Anyone who caught the smash documentary film Blackfish will likely be happy to hear that SeaWorld will no longer be able to continue their controversial orca entertainment and breeding programs—at least in California. A new law signed by Governor Brown yesterday makes them illegal in the state.
Keeping orcas in captivity and breeding programs for rehabilitation and research will continue to be allowed and SeaWorld was quick to point out that they intend to continue to care for their current orcas and capture and exhibit new orcas under that provision, as the Independent reports.
“The bill does allow for SeaWorld to rescue and rehabilitate stranded orcas, with the goal of returning them to the wild,” a company statement reads.
In March, the San Diego SeaWorld park already announced that they will be preparing to launch a fully renovated orca display in 2019 featuring new animals and a different approach, more oriented toward public education about marine life than the entertainment performances for which they were particularly criticized. Updated orca exhibits will also be coming to the Texas and Florida parks in the following years.
Since Blackfish brought attention to SeaWorld’s treatment of whales to wide audiences, attendance at the parks has plummeted and the park has been mired in scandals, including being caught sending employees to infiltrate animal activist groups under false pretenses.
Now that the law is in place, any individual or corporations caught breeding orcas in captivity or forcing them to perform tricks will be hit with a $100,000 fine per violation.
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