SeaWorld challenges California Coastal Commission’s ban on orca breeding

SeaWorld filed a lawsuit at the San Diego County Superior Court challenging the California Coastal Commission's October ruling on the ban of breeding captive killer whales.

Mashable reported that the California commission endorsed the "Blue World," which is a $100 million expansion for SeaWorld that would hold more orcas. However, this endorsement comes prohibition of the breeding, sale, trade or transfer of these captured orcas at the San Diego park.

In the lawsuit, SeaWorld claimed that the ban was illegal and has no jurisdiction on the orcas. The theme park in its lawsuit said, "This last-minute 'no breeding or transfer' condition is unprecedented." According to SeaWorld, the breeding and transportation of killer whales happen in the orca pools, not in the marine environment and are govern only by federal law.

CBS8 wrote that the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) criticized the lawsuit saying that the California Coastal Commission did the right thing on prohibiting the breeding of orcas in the theme park and acted on full authority as the protector of natural resources in the zone. PETA is baffled on SeaWorld move to challenge the ban, saying, "It's clear that the company's primary intention in pursuing the Blue World Project was to breed more orcas to confine to tanks."

PETA added, "However, SeaWorld's only chance of competing in the 21st century is to do what PETA has urged the company to do for years -- ditch the orca shows and tanks in favor of coastal sanctuaries for the animals and cutting-edge educational experiences without live animals for attendees."

According to Fox News, Coastal Commission spokeswoman Noaki Schwartz said that the agency avoided commenting on the particulars of the lawsuit, but the agency is firm with its stand to protect killer whales.

Last month, SeaWorld announced that it would stop the theatrical killer whale shows at the San Diego part. These orca shows will continue at the Orlando and San Antonio parks of SeaWorld.

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SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld, orca breeding, captive orca, SeaWorld lawsuit, California, California coastal commission

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