Georgia Aquarium files lawsuit in bid to import 18 wild beluga whales to the US
The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is seeking federal permission to bring 18 beluga whales, captured last year off the coast of Russia, to the US at a time when pressure to end the captivity of cetaceans is at an all-time high.
In September 2013, the Georgia Aquarium sued the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fisheries service for the right to acquire the beluga whales, which were captured in the Sea of Okhotsk and are currently under the care of a Russian team.
Lawyers for both sides argued their case on Wednesday (20 August), though a final ruling could be as far as two months away.
Aquariums have been under immense pressure in recent months following the release of the documentary Blackfish, which recounts the 2010 killing of trainer Dawn Brancheau by an Orca at SeaWorld Orlando.
As a result of protests against aquariums housing cetaceans nationwide, some have been making dramatic changes. Vancouver Aquarium was recently told it could keep its current stock of whales and dolphins in captivity,but must not breed them or promote reproduction amongst captive mammals while SeaWorld this week announced multi-million dollar expansion plans for its habitats housing killer whales. Baltimore’s National Aquarium has even considered retiring all of its dolphins to a one-of-a-kind sanctuary, keeping the animals away from the public eye.
The US government is contending that bringing the captured whales to the US violates the Marine Mammal Protection Act, depleting the known wild beluga whale population even more, while the aquarium disputes the allegations and is demanding NOAA Fisheries hand over more internal documents to show how the government made its decision.
In March 2013, Georgia Aquarium received a green light on the decision to bring in the whales, though in September later that year, the government denied the permit application.
“If they are going to change their minds, we are entitled to look at why," said aquarium attorney Daniel Diffley. "We believe the decision is arbitrary."
Georgia Aquarium also argues that acquiring the whales is crucial, “to pursue the goals of conservation, research and education.”
If the permission is granted by the courts, some of the whales would join the four beluga whales that currently reside in the aquarium, while the rest would be loaned to other approved marine sites, including SeaWorld.
Vancouver Aquarium allowed to keep captive sea mammals, but must adhere to new breeding rules
Vancouver Aquarium fighting proposed cetacean ban when it meets with Park Board later this month
Whale ban could mean ‘life or death’ for Vancouver Aquarium
US National Aquarium considers retiring dolphins to one-of-a-kind sanctuary


BRC selected to design new World Food Center – will explore sustainability and global food supply

Ritz-Carlton Reserve opens with luxury spa at Japanese alpine ski resort

Scott Brownrigg-designed Museum of Military Medicine in Cardiff given planning approval

Work starts on US$898m e-sports arena in Shanghai

Gyms added to the mix for new super-luxe retail roll-out

OMA designs Miami Beach's ReefLine – a seven mile-long underwater sculpture park

Ole Scheeren and Shigeru Ban team up to design art and cultural destination in Hangzhou

FIFA files criminal complaint over funding of €459m world football museum

ReardonSmith leads design of Heya – a hotel room concept offering personalisation for each guest

Disney reveals first visuals of ambitious Star Wars attraction – including designs for hotel 'pods'

Flaxmill Maltings – the world's first cast-iron framed building – is to be redeveloped as a visitor attraction by Mather & Co

LVMH announces Bulgari Hotel for Miami Beach, with design by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel

Technogym opens retail store in Los Angeles

AZPML and UKST win competition to design Korean Museum of Urbanism and Architecture

Delos partners with TPP Capital to advance access to health and wellbeing solutions in urban communities

The Well creates integrated wellness retreat in New England countryside for Auberge Resorts

Architects 10 Design reveal plans for ambitious Edinburgh city centre plans

Perth's Boola Bardip museum opens in new AU$400m building designed by Hassell and OMA

UK Government's £1bn scheme to decarbonise is 'a huge opportunity' for the leisure industries

Museum devoted to the history of the US Army opens its doors

Architrave designs Banyan Tree Krabi with rainforest-themed spa

Anantara to debut in Seychelles following rebrand of luxury Bill Bensley-designed resort

World’s first energy-positive hotel and spa to be completed with interiors by Space Copenhagen

3XN design Denmark’s first climate-positive hotel with rooftop spa

BRC Imagination Arts completes new Glenkinchie Distillery brand home for Diageo as part of cycle of Scottish whisky attractions

First look: Contreras Earl Architecture creates Living Coral Biobank for the Great Barrier Reef Legacy

Heatherwick Studio reveals plans for 'The Cove' on San Francisco waterfront

Millimetre Design create new spa for Johnstown Estate in Ireland

B2Ai and SCAU to design new €100m Club Brugge stadium
