A step in the right direction for Seaworld

You may remember some time ago I wrote about the film ‘Blackfish’ which gave us a look into the every day plight of the whales being kept in captivity at Seaworld Parks.  You can find the original post here (but please be warned it contains some images and footage some people may find distressing).

Finally, it seems things are heading in the right direction.  A few days ago, it was announced the Seaworld park in San Diego has been BANNED from breeding any more Orcas.

The California Coastal Commission imposed the ban which has been welcomed by animal rights activists who original put forward the suggestion of the ban.

Peta released a statement saying ‘the vote ensured no more orcas would be condemned to a non-life of loneliness, deprivation and misery’.

The ban also prohibits the sale, trade or transfer of captive orcas.

So what will Seaworld do now? They’ve just  had a $100 million tank expansion plan approved.  This of course could be fantastic news for the current captive mammals giving them more space (although still not enough compared to an OCEAN) .  But will Seaworld instead breed the other captive sea animals they have?  The ban appears to be ‘Orca specific’.  Have they already planned a way around this? Will we be seeing more dolphins being bred?  I hope not.

What are your thoughts?