New Proposed Bill to End SeaWorld’s Killer Whale Captivity

Seaworld could face a potential shutdown after California congressman Adam Schiff put forth legislation Friday that would prohobit the breeding of captive orcas and ban wild capture for the purposes of public display.

“The evidence is very strong that the psychological and physical harm done to these magnificent animals far outweighs any benefits reaped from their display”, commented Schiff in a statement.

Officials have rejected the calls to end the breeding of whales by saying that the only way for them to make sure they don’t breed is by separating males and females.

The bill would amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.

The company also noted that it has not captured a whale in the wild in 35 years and does not plan to do so again.

“As a former Marine Mammal Trainer at SeaWorld, I saw firsthand how orcas suffer in captivity”, said former marine mammal trainer Samantha Berg.

Last month, the California Coastal Commission endorsed a $100 million expansion of the tanks SeaWorld uses to hold orcas in San Diego but included conditions, including a ban on breeding and prohibitions on the sale, trade or transfer of the whales.

According to Schiff, the Orca Responsibility and Care Advancement Act (ORCA) guarantees the orcas in captivity today will be the last ones.

The organization in question, SeaWorld Entertainment Inc., the parent company of SeaWorld San Diego, has 24 orcas across three parks in the country and Miami Sea-Aquarium has one killer whale. Dr. Rose added “They are simply too large, too wide-ranging, too socially complex, and too intelligent to thrive in any-sized concrete enclosure”.

“The public display of animals in zoological settings can engage children, create respect for wildlife and contribute to scientific knowledge”, she said.

Schiff told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO the legislation is aimed at getting SeaWorld and other animal theme parks to recognize the animals’ true value. “Orcas do not belong in captivity”.

“PETA applauds Rep. Schiff for introducing a bill that reflects public opinion in favor of ending the archaic and cruel practice of keeping orcas in captivity”, said Jared Goodman, Director of Animal Law for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). They praised the legislation for seeking to end what they referred to as a “marine prison” for killer whales.

This announcement came while SeaWorld is trying to fight charges that were leveled against them in the “Blackfish” documentary in 2013 which showed that captive whales were neglected and abused at these parks.