Ottawa Denies Marineland’s Request to Export 30 Beluga Whales to China

A beluga whale is seen in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Catherine Kinsman

The Canadian government has denied Marineland’s request to export its remaining 30 beluga whales to a theme park in China, citing 2019 legislation that prohibits the export of living marine animals.

“I want to be really clear, this is a very difficult decision to make, but it is rooted in the Fisheries Act, and I’m proud that in Canada we do have an act that is very specific around the treatment of whales in particular,” Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson told reporters in Ottawa on Oct. 1.

In a statement, Thompson said allowing the sale to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom aquarium in China would have led to the whales continuing to live in captivity and used for entertainment purposes. Thompson said she continues to be “angered that these whales have lived a life in captivity, and as a result their health has deteriorated.”

“I could not in good conscience approve an export that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have endured,” she added.

The Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, passed in 2019, bans the import or export of living cetaceans, such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The fisheries minister may issue a permit authorizing the transfer of the animals in cases where scientific research is being conducted, or where it is in the “best interests of the cetacean’s welfare to do so.”

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, a theme park that opened in 2014 in the province of Guangdong, has a dedicated beluga show.

Marineland, a zoo and amusement park that first opened in 1961 in Niagara Falls, closed down in 2024 and has begun selling off its amusement park rides and mortgaging its undeveloped lands to raise money to move its remaining animals.

The park has been the subject of several lawsuits related to its possession and treatment of marine animals. Eighteen belugas, one killer whale, and one dolphin have died at the park since 2019. Marineland has defended its treatment of the animals and maintained that the deaths are part of the animals’ natural life cycles.

Advocacy group Animal Justice praised the government’s decision to deny the export of the whales, saying in an Oct. 1 statement that Chimelong has an active breeding program and forces whales to perform in shows.

“Denying Marineland’s export permit requests is absolutely the right decision. We applaud the federal government for prioritizing the best interests of these incredible, intelligent animals,” said lawyer Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice.

Animal Justice said the belugas should be transferred to a reputable marine animal sanctuary, and noted that the Whale Sanctuary Project has been working to develop one in Nova Scotia. This sanctuary would involve a large cove netted off, providing “vastly more space for the whales than any aquarium could offer.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was asked about the whales during a Sept. 25 press conference, and said his “heart breaks” for the whales. Ford also predicted that the money for taking care of the whales is going to “run out,” as it costs around $1 million a month to feed them.

“I’m really encouraging the federal government to allow us to make sure that these whales survive in a really great atmosphere or a new home,” he said at Queen’s Park in Toronto.

He said the province will help try to find other options for Marineland’s whales.

Marineland did not respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment by publication time.