Marine Connection very much welcomes the latest news that captive dolphins will no longer be commercially bred or imported into the state of New South Wales (NSW).
NSW environment minister Matt Kean recently introduced the new regulation (made under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016), which will also effectively stop any future dolphin marine parks from being established in NSW. The new rule change will make sure the three captive dolphins, Zippy, Bella and Jet, currently held in Coffs Harbour will be the last in the state, and we congratulate everyone who played a part in making sure this new legislation passed.
In November 2019, Marine Connection made its submission regarding the exhibition of cetaceans in NSW to the Portfolio Committee for inclusion as part of the initial inquiry. This resulted in the release of a report by the Committee, which was tabled with the Clerk of the Parliaments on 14 December 2020 and this, along with the recommendations, were sent to the Government for response. We are encouraged by the quick decision on this new legislation which will effectively phase out dolphins in captivity in NSW.
What we are now asking is will the only other state in Australia currently still breeding dolphins for public display, Queensland, follow NSW lead – we sincerely hope so.
