31 years ago the last dolphinarium closed its doors in the UK and while this is something we celebrate, there is currently no law in place to stop new facilities from opening in the future.  This cannot remain unchallenged, as these places should have no future in the UK.

Between the early 1960s and 1990s, there were over 30 dolphinariums and travelling dolphin shows, with some even holding killer whales.  With it not being illegal to display dolphins or whales in the country, we need to ensure that no cetacean will suffer a lifetime of misery in confinement within UK borders ever again. Captivity is cruel and morally wrong.

Over the years, Marine Connection has urged the Government to put legislation in place regarding keeping cetaceans (dolphins, whales, and porpoises) in captivity.  Their common response has been that they consider the Zoo Licencing Act 1981 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006 sufficient to ensure cetaceans are not held in confinement in this country.  But this is not good enough, as even with the strict regulations in place, there is always the chance that someone would be able to establish a facility if they met the current guidelines.

Establishing a ban is the least the Government can do to ensure any window of opportunity is permanently closed.  This is long overdue however, inexplicably this is something they still refuse to consider.