Olivia Mandle, a 16-year-old activist from Spain, recently presented at the Congress of Deputies, urging lawmakers to ban the display and captivity of dolphins in the country. She collected 150,000 signatures in support of this push, highlighting a growing demand for change in how marine mammals are treated in Spain.
The campaign, titled Not a country for dolphins, began two years ago after a reported stance by World Animal Protection, which noted that Spain hosts a notable number of marine mammals in captivity. Spain stands out in Europe for housing a substantial population of dolphins and orcas in captivity, with more than a hundred cetaceans held across various facilities on the peninsula and beyond, a statistic that places the nation among the leaders in captivity on the continent in terms of numbers.
The Barcelona-based activist has built broad support for animal rights and has been embraced as a European advocate for climate and welfare issues. Her efforts have mobilized thousands of Spaniards to sign the petition on Change.org, drawing responses from scientists and supporters across multiple countries who share concerns about the welfare of captive marine life.
New law proposal aims to end captivity
The movement argues that recent animal welfare measures enacted by the national legislature have not gone far enough to address the needs and rights of marine mammals. Advocates emphasize that the current generation of dolphins and other cetaceans should be the last kept in captivity for entertainment or research purposes in Spain. The campaign calls for a complete ban on capture, breeding, and display of marine mammals in captivity, along with legislative reforms to protect their natural habitats and welfare.
public discussions around the campaign have featured prominent voices supporting the release of captive dolphins and the transition toward humane treatment. The activist and allied groups stress that dolphins are highly intelligent and social creatures whose well-being depends on living in large, natural aquatic environments. They argue that captivity imposes significant limitations on mobility and social interaction, creating challenges to the animals’ physical and psychological health.
There is concern that Spain hosts a large share of Europe’s captive cetacean population, and campaign advocates argue that reducing and eventually ending captivity would align the country with international movements toward ending cetacean displays. They point to examples from other nations where similar bans have been implemented, noting improvements in animal welfare and public understanding of marine life.
Supporters also highlight that marine mammals in captivity often endure lengthy life spans in confined spaces, with spaces substantially smaller than their natural ranges. Advocates call for enforcing standards that prioritize the animals’ freedom to swim, forage, and engage in natural social structures, arguing that contemporary science supports more humane approaches to viewing and studying these species without relying on captivity as a default.
World Animal Protection has campaigned for decades toward ending animal suffering and plans to join Olivia Mandle in ongoing efforts to advocate for reforms across Europe. The aim is to encourage Spain to follow the lead of other countries that have prohibited cetacean displays, fostering a broader shift in public attitudes and policy regarding marine mammal welfare.
Conversations about animal protection in Europe reference historical progress, including laws enacted by France in 2021 and Canada in 2019 that aim to prevent cruelty and ensure humane treatment of marine life. Advocates point to these examples as benchmarks for Spain to follow, reinforcing the message that the current generation of captive dolphins should not be the norm moving forward. Similar movements are taking shape in Latin America and other regions, with several countries evaluating or implementing measures to restrict or eliminate the captivity of marine mammals.
In some regions, regulatory frameworks have become so stringent that the practical feasibility of keeping marine mammals in captivity is diminished, prompting significant shifts in policy and practice. The movement emphasizes that reforms require careful consideration of animal welfare, public education, and the ethical implications of entertainment-centered displays.
Any ongoing efforts to reform policy and practice in Spain are grounded in a broader commitment to animal welfare and environmental stewardship. The discourse continues to evolve as legislators, scientists, and public supporters weigh the best path forward for marine mammals and the communities that engage with them in educational and entertainment settings.
For those seeking more information on the topic, official communications from environmental authorities and welfare organizations outline ongoing efforts and progress toward humane treatment standards. The discourse underscores a shared responsibility to ensure that future generations inherit a more compassionate and scientifically informed approach to marine life and its preservation.