Tell Congress to Pass the SWIMS Act and Ban Whale Captivity
For decades, whales have languished in small, concrete tanks at amusement parks and aquariums in the US. They’re separated from their families, deprived of their freedom, and exploited for profit.
The SWIMS (Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings) Act (H.R. 7145/S. 3694) would make it illegal to capture and breed orcas, belugas, false killer whales, and pilot whales for public display.
Specifically, the bill would:
- Amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to prohibit the taking, importation, or exportation of these whales for the purpose of public display.
- Amend the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit any breeding of these whales for future public display.
- Allow exemptions for animals being transported to a sanctuary setting or released to the wild.
Make this the last generation of whales to suffer in aquariums and amusement parks by supporting the SWIMS Act. Whales, like all wild animals, deserve to live in their natural homes, free from abuse.
World Animal Protection thanks Representatives Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), along with Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), for their leadership on this bill.
Hero image credit: Creative Commons / Milan Boers