Canada’s elected assembly on Monday approved a legal ban on keeping whales and dolphins in captivity and breeding the species.
The bill was introduced in 2015, and all it needs is symbolic royal approval before it becomes valid.
The country’s animal protection movement is very happy with this decision.
– This is a very important issue because it bans breeding, ensuring that whales and dolphins currently kept in small tanks in Canada will be the last generation to suffer, said campaign manager Melissa Matlow of World Animal Protection Canada in a press release.
However, the law does not have retroactive effect, meaning that all marine life covered by the new law and now living in captivity can still live in aquariums and zoos.
Exceptions are also made for marine mammals that need rehabilitation after injury or in special cases where authorities grant permission.
– Canada is now one of 11 major countries to have taken a progressive stance against the breeding and keeping of whales, dolphins and porpoises for recreational purposes, said Nina Devries, another spokesperson for the group .
In recent years, several travel operators have taken a stand against water parks that house whales and dolphins. Last year, British operator Thomas Cook announced it would stop selling excursions to destinations where killer whales are in captivity.
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