14 DAY TRIAL // Green group Sea Shepherd is now asking that people do not sign or share a petition started by the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Unless they think that they can sleep at night knowing that they have helped the captive marine mammal industry continue to abuse animals, that is.
On the organization's website, conservationist Sandy McElhaney with Sea Shepherd explains that the petition that folks must not sign or share concerns plans to import 18 wild-caught beluga whales in the United States.
The environmentalist details that this petition was started some time after, in August 2013, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said “no” to Georgia Aquarium’s request to bring said marine mammals into the country all the way from Russia.
At that time, the Administration explained that its refusal to let the facility import the 18 animals it had set its eyes on was due to the fact that, according to specialists, bringing the marine mammals into the United States was likely to have a negative impact on the wild beluga whales population.
Besides, it argued that some of the marine mammals were fairly young and therefore probably still nursing. Hence, separating them from their families hardly seemed like the right thing to do.
By the looks of it, the Georgia Aquarium does not see things quite like this. On the contrary, its “Act Now to Change the Fate of Belugas” petition, which is posted and awaiting signatures on the facility's website, argues that importing the 18 marine mammals from Russia is something that needs be done.
It goes on to claim that, by importing these marine mammals, Georgia Aquarium will help ensure enough genetic diversity to successfully promote healthy breeding of animals belonging to this species in accredited aquariums in North America.
Besides, researchers will have the chance to study these animals and, the more they will learn about them, the easier it will be to implement conservation projects. More so given the fact that the 18 beluga whales will also serve to educate the public about the need to protect biodiversity.
“Maintaining belugas in human care in accredited North American facilities is essential to the survival of belugas everywhere. Belugas in accredited facilities inspire wildlife conservation and allow for non-invasive study and observation that is vital to protecting belugas in the wild,” the Georgia Aquarium reportedly writes on its website.
“We also encourage you to send a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce to make your voice heard in support of the Georgia Aquarium beluga conservation program. Thank you for showing you care!,” the facility goes on to say.
Interestingly enough, it would appear that, apart from starting this petition, the Georgia Aquarium has also filed a lawsuit against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and hopes that a judge will eventually rule in its favor and twist the Administration's arm into letting the facility import the 18 beluga whales in the United States.
Sea Shepherd members and supporters, together with many other animal rights activists and conservationists, are not buying the Georgia Aquarium's arguments, and claim that the facility is not in the least concerned about conservation. On the contrary, they maintain that making a profit by exploiting animals is the only thing on its mind.
“This petition is an insult to real conservationists working to defend, conserve and protect our oceans and the animals who reside within,” says Sandy McElhaney.
Furthermore, “The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia has not yet made their ruling, but I hope they will see that Georgia Aquarium is putting profit over the conservation of this species, which the NOAA has already determined will suffer if the import is permitted.”
Just for the record, it must be said that, if the Georgia Aquarium gets its way and ends up importing the 18 wild-caught beluga whales from Russia, some of the marine mammals are expected to be sent to SeaWorld facilities.