Bite Back is delighted to hear that the Dutch state secretary Silvio Erkens (responsible for Animal Welfare) has announced a breeding ban on dolphins at the Dolfinarium in Harderwijk in the Netherlands. A breeding ban prevents new animals from ending up in the same hopeless situation. This news was announced a few months after Bite Back and World Animal Protection released a joint statement in which experts and scientists urged the government to impose a breeding ban.

Bite Back has been campaigning against the Dolfinarium for more than 15 years. Since the beginning of our campaign more and more people have become aware of the animal’s suffering at the Dolfinarium Harderwijk, resulting in a steady decline in visitor numbers. Bite Back also succeeded in getting companies such as the Dutch Railways (NS) and DPG Media to stop selling discount tickets for the Dolfinarium. Previously, following a complaint from Bite Back, the Dolfinarium was no longer allowed to claim that dolphins were happy, and an enforcement request from Bite Back to the government generated significant attention and discussion after the Dolfinarium was forced to stop various activities in its shows.

Spokesperson Alex Romijn: “This is fantastic news. Bite Back is pleased with the success achieved—first and foremost for the animals, but also for all the volunteers who continue to work hard to make a difference for the animals.” Bite Back sees the breeding ban as an important first step but emphasizes that efforts must now be made to also improve the lives of the animals currently in captivity. Spokesperson Romijn: “Bite Back advocates for the establishment of an independent expert group to explore options for these animals. This should include looking into the possibility of a return to the wild through rehabilitation, a sanctuary at sea, or a sanctuary on land.”

Currently, a sanctuary at sea is under development in Greece, and one is nearly ready for use in Italy. These do not offer sufficient spots to accommodate all the animals from the Dolfinarium. Bite Back believes that the Dolfinarium’s parent company must take responsibility. Spokesperson Romijn: “For years, the Dolfinarium has exploited the dolphins to generate profit for the parent company’s shareholders. It’s time for Aspro Parks to be held accountable and to contribute financially, to make a sanctuary a possible option for all dolphins.”

In Belgium, thanks in large part to our colleagues from Bite Back Belgium and their relentless campaigning, an end to dolphin captivity has already been announced for 2037. Bite Back hopes that the breeding ban in the Netherlands will also mark the beginning of the end for the Dolfinarium in Harderwijk. Spokesperson Romijn: “Bite Back will continue to work to accelerate the end of animal captivity at the Dolfinarium.

We will continue our activism, not just for the dolphins but for all animals currently held captive at the Dolfinarium. This news shows us that activism works, and we are looking forward to a Dolfinarium-free future for the Netherlands!