A 'Better Day' for Whales in Tanks [Jeong Jin-a's Different, But Together]

Geojedo Sea World, a dolphinarium in Geoje, South Korea, has a grim reputation, having seen 15 whales die over the past decade. The facility was notorious for its "shocking" programs, including allowing visitors to surf on dolphins' backs and swim with them. The continuous deaths earned it the moniker 'whale graveyard.' The situation worsened in January when a 16th whale, 'Mark,' a bottlenose dolphin captured in Taiji, Japan, in 2014, died shortly after giving birth to 'Milo.' The facility then launched a "Dolphin Tour with Calf" program using Mark and Milo, during which three whales died consecutively in 2024 alone.

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There is a aquarium where 15 whales have died in 10 years.

The facility's environment is fundamentally unsuitable for whales. Belugas and bottlenose dolphins, species with vastly different habitat needs, are housed together. Water temperatures fluctuate drastically with the seasons, forcing bottlenose dolphins, accustomed to warmer waters, to endure winter, while belugas, from colder seas, suffer sunburns under the summer sun. The deaths of 'Nova' and 'July' in 2024, who were reportedly forced to participate in performances while ill and on medication, sparked public outrage.

While a revised "Zoo and Aquarium Act" implemented in December 2023 prohibits the new acquisition and exhibition of cetaceans, it only applies to new individuals. The law signifies a societal shift away from tolerating whale exhibitions. Consequently, improving the welfare of the whales currently in captivity should be a natural next step. However, when Geojedo Sea World's recent birth was reported, authorities filed a complaint for violating the new acquisition ban. The police dismissed the case, citing insufficient evidence of intent. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries stated that further review was needed to determine if naturally reproduced individuals constituted new acquisitions, rendering the law ineffective as the 16th whale died.

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The facility was infamous for its shocking experiential programs, such as surfing on whale backs and swimming with them.

Advocates have long called for a new life for captive whales, but realistically, options are limited. Even if the company were to relinquish ownership, whales accustomed to captivity for extended periods may lack the survival skills and a suitable ocean environment for release. Past failed reintroduction attempts have shown how human assumptions about a whale's happiness in the wild can be cruel. The whales at Geojedo Sea World likely will not have the chance to return to the wild and survive independently. However, achieving even incremental improvements is crucial. Ensuring that captive whales experience slightly better days accumulates into a more positive existence. The pursuit of a perfect solution should not become an excuse for continued neglect. Realistic alternatives must be demanded and realized, focusing on immediate welfare needs like water quality and professional veterinary care, with relevant agencies and experts collaborating on solutions.

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The revised 'Zoo and Aquarium Act' prohibits the new acquisition and exhibition of cetaceans.

Geoje City, where the campaign to close Geojedo Sea World took place, is a beautiful place with islands scattered like jewels in the sea and hydrangeas blooming along the roads. This stunning scenery only amplified the resentment towards Geojedo Sea World. The fact that a facility designed to attract tourists involves imprisoning and exploiting living beings reveals a lack of imagination on the city's part. Currently, only nine whales remain at Geojedo Sea World. As time passes, their remaining days dwindle. This urgency is precisely why we must act. We can no longer afford to just count the deaths.

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The police dismissed the case, citing that it was difficult to determine intent.