The Vancouver Park Board has permitted the program to keep dolphins and whales at the Vancouver Aquarium to continue, but it has unanimously voted to approve a bylaw that ends the institution’s ability to breed dolphins and whales.

The Park Board commissioners did allow for a small caveat in the breeding bylaw, that captive cetacean breeding could be permitted if it is a threatened species.

It is not known how exactly natural mating will be controlled.

 

In addition to the ban on breeding, an oversight committee of animal welfare experts will be created to monitor the safety of the institution’s whales and dolphins. The committee will prepare a bi-annual report to the Park Board on the status and well-being of all cetaceans owned by the non-profit organization.

All of this comes after last week’s release of the findings of a Park Board ordered report by scientists and veterinarians at the University of California, which concluded research, rescue and conservation efforts are dependent on the Aquarium’s dolphins and whales.

Vancouver Aquarium CEO and President John Nightingale said the debate over the last few months has cost the marine science centre a lot of time and resources that would have otherwise been spent on its real mandate of research, conservation and rescue efforts.

He believes that Aquarium has always been transparent about its operations, including the temporary relocation of its dolphins and whales to other North American facilities in anticipation of the construction to come for the new expanded tanks.

While its ability to keep dolphins and whales was not terminated, this will still require a major shift in what the Aquarium does. It will require a few weeks to come up with a response and plan to the Park Board’s new policy.

However, Nightingale said it takes scientific expertise away from the Aquarium’s scientists and veterinarians.

@ParkBoard any member of the board who walked away when an aquarium supporter talked should be removed. #bias #unprofessionalism

— Remedy (@NodalesA51) August 1, 2014

 

It’s very unfortunate that the #vancouver @ParkBoard didn’t seem to pay attention to the true info presented about @VancouverAqua

— Meghan (@msmithphoto) August 1, 2014

 

@ParkBoard how do the whales feel about being neutered? dolphins procreate for fun…

— Kenneth Armstrong (@UALawGrad) August 1, 2014

 

If you truly want to #savethewhales then the @ParkBoard should let @VancouverAqua continue to do what they’ve done so well for years.

— Meghan (@msmithphoto) August 1, 2014

confused. has Vancouver’s park board become marine biologists who know cetacean requirements for overseeing them? Or does it mean different

— pacificbird (@pacificbird) August 1, 2014

@VancouverAqua @ParkBoard shameful!!! Makes me I’ll to see how decisions are made across country. No facts, no evidence, no objectivity!

— Quarkybirdy (@Quarkybirdy) August 1, 2014

Never thought Vancouver would be known as an anti-science city but after this @parkboard debacle, Vancouver is definitely research-averse.

— IL (@V5Nirv) August 1, 2014

 

We’re deeply disappointed @parkboard has decided to take our expertise in protecting cetaceans and transferred it to an external committee.

— Vancouver Aquarium (@VancouverAqua) August 1, 2014

 

What the hell?!! Stunned. As a taxpayer and an @VancouverAqua member am dismayed

— LizaCKNW980 (@lizaCKNW980) August 1, 2014

 

So lemme get this straight. Cetacean in aquarium = bad. So, controlling natural mating behavior = good? @VancouverAqua @ParkBoard

— David (@davidjp87) August 1, 2014

Disappointed that rational thinking based on facts didn’t win out over emotional opinions tonight. Keep fighting, @VancouverAqua!

— Christine Archer (@shouganai) August 1, 2014

Now we spend $ on measures to restrict a well run and respected org like @VancouverAqua? Aren’t there better uses for city time + $? 2/2

— Kim DavisonConstable (@KimDConstable) August 1, 2014

Nightingale says they still need to sort of a lot around the recommendations. Says he thinks park board is assuming too much control. #cbc

— Richard Zussman (@richardzussman) August 1, 2014

I wonder if those who screeched loud enough rather than those who spoke knowledgeably were heard by @parkboard on @VancouverAqua

— Nikki Bayley (@nikkibayley) August 1, 2014

@VancouverAqua @ParkBoard Like they know something you don’t.. Remember to vote..

— Victor Bearpark (@VICTORBoyTweets) August 1, 2014

@VancouverAqua @ParkBoard you’re not the only ones disappointed! People need to stop comparing you to sea world!!!

— victoriasandra (@_CutUpAngels) August 1, 2014

@VancouverAqua @ParkBoard It is beyond laughable & incredibly insulting that PB won’t allow world class VA to manage themselves.

— catherine mack (@catobie) August 1, 2014

.@PARKBOARD You are ridic to the point of laughable but I’m not laughing. Your vote re: @VancouverAqua is fueled by ignorance and non-facts.

— Linds (@feedmehappy) August 1, 2014

@nikkibayley @ParkBoard @VancouverAqua I am appalled that PB with so much power clearly has NO mandate for impartiality or professionalism.

— catherine mack (@catobie) August 1, 2014

TIL @parkboard = uneducated fools. @VancouverAqua keep the boys and girls apart! No canoodling!

— Shawna (@shawzepe) August 1, 2014

Really sad when politicians don’t have the balls to stand up for science. @ParkBoard @VancouverAqua #isupportvanaqua

— Julie Robertson (@JulieRobe) August 1, 2014

Judging by @ParkBoard so far their “experts” will be anyone that has seen (and believed) blackfish. @VancouverAqua

— David (@davidjp87) August 1, 2014

@nikkibayley @ParkBoard @VancouverAqua Council member Sarah refused to take the information binder to study info.

— catherine mack (@catobie) August 1, 2014

Having painted itself into a corner, the @ParkBoard now tries to extricate itself without leaving tracks. No luck #isupportvanaqua

— Massimo Bergamini (@CAZA_ED) August 1, 2014

I am extremely disappointed in @parkboard‘s vote tonight regarding @VancouverAqua. #vanpoli

— Brian G. Rice (@bgrice) August 1, 2014

Wonders how @parkboard is going to stop breeding (a natural behaviour). Seems cruel…

— Lisa (@electricsmurf) August 1, 2014

Not really a fan of the Vancouver Park Board. All their decisions seem to be influenced by those who yell loudest, not rational thought.

— Anthony Floyd (@AnthonyFloyd) August 1, 2014

 

 

Featured Image: Vancouver Aquarium