Petition · past parliament
Ban cetacean (whales, dolphins and porpoises) captivity in the UK
Closed
263 signatures
What the petition asks
Although presently there are no captive cetaceans in the UK, if there were, it would not actually be against current UK law.
Keeping cetaceans in captivity is cruel as there is no way their needs can be met. This outdated law needs changing to ensure the UK will never house captive cetaceans again.
Keeping cetaceans in captivity is cruel as there is no way their needs can be met. This outdated law needs changing to ensure the UK will never house captive cetaceans again.
Current UK standard of tanks deemed suitable for cetaceans is laid out in Klinowska and Brown’s Review of Dolphinaria, (1968).
Modern studies have proven captive cetaceans have shorter, more stressful lives than their wild counterparts. It is now clear that these intelligent animals cannot thrive in captivity, and our law should reflect that.
This ban should exclude sea pens designed for cetacean rehabilitation should any sites in the UK be identified as suitable for this purpose in the future.
Modern studies have proven captive cetaceans have shorter, more stressful lives than their wild counterparts. It is now clear that these intelligent animals cannot thrive in captivity, and our law should reflect that.
This ban should exclude sea pens designed for cetacean rehabilitation should any sites in the UK be identified as suitable for this purpose in the future.
Timeline
| 8 Aug 2019 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 6 Nov 2019 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
263
Status
Closed
Opened
8 Aug 2019
Closed
6 Nov 2019
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.