive Director of World Animal Protection, a defense group, applauded the federal decision and described it as a decisive moment.
“Now, the province of Ontario must show leadership and ensure that these animals receive the best possible attention. We should not export our animal welfare problems,” he said in a statement.
The group asks that the whale sanctuary project be accelerated or that Marineland becomes a palliative care center for whales and dolphins supervised by independent experts.
