The Flemish government announced today that the dolphinarium in Bruges will close in 2037. For years, Flanders’ last dolphinarium has been the subject of debate, while Europe still boasts some 30 dolphinariums, all of which are recognized as being detrimental to the welfare of captive animals.
A Flemish animal welfare code was adopted last year, banning the import and breeding of dolphins, with an exception for the Boudewijn Seapark dolphinarium in Bruges. The park holds 6 dolphins, and doesn’t even have an outdoor tank. However, the Flemish code required the construction of an outdoor dolphin tank by 2027.
However, after this status quo, Minister Ben Weyts this week obtained the closure of the dolphinarium, by 2037 at the latest. This demand was backed by numerous animal welfare associations, as dolphins have a very hard time living in captivity.
“The life of a captive dolphin is hellish,” says Greek cetologist Thodoris Tsimpidis, director of the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation. “These animals use echolocation to orient themselves. To scan their environment, they constantly emit sound waves and capture those that reflect. In a small tank, the dolphins endure what would be for us a grand opera played continuously in a tiny courtyard.”
The only reason to keep dolphins captive in this way is ultimately for human amusement, as dolphins are not an endangered species requiring captivity. There was therefore no longer any reason to keep such tourist attractions, other than purely economic interests, in defiance of the dolphin’s well-being. The dolphinarium’s director, Lars van den Ham, was not very happy about this step forward for animal protection, and threatened the Flemish government with legal repercussions.
It’s a victory for animal welfare and the health of these 6 dolphins, who should be released by 2037 at the latest. However, the dolphins must not be released into other dolphinariums, but must be set free in a nature reserve such as the one planned for the Bay of Greece.
The Veeweyde team