What does SeaWorld’s decision mean for its whales?

The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously Thursday that if SeaWorld wants to build a $100-million whale habitat expansion plan, it must halt its killer whale breeding program and limit the transfer of whales in and out of the park. The decision came as a blow to the park, which has seen its attendance decline sharply since the release of the 2013 documentary "Blackfish."

SeaWorld San Diego currently has 11 whales, ranging from 10 months to 50 years old and up to 20 feet long.

The new ruling could means that the park's whales will grow old and die in SeaWorld without breeding new offspring, but because of the young age of some of the park's whales, SeaWorld's killer whale program could continue to operate for decades to come.

SeaWorld's whales:

*Age is approximate. Credits: Raoul Ranoa, Lorena Iniguez Elebee, Angelica Quintero and Priya Krishnakumar

Sources: Aecom, SeaWorld, National Geographic, Getty Images