After nearly three years of debates, the Canadian Senate has approved a law that protects dolphins, whales and porpoises, because it provides for a ban on keeping them in captivity and on marketing them. The ban is also extended to tissues, embryos and sperm. But now we also need the OK from the Chamber.
After nearly three years of debates, the Canadian Senate has approved a law that protects dolphins, whales and porpoises, because it provides for a ban on keeping them in captivity and on marketing them. The ban is also extended to tissues, embryos and sperm. But now we also need the OK from the Chamber.
Since 2015 we have been discussing the 'Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins', that is, the S-203 act that would finally go to protect large marine mammals. The decree is signed by Senator Wilfred Moore and over time has sparked heated debates, so much so that the approval came almost by surprise. And now supporters are also optimistic about the Chamber's ok, which is essential to complete the legislative process.
The fight for cetacean rights garnered considerable public support following the release of the 2013 film Blackfish, which documented the captive life of orcas, whales, dolphins and porpoises in water parks such as Sea world.
In Canada, there is the Vancouver Aquarium and Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario which clearly fight against the law by claiming that animals in captivity remain there for scientific and educational reasons.
What is educational about keeping large animals in tiny tanks and making them jump at the command of a whistle, is still to be understood, but luckily the Canadian senators have understood. The law provides for a fine of 200 thousand dollars for those who overcome the ban which, as we have said, is also extended to the trade in embryos, tissues and sperm.
Act S-203 also provides for exemptions for animals in difficulty and those in captivity, to be moved to a cetacean sanctuary to be created or already existing. The animal rights activists also sing victory because in the same session the Senate approved a bill against the import and export of shark fins.
As we know, many species are in danger of extinction due to illegal capture and indiscriminate hunting for fins, now all this could finally end.
Read also:
- The massacre of French dolphins: 6 thousand killed by fishing boats (VIDEO)
- Taiji, the massacre returns. 15 things you don't know about dolphins and dolphins (VIDEO)
- Captive whales and dolphins: in Switzerland they will never be imported into dolphinaria again
Dominella Trunfio
