The Portugal News: 'Calls to bring an end to dolphins in captivity'

In an event promoted by MEP Francisco Guerreiro (Verdes/ALE) at the European Parliament, an appeal was made for an end to the exploitation of cetaceans for entertainment.

The event organised in Brussels aimed to bring together different entities, biologists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to discuss the need for the European Union (EU) to promote a gradual end to the exploitation of cetaceans for entertainment and the creation of sanctuaries for the dignified end of life of these animals if there is no possibility of their survival in marine ecosystems.

The event highlighted the many concerns about keeping these animals in aquariums, including the conditions they are forced to live in, resulting in welfare issues and an inability to exhibit natural behaviours.

MEP Francisco Guerreiro supported the creation of community legislation that prohibits the exploitation and exhibition of these marine mammals, including the end of their reproduction and importation, also preventing the establishment of new dolphinariums. He also showed support for these animals to be gradually removed from their current captivity and given to seaside sanctuaries.

“We have a long coastline and our country could position itself at the forefront of the rehabilitation of these animals, and could even establish partnerships with biology faculties and attract external scientific knowledge. Little is learned from seeing animals trapped in aquariums, contrary to what places promise; but much can be learned from the rehabilitation of these animals and from observing them in a natural environment”, commented the MEP.

The NGO Dolphinaria Free Europe (DFE), which represents several national animal protection organisations at the European level, presented its study with policy recommendations for the European Union to gradually achieve the end of captivity of dolphins and other cetaceans. DFE Spokesperson Margaux Dodds commented: “For decades, dolphins, whales and porpoises have been forced to perform in circuses for the reward of dead fish while living in sterile cement tanks. The scientific evidence is conclusive: cetaceans suffer in captivity.”

“The maintenance of cetaceans in captivity is cruel. None of the EU dolphinariums meet the requirements of Directive 1999/22/EC. We must put an end to these archaic attractions in Portugal and the European Union, and emphasise the protection of these highly intelligent creatures in nature”, adds MEP Francisco Guerreiro.

Currently, there are still 30 dolphinariums housing around 300 individual cetaceans in 14 EU Member States. Several jurisdictions around the world, including the European Union (for example, Croatia and Slovenia), already prohibit the importation of dolphins and/or cetaceans in captivity and other countries are discussing the matter (France) - indicating that there is an impetus for a Europe free from the exploitation of these animals.

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