Mystic Aquarium, a neighbor, business partner, and community asset, is facing a legislative challenge to their whale research and education programs. We are asking our members to join us in OPPOSING Bill 5341 “An Act Prohibiting the Sale and Breeding of Certain Cetaceans” brought before the Joint Legislative Committee on the Environment.
Mystic Aquarium lives by its mission of education, research and conservation, and importantly, engages 800,000 people each year in learning about the ocean and its inhabitants. The experience of the beluga whales has inspired millions of people to care about the wellbeing of an endangered species and their ocean habitat. Recognized and accredited for outstanding research, Mystic Aquarium advances our knowledge about protecting cetaceans in the wild and improving their prospects for the future.
First and foremost, the bill is inconsistent with federal laws which are among the most stringent in the world in protecting marine mammals, assuring their right to breed, and the movement of animals under human care for their care and well-being. Equally as important, if enacted, this bill would limit Mystic Aquarium’s work to help preserve endangered cetaceans like populations of beluga whales, right whales, vaquita and many more.
We need to act fast. Here are two things you can do to help:
1. Attend a public hearing on March 6, 2020 at 11am in Hartford. Join us in standing against this proposed ban on whales.
Legislative Office Building
State Capital Government Office Complex
300 Capitol Ave #5100
Hartford, CT 06106
2. Send letters opposing the bill or submit written testimony by March 5 at noon to Whales@MysticAquarium.org.
Visit MysticAquarium.org/NoWhaleBan for more information and sample letters.
Click to view a letter from Dr. Stephen M. Coan, President & CEO of Mystic Aquarium
Please join us in supporting this important institution in our community and the vital research they do.