Ottawa grants conditional approval to export Marineland's remaining belugas

Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson has provided conditional approval for Marineland to export its remaining beluga whales to the United States, and said final permits will be issued once Marineland supplies further required information.

Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson has provided conditional approval for Marineland to export its remaining beluga whales to the United States. She said she met with Marineland and that final permits will be issued after the park supplies further required information. Marineland has described its proposal as an "urgent rescue solution" to transfer 30 belugas and four dolphins to U.S. institutions. The park has reportedly been in discussions with several U.S. aquariums, including Shedd, Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium and SeaWorld. Key facts: - Joanne Thompson announced she provided conditional approval and will issue final export permits once Marineland submits additional required information. - Marineland presented a plan to transfer 30 belugas and four dolphins to institutions in the United States, described by the park as an urgent rescue solution. - Reported potential destinations include Shedd Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium and SeaWorld. - Several anonymous sources told The Canadian Press that Marineland set an imminent deadline tied to the permit process. Summary: The conditional approval moves the export request past an important federal review step, while final permits remain contingent on Marineland providing the required information. The timing of any final decision depends on when those materials are submitted and reviewed by Fisheries officials.