On the plus side it seems like they've learned their lesson with this regulation. Instead of shipping off these animals to poorly run facilities, they're just stopping the import of all new animals. I feel fairly mixed about all of this, but if you want to end whale and dolphin exhibits in aquariums then this is probably the best way to go. Let them live out their lives with their peer group and in an environment they are familiar with.

I also wonder if they can shift away from the 'orphanage' model to a more 'foster' model by bringing in sick animals, nursing them to health, then releasing them shortly after. Not sure if this is in the cards politically, but it would be a middle ground between traditional aquariums and a total ban. Its important to note many of these animals get to aquariums because they've been injured by humans. We should feel a responsibility to help them if we are the ones hurting them. Washing our hands of this responsibility seems irresponsible to me and justifying it with feel good politics seems highly questionable.