Cetacean captivity and sanctuaries: legislation worldwide

The gradual end of an industry

From the French ban on cetacean shows in 2025 to the Indian ban as early as 2013, the movement towards the end of captivity is gathering pace. This database lists legislation worldwide, marine sanctuary projects and historic closures.

Going further

The captivity debate is documented: see the famous captive cetaceans (Tilikum, Keiko, Lolita), the documentaries (Blackfish), the cognitive tests and the marine sanctuaries.

From the dolphinarium to the marine sanctuary: an ethical debate

Cetacean captivity is now contested by the majority of the scientific community, which documents dental collapse, stereotyped behaviour, reduced longevity and chronic stress in captive killer whales and common bottlenose dolphins. France passed a law in 2021 banning shows from 2026; Marineland Antibes closed its tanks to the public on 5 January 2025.

The emerging alternative is the marine sanctuary: a larger coastal sea pen where animals that cannot be released live out their lives. The Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia, the Beluga Sanctuary at Heimaey in Iceland and the proposed sanctuary for killer whales in Tenerife illustrate this path. Organisations such as WDC (Whale and Dolphin Conservation) and One Voice in France are campaigning for their development.