Nakai. Photo by Lolilujah.
San Francisco, a city known for being open minded and allowing freedom in many different forms to flourish has passed a ground breaking resolution which states that cetaceans have the right “to be free of captivity, and to remain unrestricted in their natural environment.”
The San Francisco Board of supervisors recognized the importance of the highly intelligent animals and their complex social structures as well as the high mortality rates seen in captivity and the overwhelming psychological stress they experience.
Earlier this year, a bill was proposed that, if enacted, would make it illegal to display captive orcas in California and would call for the retirement of SeaWorld San Diego’s ten killer whales. After being viewed by California legislature, the Orca Welfare and Safety Act was put under interim study. Contrary to what many SeaWorld supporters would like to believe, this does not mean that the bill was rejected or is dead. AB 2140 will be reviewed again once the idea of sea pens has been more thoroughly looked into.
Laura Bridgeman, Campaign and Communications Specialist of the International Marine Mammal Project has said “While the resolution is non-binding, it is significant because never before in California history have any cetacean rights been recognized. We do believe that it’s going to boost the chances that the orca bill will be adopted, especially if other cities follow suit. With each resolution that gets passed, it becomes more and more difficult for SeaWorld to claim that cetaceans belong in captivity.”
This past March, a New York Senate Committee approved a “Blackfish Bill”, making it illegal for any future marine parks in the state to keep orcas in their tanks.
The winds of change are blowing and boy don’t they feel good!
loveroforcas 