Dolphinaria Free Europe launched

Whale and dolphin experts from across the world launched a new initiative at the European Parliament last week to raise awareness about the exploitation of hundreds of captive whales and dolphins in Europe’s 33 captive facilities, located in 15 EU countries.

The Dolphinaria-Free Europe coalition, consisting of 19 NGOs from 11 countries, including Marine Connection are calling upon European citizens, Euro-Parliamentarians and Member State governments to end captive dolphin shows and interactive sessions which, they assert, exploit the animals and compromise their welfare.

Margaux Dodds, Director of Marine Connection, said: “Having worked extensively on the captivity issue worldwide, it is now time to address the issues surrounding captive whales and dolphins in Europe and we are delighted to be part of this important coalition. Dolphins and whales are highly intelligent mammals. To confine them to a small space, remove them of any stimulation which they would easily access in their natural habitat and train them to perform for food reward is quite simply wrong. There is supporting scientific evidence that captivity has both mental and physical effects and that these animals are not suited to a captive environment. It is our hope that one day be able to enjoy a Dolphinaria-Free Europe just as we currently enjoy a dolphinaria free UK.”

The Dolphinaria-Free Europe coalition will be challenging the captive dolphin industry throughout Europe, investigating malpractice, exposing non-compliance, and seeking the closure of captive facilities that only exploit their animals as objects of entertainment in meaningless shows and interactive activities.

For more information, visit www.marineconnection.org.