Statement From PETA re SeaWorld’s Decision to Challenge the California Coastal Commission Over Orca Breeding

For Immediate Release:
December 29, 2015

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

The following is PETA’s statement about SeaWorld’s lawsuit challenging the California Coastal Commission’s decision to ban the breeding and importation of orcas for SeaWorld’s proposed Blue World Project expansion:

The California Coastal Commission was right to ban orca breeding as a condition of SeaWorld San Diego’s expansion and acted fully within its authority as protector of all resources within the coastal zone. We are left, though, to wonder why SeaWorld is fighting this decision at all, since it now says that its “goals” can be achieved with the existing cramped tanks, where there will “not [be] a significant change.” It’s clear that the company’s primary intention in pursuing the Blue World Project was to breed more orcas to confine to tanks. However, SeaWorld’s only chance of competing in the 21^st 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.

More information about PETA’s campaign is available at SeaWorldOfHurt.com.