An application by Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, USA to import five captive-born beluga whales from Marineland, Niagara Falls, Canada for research has been passed by NMFS/NOAA, however strong restrictions with regards to breeding and use in performance have been put in place, meaning that plans by Mystic to include research on the belugas behaviour and reproduction have been prohibited.
We welcome this inclusion in the conditions, as in December last year concerns were raised with NMFS on this application, including the possibility that the real purpose of the import was to perpetuate the captive beluga population for display. We were further concerned that potentially in the future, the belugas may have been transferred to Georgia Aquarium as part of a partnership arrangement between Mystic Aquarium and the Atlanta-based facility.
Further details can be found in our Press Statement
Although the US has authorised the import, approval is still required from Canada therefore, Marine Connection, as part of a working coalition of NGOs, will continue to challenge this with the Canadian authorities, asking them not to agree to the export.
