Cetacean Legislation by Country

Many countries have legislation/laws in place with regards to the keeping of cetaceans or banning their public display. Below are several examples for reference.

*Denotes countries that currently have no facilities holding captive cetaceans but do have legislation in place regarding their keeping and husbandry.

Please select a country and we'll provide you with more information on that countries' legislation.

BELGIUM
18 March 2019 – Ministerial Decree to amend various stipulations of the Ministerial Decree of 3 May 1999 on the establishment of minimum standards for keeping mammals in <zoos>

March 2021 – Ban on keeping of cetaceans in captivity in Brussels Capitol Region
Unofficial English Translation

FINLAND*
03 January 2011 – Cetaceans (Cetacea) 192/EEO/2003 Regulations for housing captive cetaceans – came into effect on 31.03.2003 (currently under review)
Unofficial English Translation

EU
29 March 1999 – EU Zoos Directive

July 2015 – Good Practices for implementation of EU Zoos Directive

FRANCE
25 March 2004 – Legislation for Keeping of Cetaceans

GERMANY
July 2009 – Bundesnaturschutzgesetz (Federal Nature Conservation Act)
7 May 2014 – BMEL (Agricultural Ministry) Guideline for Zoo animals including dolphins
(note, the BMEL document are guidelines only and not legally binding)

GREECE
Law 4039/2012 and 4235/2014 (articles 12, 13, 14) – banning animal performances in the country.

ITALY
21 March 2005 – Legislative Decree 21 March 2005, n. 73
Implementation of Directive 1999/22 / EC relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos
Amendments to regulations: 28 May 2015 and 20 December 2017

2018 – Ban on swimming with dolphins in captivity
Implementation of Directive 1999/22/EC on the keeping of wild animals in zoos. (17A08711)

POLAND*
2017 – Animal Protection Act
17 January 2018 – Nature Conservation Act
28 December 2016 – Minister of Environment Protection of Species
20 December 2004 – Minister of Environment Conditions for Keeping and Husbandry of Captive Animals

SWEDEN
SJVFS 2009:92, L 108, Kap 7 – Legislation regarding the keeping of dolphins and whales in captivity

SWITZERLAND*
2012 – Animal Protection Law

UNITED KINGDOM*
1990 – Supplement to the Secretary of State’s Standards Of Modern Zoo Practice
(Additional Standards for UK Cetacean Keeping)

USA – California
2017 – Orca Protection Act 2017

CANADA
21 June 2019 – Bill S-203, Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act

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