Community | April 09, 2010 | 8 comments

Congress schedules hearing on marine mammals in captivity

source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/fl-congress-marine-parks-20100408,0,2834308.story

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jefftego
They've entertained millions at marine parks and aquariums — whales, dolphins and other sea mammals spinning and splashing to the delight of audiences for decades.

But the recent death of a SeaWorld trainer by a killer whale in Orlando and the Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove," about dolphin captures in Japan, have cast unprecedented attention on the industry that brought us Shamu and Flipper.

A Congressional committee has scheduled an oversight hearing April 27 to hear testimony on marine mammals in captivity. The Sun Sentinel confirmed the hearing by the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife through federal officials who have been asked to testify.

Animal welfare advocates are hoping for tighter regulation of a multibillion-dollar business that they say has profited at the expense of sea animals.

"There's a whole other side to the industry that I think the public is beginning to understand,'' said Courtney Vail, a spokeswoman for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, which opposes keeping marine mammals in captivity. "It's not all sunshine and happiness.''

The Sun Sentinel explored the world behind marine parks in a 2004 investigative series. It found that over the previous three decades, about 1,500 sea lions, seals, dolphins and whales in marine parks had died at a young age, some from human hazards such as capture shock and ingestion of coins and foreign objects.

Naomi Rose, senior scientist at the Humane Society International, said more oversight is long overdue. "If [parks] are in fact misleading people and spinning the message to improve their bottom line, that should be a real concern,'' she said.
  1. groups:
    Community,   Green,   Veganism,   Oceans,   1 more
  2. tags:
    Whales,  Dolphins,  Marine Mammals,  orcas,  2 more
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8 comments // Congress schedules hearing on marine mammals in captivity

  • Lulubird
  • Kurta
    • 0
      Kurta  

    • If an under-stimulated mouse can develop neurological behaviors such as pacing, self-mutilation, and aggression why wouldn't a dolphin?

    • 2 years ago
  • jefftego
    • 0
      jefftego  

    • They don't belong in captivity. So many orcas and other dolphins have died young in captivity. And people have been killed and many more injured. The only reason they are in captivity is profit. There is no other reason.

    • 2 years ago
  • shengled
    • 0
      shengled  

    • Why are we paying our congressmen and women to discuss the affairs of private companies...theme parks, no less. There are congressional hearings about the most ridiculous shit. The American public needs to put these guys to WORK. Real work. Not pondering the effects of keeping marine life in captivity for entertainment purposes. I mean, really, ya think that their time might be better spent with real American problems. 6, maybe 8 months later they might conclude that it's a bad idea to keep KILLER WHALES in a small tank and ride on them. WTF??

    • 2 years ago
  • iloveravi
  • shengled
    • 0
      shengled  
    • iloveravi:

      Hi iloveravi,
      Yes, it is torture. Always has been. That is why I dont go to sea world or the zoo. Are government mandates the way to solve that problem. It seems to me that if I dont go and you dont go, perhaps people will start to realize that these places are not entertainment but the systematic torture of animals. I hate that we leave it up to politicians to solve such problems. This just gives them another way to stay in office and collect $$ from the forthcoming sea world lobbyist that will contribute to their next campaign. Bet on it

    • 2 years ago
  • AmericanStandard
    • 0
      AmericanStandard  
    • shengled:

      "Why are we paying our congressmen and women to discuss the affairs of private companies."

      Well i hate to break it to you but a vast majority of issues that need discussion have to do with private companies. Private companies often bend, break, or push the limits of the law in order to maximize profits. This particular issue i feel is important in a symbolic way. Don't get me wrong i agree that there are more pressing issues but i don't think it is bizarre or even unusual that they are having a meeting about it especially in the wake of the recent disaster. We as a people need to band together and agree that profits should not be put before the rights/ safety of individuals.

    • 2 years ago
  • shengled
    • 0
      shengled  
    • AmericanStandard:

      That is a good point, AM. So the real question here is what? Should companies be able to keep orca's as pets or as an attraction? Because they're dangerous? Inhumane? OK, so lets say that the former is all true. What about tigers in a zoo? Elephant's at the circus? Same situation. They have handlers and they create revenue for the zoo or circus or whatever the case. Sea World hasn't broken any laws and the only reason for congress to discuss it would be to see if there is a need for a law to be written regarding the capture, torture and display of killer whales. This will be a complete waste of taxpayers money to pay these politicians to discuss the issue. Government shouldn't be involved with the dealings of Sea World, the zoo or the circus. Next, they will be convening to discuss whether or not you should be able to keep a python in your house. The way to stop this from happening is to not pay the aforementioned private companies for their services (term used loosely) and watch what happens. The killer whale attraction will be gone and there will be no animal circus. Problem solved.

    • 2 years ago
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