Dear Friends and Orcaholics, What a joyous day it was yesterday when the California Coastal Commission held its hearing for SeaWorld's Blue World Project. The tank expansion was approved under the following conditions: - SeaWorld San Diego would no longer be allowed to breed orcas in San Diego - the park would have a cap of 15 orcas maximum - the park would no longer be allowed to import or export the 11 orcas in San Diego with the exception of cetaceans that fall under the take provision of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (applies to orcas that were captured or imported such as Corky, Ulises, Kasatka and Shouka) - SeaWorld San Diego could not import orcas who were taken from the wild after January 2012 (this refers to Russian orcas and would prohibit SeaWorld from importing any of them, their progeny or genetic material). This is a massive milestone for all those who seek to improve the lives of captive orcas and a massive blow to SeaWorld. SeaWorld is clearly unhappy with this decision and has largely the following options: - Agree to the proposal, build Blue World but no longer breed orcas in the San Diego facility and follow all the above restrictions - Fight the decision by either appealing or suing the CCC for having gone beyond their powers (which SeaWorld claims they did) - Just give up on the Blue World Project and continue business as usual. It's very uncertain what SeaWorld will do so we are all keeping an eye on the situation. This is a major PR disaster and dilemma for SeaWorld and there is no easy way out for them this time! Thank you all SOOOOO VERY MUCH for partaking in our actions writing to the CCC. It paid off! This is a major achievement and it's all possible because you all made your voices loud and clear! We do not want to see orcas in captivity anymore! Thank you all for your hard work. This is your victory! <3 All the best, Kathleen