AW@L Radio - No love for Marineland: Sweeping changes proposed for Ontario's captive marine mammal industry

This audio was first aired on the January 30, 2015 edition of The Daily GRRR!

Today's feature is an interview an interview with Dylan Powell of Marineland Animal Defense on the recent announcement by the Ontario government to change rules governing the captive marine mammal industry in the province. Check out http://marinelandanimaldefense.com/ for more on the struggle to shut down marineland and on social media check out marineland animal defence at @marinelandAD

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With timing that caught many off-guard, the Ontario government has announced proposed changes to the captive marine mammal industry in the province after a two-year consultation process and a lengthy report from a team of top veterinarians.

The 128-page Rosen report suggests sweeping changes to rules governing how marine mammals, such as those held captive at the marineland complex in Niagara Falls, will need to be treated, including measures to ensure adequate tank size, proper social grouping, and healthy environmental conditions.

The government also suggested a ban on the sale or purchase of Orcas, a symbolic move which has uncertain consequences for Ontario's lone captive Orca, Kiska, at marineland.

Critics of the report say that following the new rules will make it hard to profit off of the exploitation of captive animals, while animal liberation activist Dylan Powell of Marineland Animal Defense noted that vigilance is required as the zoo lobby will now try to waterdown or eliminate these proposals before they become law.

This audio was first aired on the  January 30, 2015 edition of The Daily GRRR! The interview was undertaken by host Dan Kellar. The #DailyGRRR! is on every day weekday from 9-10 a.m. on 100.3 CKMS in Waterloo region, soundfm.ca on the web. Check out all out work at http://grandrivermc.ca