'No dolphinarium, including the one in Bruges, can comply'

Brussels, Wednesday 6 March 2024 - This morning, the Animal Welfare Committee of the Flemish Parliament heard experts on the proposal for a decree "on the welfare of dolphins" submitted by Els Ampe (Voor U). Also on hand: none other than Dr Jane Goodall, the legendary UN peace ambassador and world-renowned authority anthropologist/biologist, whose research on chimpanzees in their own biotope provided groundbreaking scientific knowledge and revolutionised primatology. In a video message, Jane Goodall explained why she is fighting against keeping cetaceans in captivity and pleading for the phasing out of the keeping of dolphins at the Bruges’ Boudewijn Seapark dolphinarium: "No dolphinarium, including the one in Bruge, can meet the needs of these magnificent marine mammals!"

Jane Goodall has been committed to animal rights and nature conservation for decades. In 2023, she addressed the Flemish Minister of Animal Welfare Ben Weyts (N-VA) in a video message expressing her concern for the dolphins at the Boudewijn Seapark. This time, the living legend is addressing the members of the Flemish Parliament's Animal Welfare Committee. In a video message, Jane Goodall informed the committee members that she had brought together a research committee of dolphin experts under the chairmanship of Flemish ethicist Dr Koen Margodt, who was personally present at the session. He too made clear why Jane Goodall and himself support Els Ampe's proposed decree and want the Bruges dolphins out of the dolphinarium. GAIA president Michel Vandenbosch also expressed his support for Els Ampe's proposed decree during the hearing. He argued unequivocally for, among other things:

• The gradual (natural) phasing out of the six dolphins kept in captivity at the Bruges’ dolphinarium of Boudewijn Seapark.
• A breeding and import ban and no replacement of deceased dolphins.
• A better destination for the dolphins at Boudewijn Seapark, offering guarantees of a semi-free life in a suitable bay or lagoon, where the dolphins would have a swimming area of some 20,000 square metres.

Delegates from the Bruges dolphinarium and other advocates of dolphinariums and keeping of dolphins in captivity were also heard. 

The new Flemish Animal Welfare Codex, which the government approved at third reading a few weeks ago, will be discussed in the parliamentary Animal Welfare Committee on 13 March. It includes a ban on keeping cetaceans in captivity. But according to Michel Vandenbosch, this is a sham ban.  

The codex does provide for a ban on breeding, export and import. But an exception was made for Boudewijn Seapark. On condition that an outdoor basin is constructed by 2027, Boudewijn Seapark may continue to keep a maximum of six bottlenose dolphins. Admittedly, the Flemish government can impose additional conditions, the codex vaguely mentions. Furthermore, the codex leaves the door open for a better destination based on an evaluation.

 Vandenbosch explains: "If it is determined that an operational alternative - such as a marine reserve - can provide the Bruges’ dolphins with living conditions that much better meet their needs and development potential, the dolphins should be transferred to the location in question."

The Animal Welfare Codex anticipates that a first evaluation would not take place until 2037. That means Bruges’ dolphins will spend at least another 13 years in captivity before their situation is given a first evaluation. That evaluation needs to come much sooner for GAIA. 

"I don't see why that evaluation can't happen much earlier and certainly as soon as a marine reserve is available where dolphins can live a better life in semi-free conditions and where they can thrive as much as possible," said Michel Vandenbosch. The decree proposal envisages an initial evaluation by 2025.

Vandenbosch therefore pleaded during the hearing for a real effective phasing-out as envisaged by Els Ampe's decree proposal, namely a gradual phasing-out of the dolphin population in Bruges as well as a ban on the replacement of deceased dolphins, on import and reproduction, including a ban on relocation to another dolphinarium. Other conditions in the decree proposal: the realisation of an outdoor pool of 1,000 square metres per dolphin by 2027 and, by 2025 at the latest, the installation of more porous walls in the basins to absorb the sound waves reflected against the walls - acrylic glass is not absorbent. This would reduce or even eliminate noise pollution for the dolphins.

Michel Vandenbosch: "Els Ampe's proposed decree is a significant improvement on the 'ban' contained in the Animal Welfare Code, which is not actually one."