Outdated legislation, which has regulated dolphinaria in France since 1981, has finally been updated and includes a breeding ban for captive dolphins across France.

The new rules mean:

• An end to breeding, exchange and import programmes, meaning the scheduled end of dolphin captivity in France. It also means that the four killer whales held at Marineland in Antibes will be the last.
• An increase of at least 150% to the tank sizes of captive individuals
• The addition of waves and waterfalls for environmental enrichment
• No more use of chlorine in tank water
• No night-time shows or use of sound and light effects
• No direct contact between the public and cetaceans.
• Water parks and aquariums have six months to conform to the new rules, and a three-year deadline to expand tanks.

Born Free and our NGO friends; One Voice in France and the Dolphinaria-Free Europe coalition, are thoroughly delighted to hear that the current captive whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans) in France will be the last.

Born Free has long been opposed to the captivity of wild animals and continues to call for an end to this practice, whilst calling for greater legislative protection and higher welfare standards for captive cetaceans across Europe. Born Free also continues to facilitate concepts for cetacean sanctuaries as part of the #SanctuariesNotTanks campaign.