Beluga whales in aquariums and marine parks experience welfare challenges from social disruption, acoustic environments, and confinement that sea sanctuary programs offer as a more humane alternative.
Beluga welfare in captivity is compromised across multiple dimensions simultaneously. Acoustic environments in concrete tanks interfere with their sophisticated echolocation and communication systems. Social environments are incompatible with wild group dynamics. Confinement prevents the exploratory ranging that characterizes wild beluga behavior. The development of sea sanctuary alternatives represents a genuine welfare improvement that maintains some care infrastructure for animals unable to be released while providing vastly more appropriate environments. Supporting sea sanctuary development is one of the most impactful actions for captive cetacean welfare currently available.