No more breeding at sea world

[AniaR]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/seaworld-orca-breeding-ban_56175283e4b0082030a1effe

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Wow that's a hot shot!

I think this is the strong answer to a strong scandal...

[New York Mermaid]

I watched this meeting for 5 hours Actually its more of the CCC decided if they want to move forward with project Blue World in San Diego, they have to agree to a max of 15 orcas, no transfers with the exception of any orcas under the take permit and of course no used of A.I. or breeding. However The CCC has no control over that, the NMFS have the say on what happens with the animals. Under the terms SeaWorld decides what's best for their animals. They can and it was said if they want to move forward on having more animals etc. they would have to appeal to the CCC. In the end its on SeaWorld San Diego to decide what to do. They got the go ahead, but with those limitations amended in, they agreed to only hold 15 orcas in which the facility- when done could hold 20. Again they voluntarily agreed to stop at 15 (they have 11 at the moment).

I want to see project Blue world move ahead, but at the same time I want SeaWorld to do what is best for the animals in their care. I guess in the end despite what was said and done. It is all on SeaWorld to push forward. Whatever they decide to do at that park specifically well then I support all the way.

[AptaMer]

Like the famous baseball player said- "It ain't over 'til it's over"

Many in the media are reporting this as "The California Costal Commission banned whale breeding at Sea World California"

That's not totally accurate. All the CCC can do is approve or disallow construction or other programs that may affect the costal environment. What they did was they said Sea World could only build their larger whale facility if they agreed to stop all breeding using wild genetic material (i.e., inseminating females with sperm from wild-origin males) and from importing wild-caught orcas into the park. They also set a limit of 15 animals present in the park at any one time.

This will just be the beginning of pushback by Sea World. One option they have, for example, is to take their marbles and go home, i.e. withdraw their application for expansion and continue breeding as before in their present facility.

That's unlikely, for obvious reasons. What is more likely is a protracted courtroom challenge of the CCC's decision, that will buy them a lot of time, and maybe even a way out.

There's a more nuanced article about what the CCC's decision really means here

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-1010-seaworld-followup-20151010-story.html

[AptaMer]

Welp- just like clockwork, SeaWorld has played it's hand by filing a lawsuit- the "protracted courtroom challenge" route- to buy time, and possibly even overturn the ruling.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/seaworld-suing-california-ban-orca-breeding-36000449

They're publicity conscious. They filed it during the week between Christmas and New Year's, when everybody is distracted, and it won't get as much media attention.