The Vancouver Park Board has approved bylaw amendments officially banning new cetaceans at the Vancouver Aquarium. 

Commissioners approved changes to the Parks Control bylaw that would prevent the aquarium from bringing in cetaceans — including narwhals, dolphins, porpoises, killer whales and beluga whales — and bans "a show, performance or other form of entertainment, which includes one or more cetaceans." 

Six commissioners voted in favour of the motion, with independent commissioner Erin Shum voting against. The discussion over the amendments were brief, as the park board had already unanimously approved a motion in March asking staff to bring forward the amendments.

But the debate, coming after years of emotional discussions over the future of the aquarium's cetacean program, was watched by hundreds of protesters, inside and outside the meeting, who loudly denounced the park board's decision.