California Bill Proposal: Gaol For Keeping Orcas in Captivity

[The Empress Lilly]

This concerns Sea World in San Diego, but I thought it better to keep all SEA news here.
This week, SEA's worst nightmare may come to pass. If this bill gets passed, Sea World will be forced to move away from exploiting large cetaceans unfit for captivity, and rethink itself as a general ocean themed park.

Unlike Florida, where the theme park lobby is too strong, California state legislation could force SEA to end its practices:

SeaWorld
could honestly be looking at their worst nightmare as a California lawmaker is going to propose a legislation that will outlaw Shamu shows and end orcas in captivity. CBS 8reported on March 7, 2014, that this could bring an end to the main focus ofSeaWorld's reputation that began long ago.

State Assembly member Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica, is introducing the Orca Welfare and Safety Act on Friday. This act would in turn make it illegal to "hold in captivity, or use, a wild-caught or captive-bred orca for performance or entertainment purposes."

The bill would also ban SeaWorld, or anyone, from performing artificial insemination of captive killer whales in California. This would then also block the import of orcas and orca semen from other states.

The proposed law would give violators a fine of up to $100,000 and/or six months stay in a county jail.

“There is no justification for the continued captive display of orcas for entertainment purposes,” Bloom declared in a written statement prior to a press conference to be held at the Santa Monica Pier. “These beautiful creatures are much too large and far too intelligent to be confined in small, concrete pens for their entire lives. It is time to end the practice of keeping orcas captive for human amusement.”

For the orcas already in captivity at SeaWorld, the legislation would require the park to actually have the killer whales "retire." The orcas could be on display for visitors to view, but the act would not allow them to actually perform.

SeaWorld
is already dealing with a great number of problems and controversy due to the"Blackfish" documentary, but this could bring about such a greater issue.



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Sea World's abysmal, exploitative business practices are creating a backlash against the company. Should've treated your employees with respect, SEA. Now there might develop an alliance between worker's rights and animal rights interests:

Some other political figures have already spoken up and said they are preparing to vote "yes" on the bill put forward by Bloom. Lorena Gonzales of San Diego is one of them, and stated on Facebook that she wants a lot of changes at the theme park.

"SeaWorld's reputation of treating its workers poorly dates back to its opening 50 years ago. It's about time we continue this conversation about job quality and workplace safety at Sea World whether it involves groundskeepers, concessions workers or killer whale trainers. Recent evidence suggests its record with orcas isn't much better. I'm looking forward to having an honest conversation about Sea World's business practices and how they can really be an icon that makes San Diego proud."

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http://www.examiner.com/article/seaworld-california-lawmaker-to-propose-ban-on-all-orcas-captivity​

 

[StageFrenzy]

The assemblyman will circuit the capital and drum up support, but it's going to fall flat and in the end just made a tiny splash.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Honestly though what would they do with them? Try to rehabilitate them all and then set them all free? I just always think about Keiko...

For the orcas already in captivity at Sea World, the legislation would require the park to actually have the killer whales 'retire'. The orcas could be on display for visitors to view, but the act would not allow them to actually perform.


You can't set them free anymore, their character and spirit have been broken. You can't let them rot away in their bathtubs either as a now economically usuless product. As highy intelligent mammals in a tiny artifical non-environment, the orcas need activity and daily stimulation. Considering they have little other stimulation in their tank but their daily routine, and little other viable options, I think I would prefer if SEA was obliged to continue their routine, without the circus act aspects.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

The assemblyman will circuit the capital and drum up support, but it's going to fall flat and in the end just made a tiny splash.

I don't think the Bill is going to pass. But it doesn't have to. It serves to keep the heat on and force SEA into reform, to improve both its employee an animal abuse record.

What I think one of the more fascinating aspects is the interplay between a national lowered tolerance of SEA owing to Blackfish, with California State politics, and local longstanding San Diego workers' grievances. In effect, Blackfish might result in tipping the scale towards San Diego efforts to force Sea World into proper treatment of its employees.

Some other political figures have already spoken up and said they are preparing to vote "yes" on the bill put forward by Bloom. Lorena Gonzales of San Diego is one of them, and stated on Facebook that she wants a lot of changes at the theme park.

"SeaWorld's reputation of treating its workers poorly dates back to its opening 50 years ago. It's about time we continue this conversation about job quality and workplace safety at Sea World whether it involves groundskeepers, concessions workers or killer whale trainers. Recent evidence suggests its record with orcas isn't much better. I'm looking forward to having an honest conversation about Sea World's business practices and how they can really be an icon that makes San Diego proud."​

 

[lazyboy97o]

For the orcas already in captivity at Sea World, the legislation would require the park to actually have the killer whales 'retire'. The orcas could be on display for visitors to view, but the act would not allow them to actually perform.


