Feds grant conditional approval for Marineland to send remaining belugas to U.S.

The federal Fisheries Minister Joanna Thompson has given conditional approval for the export of Marineland’s beluga whales to the United States.

Thompson met with Marineland Monday to determine what will happen to the rest of the whales held in the former Niagara Falls tourist attraction.

In a statement, Marineland says it has approval for the relocation of 30 belugas and four dolphins.

READ MORE: Two U.S. aquariums call plan to move belugas from Marineland ‘premature’

The fisheries minister said in a statement posted to social media that her focus is on the best interest of the whales and that is what has guided this decision.

Please see my statement on meeting with Marineland.
–
Veuillez consulter ma déclaration concernant ma rencontre avec Marineland. pic.twitter.com/iKV780kv82

— Joanne Thompson (@Joanne_NL) January 26, 2026

This comes after Marineland presented what it called an “urgent rescue solution” to Ottawa last week.

According to The Canadian Press, the theme park gave the federal government an imminent deadline to issue export permits or it would proceed with euthanizing the animals.

READ MORE: ‘We need to get them out’: Beluga trainer fired by Marineland speaks out