Canada Approves Transfer of 30 Beluga Whales to Spain and U.S. Aquariums

Canada has officially sanctioned the relocation of 30 beluga whales from the defunct Marineland theme park to accredited aquariums in Spain and the United States. The Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Spain, is set to receive a portion of these cetaceans, marking a significant development for the animals' welfare. Canada's Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans confirmed that the necessary permits under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have been issued for the export. Final authorizations under the Fisheries Act will be granted closer to the transport date, pending veterinary reviews. The government is coordinating the complex operation with border services and other federal agencies to ensure the safe transit of the whales. This move resolves the uncertain future of the belugas housed at Marineland, a facility in Niagara Falls that ceased operations in 2024 after the owners' deaths and business model decline. Animal welfare organizations had frequently raised concerns about the conditions at the park. Previously, Canada rejected a proposal to send the whales to China, with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Joanne Thompson, stating such a move would condemn them to continued captivity for entertainment. Thompson emphasized that "whales belong in the ocean, not in tanks for our entertainment," aligning the decision with strengthened marine mammal protection laws enacted in 2019.

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As Canadians, we know that whales belong in the ocean, not in tanks for our entertainment.