Marine mammals in captivity - particularly orcas and dolphins - have been the subject of sustained welfare debate. The evidence on captive cetacean welfare has driven major policy changes and industry shifts.
The welfare evidence on captive orcas is among the most comprehensively documented of any captive wildlife species. Shorter lifespans, dorsal fin collapse, tooth wear from biting tank walls, stereotypic swimming, and aggression between confined incompatible animals all indicate profound welfare compromise. The intelligence, social complexity, and spatial requirements of orcas make aquarium tanks categorically inadequate. The shift in public opinion following Blackfish represents a genuine moral progress moment - evidence-based advocacy changing deeply entrenched commercial practices. The remaining task is ensuring existing captive animals receive the best possible care while the industry completes its transition away from new captive acquisition.