The marine park industry is transforming under welfare and conservation pressure; understanding what genuine reform looks like is essential.
Cetaceans in marine parks suffer from confinement that cannot meet their spatial, social, or cognitive needs. Orcas in captivity develop collapsed dorsal fins, aggression toward tankmates, and early death. Dolphins swim in circular patterns for hours, a stereotypic behavior indicating chronic stress. Retirement to ocean-based sanctuaries would dramatically improve welfare for surviving captive cetaceans. The industry is changing under public pressure but genuine reform requires elimination of cetacean captivity.