$100M orca tank expansion at SeaWorld approved with conditions

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- The California Coastal Commission approved a plan for a major expansion to the orca tanks at SeaWorld San Diego Thursday night.

Hundreds of protesters and supporters made waves at the meeting, which was held in Long Beach, as the commission took up the issue of a $100-million expansion. The expansion will double the size of the park's orca tanks.

SeaWorld said the larger tanks, called the Blue World Project, will provide a better living environment for its 11 orcas and open new windows for researchers. But the commission's approval came under the condition that SeaWorld end captive breeding, artificial insemination and the sale, trade and transfer of any animal in captivity.

During the meeting, supporters and opponents of the expansion spoke out during public comment.

"The killer whales at SeaWorld are not bored. Each day, there are husbandry exercises, learning, relationship, play, and research training sessions that keep the whales enriched and stimulated," said Henrik Nollens, senior veterinarian at SeaWorld.

SeaWorld said its whales are healthier than those in the wild, even down to their dental work.

But opponent John Hargrove, a former trainer, said the whales are not healthy.

"Captive orcas are heavily medicated. They are treated for ulcers from chronic stress and for countless infections from multiple types of antibiotics," he said.

Activists said mating in captivity produces unhealthy relationships and cited one case of a mother orca rejecting both of her calves. The second one ended up dying in the first year of its life, one activist said.

Negative publicity, especially from the 2013 documentary "Blackfish," has eroded attendance at SeaWorld parks worldwide and caused stock to drop. SeaWorld blames uninformed extremists.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the commission voted 11-1 in favor of the expansion with the added conditions.

SeaWorld issued this statement following the vote:

"We are disappointed with the conditions that the California Coastal Commission placed on their approval of the Blue World Project, and will carefully review and consider our options," the statement said. "Breeding is a natural, fundamental and important part of an animal's life and depriving a social animal of the right to reproduce is inhumane."