Keeping cetaceans in captivity is cruel and unnecessary and our desire to "help kids learn" isn't a justification. France agreed to phase out cetacean displays and we should, too. It's barbaric.
It depends on your parameters of unnecessary, which is not defined. The massive oil spills, overfishing, net litter, and plastic pollution in the ocean are arguably much more cruel than keeping a zoo.
Putting a spin of whataboutism doesn’t make the OPs arguments any less valid
I’m not saying that, “X is an issue, but also Y,” which would indeed be whataboutism. I am saying however that if you remove X, it will make Y worse.
Hi all, author of the article here. Happy to discuss any disagreements or specific points, or expand on why I believe this.