An upcoming special park board meeting to discuss the Vancouver Aquarium’s policy on marine mammals promises to be as scorching as Second Beach sand on a hot day.
The Saturday morning public meeting is a chance for those on both sides of the cetaceans in captivity issue to share their views with the Vision-controlled board.
According to a park board communications spokesperson, as of July 22, no phone calls, but numerous emails had been received by the board and commissioners on the issue.
If there is not enough time to hear all speakers Saturday, the board will reconvene at a later date, possibly Monday.
A board-contracted report on what is happening at other aquariums, particularly those without whales or dolphins, is expected to be released this week prior to the meeting and will be reviewed Saturday.
The aquarium, which last month unveiled the first phase of its approximately $100-million expansion, will make a presentation.
Once the full expansion is completed, the aquarium is set to include larger whale and dolphin tanks.
“Imposed changes to our current agreement with the park board about the animals in our care will severely hamper the aquarium’s ability to educate and inspire the public about ocean issues — to conduct meaningful, conservation-based research,” read an unattributed statement from the aquarium in response to a Courier request for an interview.
Mayor Gregor Robertson said in April he is personally opposed to keeping cetaceans at the facility and he put the onus on the park board to come up with a decision about the ongoing controversy.
Niki Sharma, a park board commissioner running for council with Vision in the municipal election in November, has publicly questioned the practice of keeping the marine mammals. Vision park bard chair
Aaron Jasper, outgoing Vision park board commissioner Sarah Blyth and Vision vice-chair Constance Barnes, who is seeking the federal NDP nomination for Vancouver-Centre, have all stated they oppose keeping whales and dolphins in captivity.
Barnes said no decisions will be made until everyone who registered to speak has been heard, but she expects the board ultimately will want cetaceans gone from the aquarium.
“In my opinion, that is the goal, how do we work with the aquarium to phase out whales and dolphins in captivity,” Barnes said.
Barnes said she recognizes the aquarium does great rescue work, but said she has questions about whether the aquarium should be following a rescue and release policy as opposed to rescue and keep.
She said she has further questions about breeding and trading.
According to Barnes, the board needs to make a decision sooner rather than later.
“We are not in a position to hold off on anything just because it is an election year, I think this is an issue that we have heard loud and clear needs to be addressed now,” she said.
Barnes stressed that even if the board decided to phase out the marine mammals, the belugas at the Aquarium would remain there until the end of their lives, likely another 30 years.
“They are not releasable,” she said.
The special public meeting takes place Saturday, July 26, at 9 a.m. at the park board boardroom, 2099 Beach Ave.
Those interested in speaking at the meeting must register by noon, Friday, July 25.
To register or for more info go to vancouver.ca or call 604-257-8158.
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Note: This story has been updated since first posted.
