Ocean theme parks in many countries are facing growing criticism over concerns about the welfare of sea mammals in captivity impacting attendance at some parks in the US. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been investigating reports that animals were being kept on ships moored off San Diego for months or even years without adequate food or water. Belugas, or white whales, are listed as “near threatened” under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international treaty signed in 1973 to protect wildlife against overexploitation. There are already 39 such theme parks, largely based on the concept made popular by SeaWorld in Florida, with another 16 under construction; the flagship Chimelong Ocean Kingdom recorded 80,000 visitors in a single day last year.
Ocean theme parks in many countries are facing growing criticism over concerns about the welfare of sea mammals in captivity impacting attendance at some parks in the US. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been investigating reports that animals were being kept on ships moored off San Diego for months or even years without adequate food or water. There are already 39 such theme parks, largely based on the concept made popular by SeaWorld in Florida, with another 16 under construction; the flagship Chimelong Ocean Kingdom recorded 80,000 visitors in a single day last year.