In a significant development for marine mammal welfare, the Canadian government has issued conditional approval for Marineland to export its remaining captive beluga whales and dolphins to institutions in the United States. This decision provides a vital reprieve for the animals, who faced potential euthanasia if relocation plans were not authorised.
Ministerial Meeting Leads to Conditional Approval
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson convened a meeting with officials from Marineland, the now-closed theme park and zoo located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to discuss the proposed transfer of the marine mammals. During this constructive discussion, Minister Thompson granted conditional approval for the necessary export permits.
"It was a constructive meeting, and I provided conditional approval for export permits," Thompson stated in an official social media post. "I will issue the final permits once final required information is received from Marineland."
Urgent Financial and Welfare Concerns
The approval follows urgent appeals from Marineland, which emphasised its dire financial situation. In correspondence obtained by The Canadian Press, the park informed Minister Thompson that the animals would be euthanised if export permits were not authorised by the January 30 deadline.
Marineland expressed gratitude for the government's intervention, stating: "We extend our gratitude to the minister and the Canadian government for prioritizing the lives of these remarkable marine mammals."
Proposed US Destinations for the Marine Mammals
Marineland is reportedly in advanced discussions with four prominent US aquatic institutions to accept the thirty beluga whales and four dolphins. The potential new homes include:
- The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago
- Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta
- Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut
- SeaWorld, which operates multiple locations across the United States
Political Support and Animal Welfare Context
Ontario Premier Doug Ford publicly endorsed Minister Thompson's decision, commenting on the inadequate conditions at Marineland. "They're going to have a better home than where they are because it's a terrible home they're in right now," Ford remarked. "It wasn't large enough."
This relocation plan represents what Marineland has termed an "urgent rescue solution" presented to federal authorities. The move aligns with broader animal welfare concerns, particularly given that twenty whales—including one killer whale and nineteen belugas—have died at Marineland since 2019, according to records maintained by The Canadian Press.
Previous Export Attempts and Legal Framework
The conditional approval marks a reversal from previous decisions regarding Marineland's marine mammals. In October, the park applied for export permits to transfer its belugas to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, an aquarium in China. Minister Thompson denied those permits, citing concerns about the whales being subjected to performance-based captivity.
This stance is consistent with Canada's 2019 law banning whale and dolphin captivity, though Marineland's existing animals were exempted under grandfather provisions. The current approval for US relocation therefore represents a carefully considered compromise that addresses both animal welfare and legal compliance.
