Welfare Science

Marine Mammal Welfare in Research

Marine mammals are used in some research programs. Welfare standards for captive research animals exceed those for display animals in some jurisdictions but gaps remain.

Key Facts

US Marine Mammal Protection Act provides research display permitting for dolphins and sea lions
Research using trained dolphins for sonar and acoustic research has significant welfare implications
Some Navy marine mammal research programs have documented welfare management improvements
Scientific review of cetacean research justification is required in some countries
Alternative research methods including computer modeling are reducing reliance on captive cetaceans

Welfare Considerations

Marine mammal research welfare sits at the intersection of scientific necessity, military utility, and animal welfare obligation. Improving welfare standards for research animals, while developing non-cetacean alternatives for acoustic and sonar research, reduces welfare costs without compromising research objectives in most cases.

What You Can Do

Support development of non-cetacean alternatives for acoustic and sonar research
Advocate for independent welfare oversight of marine mammal research programs
Support marine mammal welfare science organizations providing guidance on research welfare standards
Learn about marine mammal research welfare to inform advocacy and institutional positions