No Whales In Captivity

04/11/2026

More than 3,000 fish species have been caught in bottom trawls, with estimates suggesting the true number could be nearly double, according to the world’s first global inventory.

A CALL TO ACTION
Nearly 99 per cent of bottom trawling takes place within countries’ national waters and jurisdictions, meaning governments have both the authority and responsibility to manage impacts on biodiversity and fisheries.
“We allow at least 100,000 trawlers to scrape the ocean floor, without even knowing what they are catching, and what damage they are doing to those species. It is important that governments take a precautionary approach and exclude bottom trawling from large swathes of the ocean, and particularly from so-called marine protected areas.” added senior author Dr. Amanda Vincent, director of Project Seahorse.

From seahorses to sharks, more than 3,000 fish species have been caught in bottom trawls, including many at risk of extinction, according to a new global inventory.

04/04/2026

This is such great news coming from Mexico!!! 🐬🐬🐬

Mexico is ending all dolphin shows and plans to return three hundred fifty dolphins to the ocean. This marks a major step toward protecting wildlife and treating animals with greater respect.

The decision shows how public views are changing as more people support natural habitats over performances. Many groups have pushed for this shift for years, and the new policy reflects those efforts.

Releasing the dolphins will take time and careful planning, but the long term goal is clear. It aims to give these animals a chance to live freely in the sea again.

This moment signals a growing global move toward kinder and more responsible treatment of animals.

Disclaimer: Images are generated using AI for illustration purposes only.

04/01/2026

Great webinar last night regarding oil tankers, pipelines and orcas.

PLEASE HELP and write to your MLA to voice your concernes.

Here's our letter emailed today to our MLA:
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Dear Honourable Brenda Bailey,

Yesterday, a pod of orcas swam under the Lions Gate Bridge and into Vancouver Harbour.

On behalf of our members and supporters, I oppose the proposed dredging of Burrard Inlet to increase the traffic in larger cargo ships.

I also oppose building the proposed pipelines from Alberta to our BC coast.

38 years later, the Exxon Valdez oil spill is still not cleaned up and the area's resident orca population has yet to recover from the loss of 20% of their pod. Tragically, they probably never will.

Oil spill recovery systems can not recover spilled bitumen that sinks in the ocean. Oil spills can happen in remote areas where it takes precious time for teams to get there and therefore damage to the marine ecosystems can be extensive.

I respectfully request that you and the BC NDP continue to oppose new oil pipelines to the BC coast, prioritize environmental concerns and maintain the coastal oil tanker ban.

Many thanks for your attention to this matter.

Best wishes,

Annelise Sorg
President
No Whales In Captivity

03/30/2026

Happening tomorrow! Webinar about the impacts of oil tank on the BC Coast.
Join Sierra Club supporters for a conversation on why continuing to invest in fossil fuel projects that threaten the coast are bad for the environment, orca populations, local ecosystems and our economy.

This free webinar is happening tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31, at 6:00 PM.

The panel will be hosted by Sierra Club BC Lead Organizer Flossie Baker and will feature:

Reuben George (Manager of Sacred Trust Tsleil Waututh Nation), who will share insights on how the TMX pipeline terminal is impacting Southern Resident Orcas, the coastal and marine restoration projects Tsleil-Waututh Nation has been undertaking, and the impacts the proposed dredging of Burrard Inlet might bring to these fragile ecosystems.
Karen Wristen (Executive Director at Living Oceans Society), who will speak about oil spill recovery preparedness on the North Coast, where a proposed oil pipeline would require a repeal of the North Coast Tanker Ban, as well as oil spill impacts on orca and herring.
Shelley Luce (Campaigns Director at Sierra Club BC), who will discuss why increasing oil exports and investments is not in the best interest of our communities and our economy.

REGISTER https://sierraclub.bc.ca/our-work/re-connecting-with-the-lands-waters/webinars/through-orcas-eyes-impacts-of-oil-tankers-on-the-bc-coast/?mkt_tok=Nzg4LVlCRi0yOTYAAAGg3ldYG-GrjqKx05iq_MMnNUcVWP5_lCNSqerZSGMnWRED4Ib2vlnwB_d1kxyA1lFI-eOncF5h93qxy5n3gEB4SYMfmUMRjMy3jX5RSSpY

03/25/2026

From our friends at Westcoast Environmental Law

Healthy coasts are critical for human safety and security, and responsible economic management. A new coastal marine law (and amendments to existing laws) could address marine pollution and contaminated seafood, protect coastal habitat, help restore shorelines, and recognize and standardize marine plans.

