The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service seeks public comment on proposed rules that amend the Animal Welfare Act regulations concerning the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of marine mammals in captivity. These proposed changes would affect sections in the regulations relating to variances and implementation dates, indoor facilities, outdoor facilities, space requirements, and water quality. APHIS also proposes to revise the regulations that relate to swim-with-the-dolphin programs. APHIS states its belief that these actions are necessary to ensure that the minimum standards for the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of marine mammals in captivity are based on current industry and scientific knowledge and experience. APHIS will consider all comments on this proposed rule that it receives on or before April 4, 2016.
Click here to read APHIS’ Federal Register notice of these proposed rules.