Yes, absolutely.
I'd just like to respectfully point out that the price to go and see these animals in captivity is actually more than going to see them through many of the whale-watching companies around the world. That argument, then, is often null and void.
Also, in terms of abuse, we have documented extensive abuse of these animals. I am looking for the unicorn whale. I'm looking for that individual in all of these facilities that I've been to around the world that doesn't show through its own behaviour that it has been abused.
We have substantial scientific evidence that shows that these animals are severely compromised biologically, behaviourally and welfare-wise. In fact, Marineland Canada cannot meet a single one of the five freedoms, which is the absolute minimum we look at for welfare in animals in captivity or in your own home.
I think there has been a substantial amount of evidence provided by a number of different expert witnesses to the Senate. They have done an extraordinary level of background research on this, and I think they have presented it to you in a very robust manner.
Your arguments are very valid about these animals—the other species that have been bred in captivity for release into the wild. However, it's worth noting that no one in Canada is doing this.
Also, despite the fact that this is breeding going on at Marineland, those animals come from Russia from a depleted population, probably depleted because of the captures that were made there for the aquarium industry. Those animals are not going back to Russia. Most likely they can't be released into the wild, because they were born in captivity and they don't have the survival skills.
Dealing with a carnivore—like a fish-eating whale—is different from dealing with something like the oryx you were talking about or the bison that are herbivores. You need a different set of life skills—