Buzzfeed said that 40 members, led by Democratic Congressmen Jared Huffman of San Rafael, had released a letter this week to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding regulations on orca and marine mammal captivity. The bipartisan letter addressed to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, is urging the agency to amend the existing Animal Welfare Act. The viral news site said that the law has not been updated since 1995.
In a phone interview, Huffman told Buzzfeed that the letter was inspired after seeing the controversial documentary "Blackfish." The documentary, which debuted at last year's Sundance Film Festival to great reviews, explores the issue on keeping killer whales captive for research and entertainment purposes. At the center of the film is an orca named Tilikum, who is being held in SeaWorld and has caused the deaths of three people while in captivity.
Huffman said that following the viewing of the documentary, he and his staff began their research on regulations concerning captive orcas and were reportedly surprised about the fact that proposed standards have been sitting at a standstill for more than a decade.
He said, "Like a lot of people, I did a lot of reflection after I saw the documentary Blackfish. I began to look into whether our federal authorities were taking the steps I think would be appropriate at this time to make sure we have the most responsible policy in place for marine mammal captivity, and I was very disappointed to find that they're not."
When Buzzfeed contact SeaWorld for comment about the letter sent by Huffman's group, a statement has yet to be available.
On the other hand, PETA Foundation Director of Animal Law Jared Goodman seconded Huffman's observation about the AWA's "archaic" regulation on captive marine animals. He said, "Social, intelligent, and complex orcas and dolphins are separated from their families, confined to tiny barren concrete tanks, deprived of everything that is natural and important to them, and forced to perform silly tricks at amusement parks such as SeaWorld. It's time for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-the only agency tasked with enforcing the AWA-to step up and ensure the humane treatment of animals by enforcing strict regulations to protect those who are used for "entertainment" from systemic abuse."
