Marine Life & Conservation
SeaWorld plans to block shareholder vote aimed at ‘retiring’ killer whales
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. intends to block shareholders from voting on a measure that urges the Orlando-based company to develop “coastal sanctuaries” and use them as retirement homes for its collection of captive killer whales.
The proposal was submitted by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in advance of SeaWorld’s first annual shareholders meeting, where shareholders will be asked to elect directors and vote on other company business. PETA owns 80 shares of SeaWorld stock.
But SeaWorld has told federal regulators it plans to ignore PETA’s request. The reason: Federal rules require shareholders to have held stock in a company for at least a year before they can submit recommendations for a vote. SeaWorld has been a publicly traded company for less than a year, making it impossible for any shareholder to meet that criterion.
“Because the proponent [PETA] had not — and could not have — held shares in the company for at least one year prior to the date on which it submitted the proposal, it is ineligible to submit a stockholder proposal at this time,” the company wrote in a recent letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The marine-park owner went public on April 19 of last year. PETA bought its shares in the company on the same day.
What’s more, SeaWorld says it plans to file its annual “proxy statement,” a document that must be mailed to shareholders before its yearly meeting and that must include any proposals to be voted on April 17, two days before its first anniversary as a publicly traded company.
To cover its bases, SeaWorld has asked the SEC for assurance that the agency will not take legal action should it exclude PETA’s recommendation from its proxy materials.
PETA, which has asked the SEC to deny SeaWorld’s request, accuses SeaWorld of hiding behind federal rules. The organization notes that it has held SeaWorld stock for as long as possible and that it does not intend to get rid of its stake in the company — which is currently valued at about $2,500 — before the annual meeting.
“SeaWorld shareholders should have an opportunity to improve the company’s reputation and preserve its future by making the progressive decision to transfer these intelligent mammals to sea sanctuaries where they finally have the opportunity to be whales again,” said Jared Goodman, PETA’s director of animal law.
SeaWorld defended its decision in a written statement Monday. “We owe it to our shareholders to conduct our annual proxy process in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations,” the company said.
The great white shark, known scientifically as Carcharodon carcharias, embodies the apex predator of the ocean. This majestic creature’s life is a testament to survival, adaptability, and the intricate balance of the marine ecosystem.
Born in the waters off coastal regions, a great white shark begins its life as a pup within the safety of nurseries, typically found in warm, shallow waters. The pups, measuring around 5 feet in length at birth, are immediately equipped with an innate instinct for survival.
As they grow, great whites embark on a journey, venturing into deeper and cooler waters, often covering vast distances across the ocean. These apex predators are perfectly adapted hunters, relying on their impressive senses to detect prey. Their acute sense of smell, aided by specialized sensory organs known as ampullae of Lorenzini, helps detect the faintest traces of blood in the water from several miles away.
Feeding primarily on seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals, great whites are known for their powerful jaws lined with rows of razor-sharp teeth. Their hunting techniques often involve stealth, utilizing their streamlined bodies to approach prey from below and striking with incredible speed and force.
Despite their fearsome reputation, great whites play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. As top predators, they help regulate the population of prey species, preventing overpopulation that could disrupt the balance of the food chain.
Reproduction among great white sharks is a slow and careful process. Females reach sexual maturity between 12 and 18 years of age, while males mature earlier, around 9 to 10 years old. Mating occurs through complex courtship rituals, with females giving birth to a small number of live pups after a gestation period of about 12 to 18 months.
However, the life of a great white shark is not without challenges. Human activities, including overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction, pose significant threats to their population. Additionally, despite their formidable presence, great whites are vulnerable and face dangers from entanglement in fishing gear and accidental bycatch.
Despite these challenges, great white sharks continue to inspire awe and fascination among scientists and nature enthusiasts. Their presence in the ocean serves as a reminder of the delicate balance and interconnectedness of marine life, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to protect these magnificent creatures for future generations to admire and study.
Want to learn more about sharks? Visit The Shark Trust website: www.sharktrust.org
Photos: avalon.red
Sea Mammals: The Past and Present Lives of Our Oceans’ Cornerstone Species by Annalisa Berta
This is a book packed with information about some of the most iconic and charismatic marine species. I have a particular soft spot for the pinnipeds, seals and sea lions, due to some incredible diving encounters over the years. So these were the pages I first turned to.
Once picked up this book is hard to put down. Polar Bears, Narwhal, Sea Otters, manatees, whales and dolphins adorn the pages with beautiful photographs and illustrations. Each turn of the page lures you in to discover more about a species you love, one you want to learn more about, some you have never heard of and even includes the details of fascinating animals that are sadly now extinct.
I think what I love most about this book is how it is organised. Rather than simply lump the animals into taxonomic groupings, they are put into chapters that tell you a story about them. Whether it is the story of their evolution, how they were discovered, their biology, behaviour or need for conservation. Once you have decided on an animal to delve deeper into, each species has its own story, as well as key information about size, diet, distribution, habitat and conservation status.
There is plenty to enjoy in this delightful book. Plenty to learn too. As the cold dark nights draw in, I can see myself delving into this book time and time again. This is a perfect gift for anyone that loves the ocean and its inhabitants. Or just treat yourself.
What the publisher says:
From the gregarious sea otter and playful dolphins to the sociable narwhal and iconic polar bear, sea mammals are a large, diverse, and increasingly precious group. In this book, Annalisa Berta, a leading expert on sea mammals and their evolution, presents an engaging and richly illustrated introduction to past and present species of these remarkable creatures, from the blue whale and the northern fur seal to the extinct giant sperm whale, aquatic sloth, and walking sea cow.
The book features more than 50 individual species profiles, themed chapters, stunning photographs, and specially commissioned paleo-illustrations of extinct species. It presents detailed accounts of these mammals’ evolutionary path, anatomy, behavior, habitats, and conservation. And because these are key species that complete many food chains and have the widest influence of all sea life, the book also offers insights into a broad variety of marine worlds today and in the future.
About the Author:
Annalisa Berta is professor emerita of biology at San Diego State University. A specialist in the anatomy and evolutionary biology of marine mammals, especially baleen whales, she formally described a skeleton of the early pinniped Enaliarctos. She is the author of Return to the Sea: The Life and Evolutionary Times of Marine Mammals and the editor of the award-winning Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises: A Natural History and Species Guide.
Book Details
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Hardcover
Price: £25
ISBN: 9780691236643
Published: 26th September, 2023
Pages: 224
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