Bill would ban SeaWorld orca shows in California

SAN DIEGO >> A California state lawmaker wants to ban SeaWorld from using killer whales in its San Diego shows.

Assemblyman Richard Bloom, who unveiled the bill Friday, says orcas are too large and intelligent to be confined in small tanks for their entire lives.

His measure also would ban captive breeding and prohibit the import and export of orcas.

SeaWorld spokesman Dave Koontz says the company hasn’t seen Bloom’s legislation and can’t comment on it.

U-T San Diego reports that Bloom, a Santa Monica Democrat, was moved to act after watching the documentary "Blackfish," which argues that killer whales in captivity become more aggressive to humans and each other.

SeaWorld has called the film propaganda.