Cetacean vote: Fate of whale rescues at Vancouver Aquarium to be decided

The Vancouver Park Board is expected to vote Monday night to amend a bylaw that would ban bringing any new cetaceans into the Vancouver Aquarium, even injured or endangered ones.

The proposed bylaw will "prohibit the importation and display" of live cetaceans — porpoises, whales or dolphins — at the aquarium.

The commissioners are also expected to approve the new changes.

John Nightingale, CEO of the aquarium, has argued the bylaw could be harmful as even whales in distress would not be allowed in to the aquarium.

"I think they'll probably pass it," said John Nightingale, CEO of the aquarium.

"I think the politicians have kind of boxed themselves into a corner, and despite 94 per cent public support for keeping the rescue program. I think they'll eliminate it."

Rescue and release

If the latest amendments are approved, the aquarium will still be able rescue cetaceans, but will have to find somewhere else to keep them.

"The Vancouver Park Board wants to continue our efforts to work with the Vancouver Aquarium moving forward and the commissioners are 100 per cent behind the marine mammal centre," said Park Board chair Michael Wiebe who supports the ban.

The Marine Mammal Rescue Centre is used to treat sick and inured marine mammals, but not house them.

Nightingale says if the new changes are approved it will mean job losses and a major restructuring of the aquarium.

Monday's park board meeting will begin at 7 p.m. PT.

• John Nightingale's song to save a place for whales hits some wrong notes
• Vancouver Park Board releases draft plan to end cetacean display
• Vancouver Park Board votes to end display of cetaceans at aquarium

with files from Jon Hernandez and Yvette Brend.