The keeping of cetaceans in captivity is among the most debated animal welfare issues, with significant divisions between conservation arguments and welfare concerns.
The welfare case against cetacean captivity is among the strongest for any species in zoos or aquariums. The scale of need — daily ranges, complex social structures, acoustic environments, and behavioral complexity — is so far beyond what captive settings can provide that even the most sophisticated facilities represent severe welfare compromise. The public education argument that once justified marine mammal captivity is significantly weakened by the growth of high-quality wildlife documentaries, virtual reality experiences, and growing public access to wild dolphin watching. For cetaceans already in captivity, the challenge is maintaining welfare in settings that are fundamentally inadequate while transitioning away from new breeding and acquisitions.