SHOWING their support for recent changes to dolphin captivity laws, PETA Australia supporters undertook a peaceful demonstration outside Dolphin Marine Conservation Park recently.

Supporters Olivia Charlton and Angela Banovis wore formal wear and raised their wine glasses in celebration of NSW’s recent ban on captive dolphin breeding and the importation of dolphins into the State.

Under the NSW Government’s Biodiversity Conservation Act-Amendment (Cetacea) Regulation 2021, a person must not import Cetacea in NSW for breeding or exhibition purposes.

The NSW Government ban follows TripAdvisor’s 2019 announcement that it would no longer sell tickets to captive-dolphin displays.

“The passing of this ban is a great step forward for dolphins used for entertainment in NSW,” PETA Australia activist Olivia Charlton said.

“This historic ban puts the final nail in the coffin of the dead-in-the-water captive marine mammal industry,” local PETA Australia activist Angela Banovis said.

PETA and Dolphin Freedom Fighters are calling on Dolphin Marine Conservation Park to retire the dolphins in the park to seaside sanctuaries.

“In captivity, highly intelligent and social dolphins are confined to cramped, chemically treated tanks and deprived of opportunities to swim long distances, dive deep, and choose their own mates,” the activists said.

“Many of them suffer from stress-related ailments and die prematurely.”

Dolphin Marine Conservation Park recently came out in support of the changes to the Biodiversity Conservation Act by the NSW Government to end the breeding of Cetacea (whales, dolphins and porpoises) in captivity and importation of Cetacea into NSW.

“As an organisation we have publicly stated that we do not intend to breed dolphins,” Dolphin Marine Conservation Park managing director Terry Goodall said.

“Dolphin Marine Conservation Park is opposed to the removal of Cetacea from the wild for the express purpose of exhibition and/or breeding.

“However, we will continue to rescue and rehabilitate stranded Cetacea and provide ongoing care if they are deemed unsuitable for release back to the wild.”

Olivia said the pair were heart warmed and excited by the reaction of the Coffs Harbour public to their peaceful demonstration, with passers by honking their horns and waving in support of their demonstration.

“It is clear that public opinion is changing and people don’t want to see dolphins kept in tiny tanks and forced to perform for those who haven’t come to realise the suffering these intelligent animals go through,” Olivia said.

“We are hopeful Queensland will follow NSW’s compassionate lead, and end breeding of dolphins at Gold Coast Sea World once and for all.”

 

By Emma DARBIN