Cetaceans in Captivity: The Marineland Beluga Whale Crisis
By Kaitlin Pal and Ashoke Mohanraj
It’s almost impossible to look at a beluga whale and not feel a spark of wonder. They’re beautiful, gentle, a little goofy, and unbelievably cute. Chances are, when you were younger, you probably had a whale or dolphin plushie you carried everywhere. Who doesn’t love a soft, squishy beluga?
Maybe a visit to Marineland even sparked your love for belugas, dolphins, and other cetaceans. But today, the future of the 30 beluga whales still living at Marineland is uncertain and their story shows why protecting cetaceans in captivity matters now more than ever.
THE END OF CETACEANS IN CAPTIVITY
Marineland was once a zoo and amusement park where dolphins and belugas performed for crowds. But over time, serious concerns grew around keeping large, intelligent animals in small concrete pools. Experts questioned whether it was safe, ethical, or even fiscally responsible for these whales to live in captivity.
In response to national pressure and growing awareness, Canada passed the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act (Bill S-203) in 2019. This law makes it illegal to capture, breed, or import cetaceans for entertainment.
It means no new whales will ever be added to places like Marineland, marking a major step forward for animal welfare in Canada.
But it also creates a new responsibility...What happens to the whales who are already there?
THE BELUGA RETIREMENT PLAN
Most of Marineland’s belugas were born in captivity or captured from the wild decades ago. They’ve spent their entire lives in small concrete tanks that simply can’t meet their physical, emotional, or social needs.
That’s why scientists and animal-welfare organizations are working toward better solutions. One of the most promising is the sanctuary being created by the Whale Sanctuary Project in Port Hilford Bay, Nova Scotia—a natural, protected ocean environment where formerly captive whales can swim, explore, and live more like whales again.
It’s not a release into the wild, but it’s the closest, safest, and most humane alternative we can give them.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Marineland has stated publicly that if they cannot find relocation options, they may send belugas overseas to places with fewer protections or, if no option exists, they may euthanize them.
Scientists, lawyers, animal-advocacy groups, and families across Canada are urging immediate action to protect the whales. The first and most important step is an independent health assessment of all 30 belugas. Without this, no safe relocation plan can even begin.
Right now, organizations like Animal Justice are asking the public to call Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office and urge the Ontario government to intervene so these whales aren’t lost.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPARK GLOBAL CHANGE
Around the world, more than 3,500 cetaceans live in captivity. Ending this industry and building sanctuaries isn’t something one group or even one country can do alone.
It takes global teamwork; scientists, non-profits, governments, communities, and yes—even kids and families who care.
Sanctuaries are becoming possible because so many people are raising their voices. It’s a powerful reminder that when we work together, we can protect even the largest animals on Earth.
CALL TO ACTION!
Kids love belugas, and right now, belugas need kids. Learning about their story teaches young people empathy, responsibility, and the importance of speaking up for animals who cannot speak for themselves.
Families who want to help can:
Support the Whale Sanctuary Project, which is working to give cetaceans a more natural home
**** Please note that The Whale Sanctuary Project is designated by the US Internal Revenue Service as a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) charity in the United States. While they accept donations from all countries, contributions are only tax-deductible for donors who file taxes within the United States
Stay informed about the situation at Marineland
Raise their voices by supporting groups urging the Ontario government to act
Share the belugas’ story, because caring is cool—and it truly makes a difference
The 30 belugas at Marineland remind us that whales have feelings, families, and futures that matter. Together, parents, kids, and whole communities can help build a world where whales and dolphins live safely and freely, as close to their natural ocean home as possible.
How the Global Plastics Treaty Can Inspire Kids to Take Action
By Kaitlin Pal and Ashoke Mohanraj
Every day, millions of plastic items like straws, wrappers, bags, and water bottles are thrown away. Many of these items end up in our oceans, where they break down into tiny pieces called microplastics. Dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine animals sometimes mistake plastic for food, which makes them very sick. Scientists have even found microplastics inside humans, raising real concerns about our own health.
Dolphin Dude Season 1 Poster; Plastics
It’s a big problem, but the good news is that the world has been working together to find big solutions. Since 2022, countries have been negotiating something called the Global Plastics Treaty, a global agreement designed to tackle plastic pollution at every stage of its life cycle: from how plastics are made, to how they’re used, and finally how they’re disposed of.
The goal? To end plastic pollution by promoting reusable materials, limiting plastic production, and holding corporations accountable for the waste they create.
This past August, negotiations wrapped up, but unfortunately, not everyone could agree on how strong the rules should be. Some countries, especially those that produce the most plastic, wanted to focus only on waste management rather than reducing production. Others, including Canada, pushed for stronger measures: limiting production, banning harmful chemicals in items like food packaging and toys, and ensuring that Indigenous knowledge and rights are respected throughout the process.
Even though the treaty didn’t reach a final agreement this time, there’s still reason for hope! For the first time, nearly every country agreed that plastic pollution is a global crisis that demands legally binding action. Scientists, businesses, and community leaders around the world have built a strong foundation for when talks resume, and families everywhere have started paying more attention to the plastics they use every day.
Every small action counts. Whether it’s teaching kids to bring reusable water bottles, hosting a classroom cleanup day, or simply talking about where our trash goes, families and teachers can help keep this momentum going. Together, we can raise a generation that knows caring for our planet isn’t just cool, it’s necessary!
JOIN DOLPHIN DUDE’S MISSION TO END PLASTIC POLLUTION
The first season of Dolphin Dude dives into one of the biggest challenges our planet faces: Plastic Pollution. The very first episode explores the Global Plastics Treaty, helping kids understand not just the dangers of plastic waste, but also the real-world solutions that leaders are working on today.
Through Dolphin Dude, we empower kids to learn, care, and take action — showing that while plastic pollution is a serious problem, hope is always possible when we work together!
We’ve created a full lesson plan designed to spark discussion, provide helpful resources, and include engaging activities to help kids explore the topic in depth. The plan comes with a fun, hands-on Plastic Pledge Passport! Teachers and parents can download it for free and encourage kids to track their plastic-free actions at home or in the classroom. Because plastic shouldn’t travel the world — our actions should!
Download your lesson plan and Plastic Pledge Passport and start your journey toward a cleaner planet, and share your impact on social media. Let’s inspire a wave of change, one plastic-free step at a time!
Dolphin Dude - Plastic Pledge Passport
The Plastics Treaty Lesson Plan