Georgia Aquarium will push bid to import belugas in court hearing

The Georgia Aquarium has not given up on its effort to import additional beluga whales into the United States.

In 2012 the aquarium applied to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for a permit to import the wild-captured whales, but was denied. Last October the aquarium filed suit, seeking a ruling in federal court to compel granting of the permit.

On Wednesday, aquarium officials will be at a hearing in U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia asking to have additional documents added to the application, and seeking documents pertaining to the NOAA’s decision-making.

The aquarium wants to acquire 18 belugas captured in the Sakhalin-Amur region of the Sea of Okhotsk, off the east coast of Russia. The application for a permit to import the whales triggered enormous opposition from animal rights activists. Wild-caught belugas haven’t been imported into the U.S. in more than 20 years.

Caught by Russian collectors in the years 2006, 2010 and 2011, the snow-white cetaceans are being held at Russia’s Utrish Marine Mammal Research Station.

The Georgia Aquarium hopes to import the whales to add to the breeding stock being held in human care at six different facilities, including three SeaWorld parks and the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

The aquarium currently has two belugas in its collection.

Georgia Aquarium will push bid to import belugas in court hearing