Italy to establish Europe's inaugural marine sanctuary dedicated to dolphins

Next year, Italy will unveil the Mediterraneans first sanctuary dedicated to dolphins that have spent their lives in captivity. The initiative comes as more marine parks across Europe are closing, increasing the need for safe re-homing solutions.

"We need a fresh approach for caring for dolphins in a natural yet supervised environment," said Carmelo Fanizza, director of the San Paolo Dolphin Refuge.

The sanctuary, situated off Taranto in southern Italy's Puglia region, is awaiting final government approval. However, construction is nearly complete, and the first dolphins are expected to arrive by May or June 2026, according to Fanizza.

Countries such as Canada and France have banned the capture of dolphins, porpoises, and whales due to animal welfare concerns. As marine parks continue to shut down, a pressing question emerges: how to care for cetaceans that have only known life in captivity and cannot survive in the wild.

The Italian government granted the San Paolo Dolphin Refuge approval in 2023 to use a seven-hectare area in the Gulf of Taranto near the island of San Paolo. Fanizza emphasized that the location is "sheltered from open sea conditions, winds, and strong currents," alleviating concerns about its proximity to the industrial city of Taranto. Despite the city hosting a major steelworks with a history of pollution issues, current measures ensure air quality, water, and sediment are safe for the animals.

The sanctuary is located approximately four kilometres from the coast and includes a main enclosure of 1,600 square metres, a smaller area for potential transfers, and a veterinary quarantine facility. It also features a floating laboratory, on-site staff accommodation, a food preparation section, underwater and above-water surveillance, and sensors relaying data to a control room in Taranto.

Construction funding has primarily come from the Jonian Dolphin Conservation group, with additional support from private donors and European public funds. Operating costs are projected between 350,000 and 500,000 per year. Although the sanctuary can legally house up to 17 dolphins, Fanizza stressed that the focus will be on the well-being of a select group rather than maximizing numbers.

"Our priority is to choose dolphins whose health, behavior, and social structure make them suitable to start this project," he said.

Muriel Arnal, leader of the French animal rights organization One Voice, which advocates for marine sanctuaries, highlighted that Europe currently has around 60 dolphins in captivity. She expressed hope that San Paolo could also provide refuge for dolphins from other countries, including France.

Author: Noah Whitman