Orca Captivity

Floor Speech

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, while the documentary ``Blackfish'' ignited a public and passionate debate over whether orcas should be held in captivity for the purposes of display and entertainment, as they are at Sea World and other parks around the world, marine mammal experts have, for decades, been engaged in a longer discussion about the scientific value and morality of keeping killer whales in captivity.

``Blackfish'' documents the history of the captivity of orcas in the United States, focusing on one whale named Tilikum, who figured in the deaths of three of his trainers.

Public displays of animals can engage our children and kindle a lifelong interest in and respect for wildlife. They can sometimes add to our scientific body of knowledge. Indeed, these are often cited as the justifications for keeping animals in captivity. Yet the shows in which these animals are displayed often have more in common with a rock concert than a scientific exposition, and many believe that the psychological and physical harm done to these magnificent animals far outweighs any benefits reaped from their display.

Here are a few facts that call into question the propriety of keeping these animals in captivity.

In the wild, orcas frequently swim 100 miles a day and dive to great depths in search of food. In captivity, they are held in tiny, shallow concrete pools where they often wallow listlessly when not being asked to perform.

In the wild, the average life expectancy for male orcas is 30, and for females it is 50 years; whereas, most captive orcas die before they reach the age of 25. Remarkably, a 103-year-old orca was recently spotted off the coast of Canada.

In the wild, dorsal fin collapse is extremely rare, but all adult male orcas in captivity have collapsed dorsal fins. Many scientists attribute this phenomenon to the condition of their captivity, such as repetitive circular swimming patterns, gravitational pull from spending the vast majority of the
time at the surface of the water, and dehydration.

Marine mammals are some of the most intelligent nonhuman animals on Earth. They are highly social and live in matrilineal pods that can be as large as 40 individuals. Pod members are interdependent. Pods often have their own hunting techniques and communication styles that some argue are akin to language or dialect. Orcas in marine parks do not live in natural pods, and separation of calves and mothers has been documented on multiple occasions.

In the wild, not a single human death has been attributed to an orca, but captive orcas are responsible for numerous injuries and deaths. Because of this, the Labor Department's OSHA office has conducted an investigation and issued new rules aimed at protecting human trainers and handlers of orcas by prohibiting those trainers from getting in close contact with the animals during the shows. These rules have recently been upheld by the court of appeals.

Last month, my colleague Jared Huffman and I advanced an amendment to require USDA to finalize long-delayed regulations pertaining to the captivity of orcas. It is my hope that USDA will do so based on sound science and recognition of the harm these animals suffer in captivity, and not grounded in an effort to placate the interests of the industry that showcases them.

We cannot be responsible stewards of our natural environment and propagate messages about the importance of animal welfare when our policies and practices do not reflect our deeply held principles.

From my own point of view, I believe it is time to phase out killer whale captivity. This means no more captive breeding, no more wild captures. Orcas held in captivity now should live out their lives in their current habitats if they cannot likely survive in the wild. But with the death of this generation of captive orcas, we should draw a line: no more confinement in tiny tanks; no more forced social structures; no more captivity for our entertainment.

High mortality rates, aberrant behavior among orcas, the consistent collapsed dorsal fins, and the tragic deaths of trainers themselves all point in the same direction--an end to the forced captivity of these majestic creatures.

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