You can't set them free anymore, their character and spirit have been broken. You can't let them rot away in their bathtubs either as a now economically usuless product. As highy intelligent mammals in a tiny artifical non-environment, the orcas need activity and daily stimulation. Considering they have little other stimulation in their tank but their daily routine, and little other viable options, I think I would prefer if SEA was obliged to continue their routine, without the circus act aspects.

And what happens when the population in San Diego is down to one? That social creature is left in isolation?

 

[StageFrenzy]

And what happens when the population in San Diego is down to one? That social creature is left in isolation?

Eh they will probably ship 'em to Orlando.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Eh they will probably ship 'em to Orlando.

My understanding is that would be illegal if the bill passes.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Why make a bill for Orcas alone? Why are they the only animals smart and large enough to demand legislation?

 

[The Empress Lilly]

And what happens when the population in San Diego is down to one? That social creature is left in isolation?

One does not perpetuate the permament bad with the excuse of the single instance bad.

If social structure is a consideration (as it should be), then the obvious answer is to end captivity in general.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Why make a bill for Orcas alone? Why are they the only animals smart and large enough to demand legislation?

There are a great many general and specific California animal welfare and conservation bills. This one seeks to protect orcas from Sea World. Other legislation seeks to protect other specific animals from other abusive practices.

Such as this bill from two weeks ago:

February 20th, 2014
New CA Bill to Ban Driftnet Fishing to Protect Whales, Dolphins and Sea Turtles

Driftnets kill more than 100 whales, dolphins, and sea lions along CA coast every year

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Sacramento, CA - Today Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-San Jose) introduced legislation (AB 2019) co-authored by Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-San Rafael), Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay), and Anthony Rendon (D- Lakewood) to end the indiscriminate capture and killing of marine wildlife such as whales, dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, and sharks, in mile-long drift gillnets off California's coast.

The bill sponsors, Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) and Oceana, are committed to ridding the Pacific Ocean of this deadly method of fishing that results in more marine wildlife being discarded than fish retained.

“California has been a national leader in environmental and conservation efforts,” said Assemblymember Fong.
http://www.seaturtles.org/article.php?id=2564

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[maxairmike]

Just curious, but what would you propose replace the physical and mental stimulation that shows provided? Would they be allowed to do these things out of view of the guests to continue, or would they be forced to be more lethargic, with less physical and mental stimulation because some politicians are pandering? What if the whales start breaching on their own to replace some of their missed activity? Its a natural act, but we humans find it very fascinating and entertaining. Does that count as performing for entertainment? This isn't some simple cut and dry issue. We know that sea pens aren't the answer, however cutting the shows cold-turkey isn't it either, because they provide more than just entertainment for us brutish humans, things that are essential for the whales.

 

[englanddg]

For the orcas already in captivity at Sea World, the legislation would require the park to actually have the killer whales 'retire'. The orcas could be on display for visitors to view, but the act would not allow them to actually perform.


You can't set them free anymore, their character and spirit have been broken. You can't let them rot away in their bathtubs either as a now economically usuless product. As highy intelligent mammals in a tiny artifical non-environment, the orcas need activity and daily stimulation. Considering they have little other stimulation in their tank but their daily routine, and little other viable options, I think I would prefer if SEA was obliged to continue their routine, without the circus act aspects.

There is an argument to be made that the performances are part of their environmental stimulation.

I am not an Orca behavioral specialist, but then again, neither are you.

 

[Hakunamatata]

There is an argument to be made that the performances are part of their environmental stimulation.

I am not an Orca behavioral specialist, but then again, neither are you.

They could let them chase speedboats in a circle. They obviously do that in the wild.

 

[BuddyThomas]

Given that California has major fiscal issues and is leading the nation in the number of bankrupt cities, you would think they had better things to spend their time on than the well-being of some large fish. Talk about not having your priorities straight.

I'm sure you are just putting it like this to sound all pompous and superior and above it all, but a whale is not a fish. If that is what you think of an Orca, then that explains a lot.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I'm sure you are just putting it like this to sound all pompous and superior and above it all, but a whale is not a fish. If that is what you think of an Orca, then that explains a lot.

Or be old-fashiond and do homework, for example into the actual priorities of the Assemblymember in question:

(Sacramento) -- Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), Chair of Budget Subcommittee #3 on Resources and Transportation, conducted a special informational hearing on the California Public Utilities Commission because a recent Department of Finance audit showed there was more than a million dollars in discrepancies in seven separate funds controlled by the CPUC. Assemblymember Bloom says much of the money came from ratepayers and the CPUC's poor accounting practices means millions of dollars are unaccounted for.
http://asmdc.org/members/a50/​