Activists, actors and scientists go to court in opposition of beluga whale import plan
Plans by Georgia Aquarium to import 18 beluga whales have met with stern opposition from a group of activists, actors and scientists.
The aquarium first applied to import the whale pod in 2012, saying it would help diversify its existing beluga gene pool in the US. However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA) denied this application in August 2013, leading the institution to sue NOAA for the right to acquire the beluga whales.
NOAA denied the permit on the basis that the aquarium failed to meet the requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, arguing that the aquarium did not ensure that the capture of the belugas – caught in the Sea of Okhotsk and currently under the care of a Russian team – would be unlikely to have an adverse effect on the beluga population in the area where they were sourced. The aquarium has denied this, stating in court filings that it has taken significant steps to ensure the whales’ removal from the wild wouldn’t have negative effects.
During court proceedings, the judge allowed several animal welfare groups to join the litigation side of NOAA. Included in the group are actors Kim Basinger, Shannen Doherty, Edward Norton and Hayden Panettiere and film producer Jean-Michel Cousteau – as well as environmentalists and a number of scientists, filmmakers and conservationists.
If permission is granted by the courts, some of the whales would join the four beluga whales that currently reside in Georgia Aquarium, while the rest would be loaned to other approved marine sites, including SeaWorld, which recently lost an on-loan beluga after an encounter with other animals in its tank.
Captive cetacean debate "back on the table" following beluga whale death
Georgia Aquarium files lawsuit in bid to import 18 wild beluga whales to the US
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
The Peninsula London unveils Peter Marino-designed spa inspired by London’s famous parks
First glimpses revealed of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair's subterranean spa retreat
"Architecture is alive" says Ma Yansong, as Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
SHA Mexico to debut in January 2024 with genome-inspired design by Sordo Madaleno
Across Denmark, a charity is turning industrial buildings into centres for street sport and art. As the concept prepares to go global, we speak to the people making it happen