SeaWorld Settles Over Citations for Orca Trainer Safety

SeaWorld San Diego has reached a settlement with California state regulators over a series of worker safety citations involving orca training.

The new regulations, which are still to be approved by the California Occupational Safety & Health Appeals Board, would prohibit trainers from swimming under orcas or surfing on them, as well as standing on the whales in almost all cases, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. While touching the orcas is not prohibited, it will be limited to certain positions and situations.

Settling the case will eliminate all four citations as well as $26,000 in fines. A park spokesperson said in a statement that SeaWorld is happy with the outcome and says the new conditions are “based largely on SeaWorld’s existing safety program.”

[San Diego Union-Tribune]