The lawmaker said he was inspired by the controversial documentary 'Blackfish.' Calif. bill would stop orca shows

A California state lawmaker has proposed legislation that would prohibit San Diego’s SeaWorld from featuring killer whales in entertainment performances.

The bill, released Friday, would also ban captive breeding and the import and export of orcas, according to U-T San Diego.


Richard Bloom, a Democrat from Santa Monica, said he was inspired by the controversial documentary “Blackfish,” which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and was aired on CNN last fall. The film explores the history of orcas in captivity and the 2010 death of a Sea World trainer.

“There is no justification for the continued captive display of orcas for entertainment purposes,” Bloom said in prepared remarks for an event unveiling the bill on Friday. “These beautiful creatures are much too large and far too intelligent to be confined in small, concrete tanks for their entire lives.”

The bill would allow retired orcas to be on display, just not to be used for entertainment purposes, defined as “any routinely scheduled public exhibition that is characterized by music or other sound effects, choreographed display or training for that display, or unprotected contact between humans and orcas.”

When possible, current captive orcas would be retired to sea pens.

The bill needs a simple majority to pass, but that might be difficult, according to U-T San Diego.

Since the release of “Blackfish,” SeaWorld has been boycotted by notable musicians, including Willie Nelson and the Barenaked Ladies, according to U-T San Diego. SeaWorld contends that many aspects of the film are false and misleading.

This article tagged under: California

Animals