All Performing Dolphins In NSW Should Be Sent To Sanctuaries, Report Recommends

A new report has recommended all dolphins used for performances in New South Wales should be moved to sanctuaries.

The NSW Upper House Committee has released its findings after looking at the state of cetacean care in the state.

It's made several suggestions on ways to improve the lives of these animals.

One suggestion is to retire and relocate three dolphins that perform in shows at the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park in Coffs Harbour, to a sea park sanctuary.

The report also recommends a state-wide rule on how many dolphins are allowed to be bred for conservation or protection, as well as government financial assistance for marine rescue and rehabilitation.

The Dolphin Marine Conservation Park made a submission for the report and said more work could be done, however this would only be the case if there was more money to help them focus on rescue and rehab.

In its submission, the Park wrote: "[We] currently conducts rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine animals in the Coffs Harbour area and beyond, routinely rescuing distressed seals, turtles and cetaceans.

"The Park undertakes these activities voluntarily, and the associated costs - estimated to be around $100,000 per year - are met through the Park's revenue, generated from visitors."

The report's findings have been celebrated and praised by animal welfare campaigners who hope NSW could become one of the most proactive states or territories in Australia with regards to protecting dolphins.

Ben Pearson, Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection, told news.com.au this report is a huge step forward.

"We are thrilled the inquiry has recommended the government fund the continuation of the feasibility study into a sea sanctuary for the dolphins at DMCP," Mr Pearson said in a statement.

"A sanctuary would be a win for the dolphins, a win for DMCP's employees and a win for Coffs Harbour.

"Dolphins can live up to 50 years in captivity, so we are hopeful they will live out their years in a larger and more natural environment."

Topics: Animals, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

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