Orca bill would end SeaWorld's 'Shamu shows'
If approved, the legislation would ensure that 'this will be the last generation of orcas who live in captivity,' Rep. Adam Schiff (D) of California says.
If approved, the legislation would ensure that 'this will be the last generation of orcas who live in captivity,' Rep. Adam Schiff (D) of California says.
The next generation of orca whales may never know show business, with proposed federal legislation that goes directly after SeaWorld and its now much-maligned "Shamu Show".聽
Rep.聽Adam Schiff, a Congressman from Southern California, announced Friday that he plans to introduce a bill this month that would end breeding captive orcas, outlaw the capture of whales in the wild, and put a stop to the import and export of the species.
If approved, the聽Orca Responsibility and Care Advancement聽(ORCA) Act would in effect聽ensure "that this will be the last generation of orcas who live in captivity," Mr. Schiff said in a聽statement.
A SeaWorld Entertainment spokesperson responded to Schiff's announcement in an interview with the LA Times, saying SeaWorld neither neglects nor abuses its killer whales.
"Through our work with scientists, conservation leaders, and the government SeaWorld is ensuring that all animals in human care are treated with the dignity and respect they require and deserve," said Jill Kermes.聽
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc.聽has 24 of the 25 captive orcas聽in the country (Miami Seaquarium has the other one). Following Schiff's announcement, the company also issued a blog post saying it has consistently supported "science-based regulation" and has been "part of the solution not the problem," adding it has not captured an orca in the wild in 35 years.聽
Federal law currently grants permits for the capture and export of orcas for public display. Historically, this is how US聽marine-themed parks have been able to legally take orcas from the wild. Though an orca has not been caught in US waters since 1976, nor have they been sourced from other parts of the world since 2001, it is still legal to obtain a permit. Captive whales have also recently been bred in captivity - SeaWorld's youngest whale is 10 months old. Under the ORCA Act, such practices would be against the law.
"The evidence is very strong that the psychological and physical harm done to these magnificent animals far outweighs any benefits reaped from their display," Schiff said.
The 2013 documentary "Blackfish" created a public relations nightmare for SeaWorld, one that the company is still fighting to overcome.
Last month, SeaWorld announced a $100 million expansion to its orca enclosure at SeaWorld San Diego. The California Coastal Commission (CCC), the oversight agency for coastal development, approved the project with the caveat that SeaWorld not add any more whales to the 11 orcas it currently has in captivity 鈥� either by breeding or wild capture.
SeaWorld has already publicly acknowledged plans to sue the CCC for the right to continue breeding orcas.
The company has also聽increased聽its lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., and in the state of California, according to ThinkProgress. The聽first聽three聽quarters聽of 2015, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Inc. reported $760,000 on lobbying at the federal level 鈥� markedly above its 2014 annual total, according to the site.
A former marine mammal trainer, Samantha Berg, has spoken out in favor of Schiff's proposal. 鈥淚 saw firsthand how orcas suffer in captivity,鈥� Ms. Berg said.聽鈥淣o amount of toys, larger tanks, better veterinary care or love and attention from their trainers will ever come close to simulating the richness of their lives in the ocean.鈥�
The whales at SeaWorld San Diego range from 10 months to 50 years-old, so, even if the measure is passed, it may be decades before the public sees its last whale in captivity.