Lawmakers in California put a bill that would end SeaWorld's orca shows on hold Tuesday.
The legislation would outlaw the use of trained captive killer whales at shows at the famous Shamu stadium, according to U-T San Diego. Killer whale shows are the main attraction for the animal theme and marine mammal park.
Despite the bill being shelved, the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee suggested that a new version of the bill could be brought back next year with more support from more detailed studies on the 10 whales at SeaWorld.
"This is a positive step forward," said Richard Bloom, Assemblyman and Santa Monica Democrat who introduced the bill. "The issue remains alive here in Sacramento. This gives us an opportunity to discuss the great variety of issues regarding orcas. Good things take time."
Bloom was inspired to create the legislation after watching the 2013 documentary "Blackfish". The filmmakers argued that the orcas become aggressive because of captivity and mistreatment. The documentary analyzed the events that led to the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010 in SeaWorld Orlando when she was killed by the whale Tilikum, Associated Press reported.
The import, export and breeding of killer whales would be banned under the bill, and SeaWorld San Diego would have to move its 10 whales out of tanks and into bigger sea pens.
Jerry Sanders, CEO of San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, said after the hearing on Tuesday that SeaWorld is important for the local economy since the park provides thousands of jobs and attracts millions of visitors, Associated Press reported.
SeaWorld has been looking to discredit "Blackfish", saying the documentary relies on biased experts and unqualified former employees.
SeaWorld President John Reilly said the park firmly believes that the orcas are treated well and are used in research to better understand the whales in the wild, U-T San Diego reported. He added that the whales are an important attraction for visitors at the park.
"While it may have been well-intended, it wasn't well conceived," Reilly said. "We don't support any element of it."
