Marine mammals in captivity face significant welfare challenges. Reform movements have achieved some progress in improving standards, while broader debates about the ethics of captivity continue.
Marine mammal captivity welfare reform has made incremental progress but the fundamental challenge of providing adequate space, social complexity, and behavioural opportunity for animals adapted to ocean-scale environments remains unresolved. Orca welfare in particular has been the focus of public and scientific concern, with evidence of chronic stress, premature mortality, and abnormal behaviour in pool-housed individuals. Sea sanctuaries offering larger, more naturalistic environments represent a welfare improvement for current captives that cannot be released. Supporting organisations advocating for both improved captive standards and the end of new wild captures is the most balanced welfare position.