Say No to Beluga Wild Capture Import Appeal

U.S. District court officials recently backed a NOAA Fisheries decision to deny the Georgia Aquarium’s requested transport permits for eighteen beluga whales who are currently being held in Russia. After a long legal battle that included one denial by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, a lawsuit by the Georgia Aquarium to overturn that ruling, and a multitude of conservation groups voicing their outrage at the application, the U.S district court officials backed NOAA and denied the permit on September 28. This is particularly important because if transport permits were to be approved, the U.S. would be seen as setting a precedent that capturing cetaceans for public display is acceptable. It would also be actively supporting the Russian wild-capture industry that is becoming more prevalent.

However, Georgia Aquarium CEO Mike Levin recently stated that the aquarium will once again appeal the decision. The capture and international sale of cetaceans is big business. Between 2006 and 2011, the eighteen belugas were captured from the Okhotsk Sea, located along the eastern coast of Russia. In 2012 the Georgia Aquarium applied to NOAA Fisheries for a permit to import them to the United States, claiming that they would help inform research efforts and educate the public. This is a ridiculous claim.

Russia is apparently attempting to solidify its position as a supplier to the international captivity industry. Since 2012, fourteen orca whales have been captured from the same area, with most being sold to entertainment facilities in China and Russia. Concerns that the Georgia Aquarium’s import could increase demand for wild-caught belugas, potentially resulting in an expanding capture initiative in Russia, were featured prominently in NOAA’s decision.

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