Ottawa denies Marineland request to export 30 beluga whales to China

Thirty beluga whales at Marineland in Niagara Falls aren’t going anywhere just yet, as the Federal Fisheries Minister has rejected an application for the park to send them to an aquarium in China.

Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson says sending belugas to the aquarium in China would mean continued captivity and exploitation.

“I declined to export the belugas,” she said.

“It’s a difficult decision, but it’s rooted in the Fisheries Act. The decisions going forward will align with the health and wellbeing of these whales. Ideally all whales belong in oceans, not in tanks.”

That said, there aren’t a lot of options left for the 30 beluga whales that remain at Marineland.

Twenty whales have died at the park since 2019, and those that remain are the last to be held in captivity in Canada.

“We need a proper home for them,” Premier Doug Ford says.

“We need to save the whales. […] Right now instead of shipping them out, it’s difficult. This has been going on for years, and it seems unfortunately a whale passes away every few months. It’s unfortunate.”

Camille…., the executive director of Animal Justice, a legal advocacy organization for animals, wants to see the remaining whales sent to sanctuaries. She says it will take coordination from several parties in order to make that happen.

“Whales are dying at Marineland because it’s inadequate, and their health is compromised,” she said.

“We need to see a full health assessment for each animal there. What I think is important is that the feds, province, Marineland, and animal agencies come to the table and figure out how to get as many of these animals as possible to a sanctuary.”

One option that’s been proposed is a sanctuary off the coast of Nova Scotia. It’s been in the planning stages for years, and still has a number of obstacles to overcome, but the head of that project is confident some of the whales could be relocated soon.

“I think the need that these animals have, let’s find out how to bring some of them here by next summer, maybe the spring, definitely not winter on the eastern shores of Nova Scotia” says Charles Vinick.

But the former Marineland whale trainer Phil Demers doesn’t see the “whale sanctuary” as a viable option. He says the belugas are destined for a life of captivity.

“Unfortunately, captivity is their only option,” Phil Demers said.

“The best option is to look for countries who will adhere to the 2019 law. A seaside sanctuary isn’t an option, so we have to look at other things.

CHCH News reached out to Marineland for comment, but did not hear back by publication deadline.

WATCH MORE: More whales at Niagara Falls’ Marineland will die without urgent action, expert says