Federal government rejected Marineland request to export Belugans
The Federal Department of Fisheries and Ocean (DFO) has denied the request of Marinland Canada to export its 30 remaining Beluga whales to a theme park in China.
In a statement, DFO Minister Joan Thompson stated that he could “cannot be in good conscience” may approve exports and that his decision tied up with rules in the Fisheries Act to protect marine mammals from exploitation.
Thompson said, “To approve the request, there will be a return to life and public entertainment in captivity.”
“Like many of you, I am angry that these whales have lived a life of captivity and as a result their health deteriorated,” she said. “Canadians expect people to work in whale’s best interest. This is what I have done in difficult situations with the results of regret.”
In an interview with CBC News on Wednesday, Thompson revealed that he personally visited Marinland last month and “seen Beluga in the eye.”
“It was clear to me that the whales are in the sea,” he said. “It was very difficult to see 30 Beluga in the vested places.”
2019 Eliminating the imprisonment of the Whale and the Dolphin Act Whales, dolphins and porpoise were banned for breeding or entertainment in Canada. A special federal permit is required to export animals.
Fisheries ministers can issue only an export permit if it is aimed at doing scientific research or if it is in the best interest of welfare to keep an animal in captivity elsewhere.
Thompson said he would be open to review the future permit applications focused on whale’s health and welfare, but said that the next step with the whale with Marinland and the province.
Premier Ford ‘disappointed’
A source told CBC News that what is left from Marinland is going to file for bankruptcy after today’s decision from the minister. He said that it is no longer operational and he has no money left. Whale care costs $ 2 million per month.
Staff members of Marineland were seen interacting with food, petting and Beluga and Dolphin in July late July, which is now in the theme park now closed in Niagara Falls, Onts.
The source said that the Marinland government is going to hand over the whale for euthanasia. They are not yet certain whether the provincial or federal government will be responsible for them.
The source said, “We are not going to these whales and we will not give them euthanasia.” “(Federal) Minister said that she did not want her to be kept in captivity, but now he is going to die.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Wednesday that it was “disappointed that the federal government would not sign the shifting whale”.
“I am really encouraging the federal government to make sure that these whales survive in a really great atmosphere or a new house … you know, we don’t have to move all 30 in a shot. A couple here, a couple there. We want them to survive.”
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China confirmed that it was considering buying Belugas.
Marineland Canada did not open this year and sold his amusement park ride. In July, the drone footage taken by CBC News caught employees who had to interact and interact with the remaining Beluga and Dolphins.
The Solicitor General of the province, Michael Kerzner, oversee animal welfare. Provincial employees have visited Marinland hundreds of times in the last five years to inspect animals and their habitat.
The offices of Kerzner and Thompson confirmed last week that they were going to meet to discuss Marinland’s application.
Call for whale sanctuary
A potential house for Beluga is often mentioned by advocates of animal rights, a proposed whale sanctuary from the coast of Nova Scotia. The project has come to a standstill.
Thompson said, “I would like to see a whale in a sanctuary and allow them to live their lives in a place that really we know that the best environment for the whale is.” “This will be a wonderful result.”
In the past, advocates have called the federal government to help establish a sanctuary.
Thompson said that she would be open to discuss a sanctuary, but insisted that it is “the early day.”
“Whales have long been part of Marinland Entertainment, and so I think they had an obligation to ensure their health and welfare in these early next stages.”
A national animal law organization praised the decision to deny animal justice, export permit. Its executive director, Kemili Labchuk said Chimelong Ocean Kingdom has an active breeding program and forces whales to perform on the show, which is illegal activities in Canada.
A advocacy group, Colin Saravanmuttu, Executive Director of World Animal Protection, appreciated the federal decision and called it a decisive moment.
He said in a statement, “Now, the province of Ontario should show leadership and ensure that these animals get the best possible care. We should not export our animal welfare problems.”
The group is calling to convert the whale sanctuary project or to be transformed into a subscriber care facility to oversee whale and dolphins by independent experts for Marinland.