Staff Lawyer Erin Gray explains in this new blog.
https://www.wcel.org/blog/we-need-law-bring-coastal-marine-strategy-life?utm_source=LEB

Have 30 seconds to spare? Use our action tool to urge BC to adequately fund and develop a legal framework for the Coastal Marine Strategy!

https://blueprintforthecoast.ca/lets-enshrine-bcs-coastal-marine-strategy-into-law/

As British Columbia focuses on strengthening BC’s economic security in a world in turmoil, it should be putting significant energy into an existing marine policy, including strengthening it through law.

03/16/2026

Keeping crustaceans and fish in captivity is cruel, too.🐟🦀🦞
Please sign this petition if you agree. Thanks.

Phase out live seafood tanks in Canada

03/11/2026

Although the Vancouver Aquarium no longer tortures captive cetaceans and there is an anti-captivity ban in Canada since 2019... we still support our fellow whale activists fighting to end captivity in their own countries. Please participate in EMPTY THE TANKS events wherever you can. 🐬🐬🐬

Send a message to learn more

02/27/2026

New drone footage shows 30 belugas and dozens of deer remaining at Marineland, Niagara Falls, Ontario.
US whale jails have asked to import the belugas. With no whale sanctuary available, sadly it might be the belugas only option.

The defunct amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ont., is working to move its remaining animals to new homes. In the meantime, workers are regularly on site caring for aquatic and land animals, as seen in footage shot on Feb. 24, 2026.

01/23/2026

The fate of the surviving belugas and dolphins still lingering at the defunct Marineland in Niagara Falls, continues to be of great concern. Proposed options are either unacceptable or impossible. There are no sea sanctuaries available and the Canadian government already rejected an export application to send them to Chinese whale jails.
Now SeaWorld and other odious USA whale jails are lining up to take the cetaceans. It's come to this. In order to finally end cetacean captivity in Canada, those poor belugas and dolphins might end up in the USA with no guarantees that they will not be bread and not be forced to perform.
That's what happened to Bjossa, the last orca kept at the Vancouver Aquarium in 2001, and to the orcas kept in Sealand in Victoria before that. They were all shipped to a few SeaWorlds... but then those orca displays were closed forever.

TORONTO—As Marineland seeks new permits to export its remaining beluga whales and dolphins to the US, Animal Justice is urging the federal government to ensure any export conditions are consistent […]

01/20/2026

This is great news! The mom and calf kept in a French whale jail are coming to the Nova Scotia's sea sanctuary! For more info or to help out, please contact the The Whale Sanctuary Project.

The French government has made the groundbreaking decision for Wikie and Keijo, the captive orcas in Marineland Antibes to move to the sanctuary in Nova Scotia in 2026, subject to the necessary funds to complete the sanctuary by the end of summer. Preparing for the transfer is now a key step. After years in captivity, the orcas will need to undergo a gradual rehabilitation process: health checks, specialised care and adapted exercises to strengthen their underused muscles. This transition will be carried out jointly by Marineland’s carers and One Voice’s expert partners. Support the effort and learn more.
https://one-voice.fr/en/news/wikie-and-keijo-hope-for-a-sanctuary-for-the-orcas-from-marineland/

01/10/2026

Humpback whales are displaying one of the ocean’s greatest mysteries: they actively intervene in orca hunts — not to feed, but to protect.

A seal is being pursued by killer whales when, without warning, massive humpbacks rush in. They position themselves between predator and prey, use their barnacle-covered fins as shields, and sometimes even lift the threatened animals out of the water.

This behavior is far from rare. In over 115 documented encounters, humpbacks disrupted orca attacks in nearly 90% of cases — often protecting species that weren’t their own, including seals, sea lions, and gray whale calves.

And then they leave.
No food. No reward. No clear benefit.

Some scientists believe this behavior evolved from calf defense, while others suggest it may point to social awareness — or even empathy — in whales.

As one biologist put it:
“It’s almost as if humpbacks don’t like bullies.”

Instinct or something deeper?

🎥 Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBjMf_z4l_s&t=3s

12/20/2025

Wishing everyone a whale of a wonderful Christmas 💙