Seals and sea lions are highly intelligent marine mammals whose welfare in captivity requires large, complex water environments, appropriate social groups, and freedom from performance-based management.
Pinniped welfare has evolved significantly as performance-based management has been progressively challenged and replaced. Sea lions trained through positive reinforcement for veterinary husbandry behaviours — voluntary blood sampling, ophthalmic examination, ultrasound cooperation — show lower stress and better health outcomes than those managed through aversive methods. The welfare case against performance shows (trained behaviours for entertainment rather than husbandry) is that they subordinate the animal' s needs to entertainment value and create conditions where welfare indicators may be suppressed in trained animals. Water quality, social management, and enrichment that allows natural diving, hunting simulation, and social behaviour are the core welfare requirements for captive pinnipeds.