Vancouver Aquarium agrees to cetacean ban in new 35-year lease agreement

The Vancouver Aquarium has agreed to a cetacean ban as part of a new 35-year lease agreement with the Vancouver Park Board.

It's also dropping its legal action against the park board overlost revenue because ofthe ban.

In 2017, the Vancouver Park Board voted to ban keepingwhales and dolphins incaptivity at the aquarium. Ocean Wise followed witha lawsuit against the city, claiming the banresulted in millions of dollars in lost revenueand constituted a breach of contract.

Ocean Wise saidin an emailed statementit hasagreed to no longer display cetaceans in Stanley Park.

Research will continue

An internal email from the president of the aquarium said the new agreement will allow the organization to launch its five-year strategic plan.

"Everything we do will be to drive real and practical conservation whether that's protecting a vital ecosystem, preventing the extinction of endangered species or ensuring our resources are managed sustainably for future generations."

Ocean Wise CEO Lasse Gustavssononthelease agreement with the Vancouver Park Board

Vancouver Aquarium CEO: Vancouver is the window to the Pacific and the future

5 years ago

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New Ocean Wise CEO Lasse Gustavsson says dropping its lawsuit against the park board was always about the lost revenue, not the cetacean ban and says he is looking forward to big changes at the Vancouver Aquarium.

The aquarium also promises tocontinue research programs it says have contributed to the global knowledge of marine wildlife.

The Vancouver Aquarium has been operating in Stanley Park since 1956.

It has not kept orcas in captivity since 2001and has pledged torely exclusively on captive animals for breeding.

Earlier this month, Ottawa passed legislation banningwhale and dolphin captivity in Canada.