Italy to open Europe's first marine sanctuary for dolphins

The Mediterranean Sea will be home to the first sanctuary for former "dolphin" dolphins: launch off the coast of Italy scheduled for 2026

Italy is preparing to open Europe's first marine sanctuary for dolphins that have spent their lives in captivity. The facility will be located in the waters off the coast of the Puglia region in the southern part of the country - near the city of Taranto. The project is designed to give the animals an alternative to dolphinarium pools, Phys.org reported.

A new home for dolphins after the closure of dolphinariums

According to Carmelo Fanizza, project manager of the San Paolo Dolphin Refuge project, the need for such refuges has grown dramatically, with more and more marine parks in Europe closing, and a number of countries - including Canada and France - banning the capture and captivity of dolphins, porpoises and whales.

A key question arises: what to do with animals that:

• have lived for decades,

• have spent almost their entire lives in captivity,

• and can't simply be released into the open sea because they don't know how to forage for food or avoid danger on their own.

"We need to develop a new model for keeping dolphins - in a natural environment, but under supervision," says Fanidzka.

Where the sanctuary will be located

In 2023, San Paolo Dolphin Refuge received permission from the Italian government to use a 7-hectare site in the Gulf of Taranto, near the island of San Paolo.

Key parameters:

• distance from the coast - about 4 kilometres;

• main water area of 1600 m²;

• separate smaller aviary for the transfer of animals;

• a separate area for quarantine and veterinary control.

The floating platform provides for:

• laboratory,

• premises for personnel with the possibility of round-the-clock duty,

• feed preparation area.

A video surveillance system (above and below water) and a network of sensors at sea transmit data to the control centre in Taranto.

An environmental issue: an industrial city in the neighbourhood

Part of the criticism stems from the fact that nearby is Taranto, a major industrial centre with one of Europe's largest steelworks, around which there have already been high-profile pollution scandals.

Fanidza claims that now:

• the plant is operating at a reduced load,

• the infrastructure of the area has been modernised,

• the quality of air, water and sediments in the selected area does not pose a threat to the health of the animals.

How many dolphins will be able to be taken in

According to documents, up to 17 dolphins can be housed in this marine sanctuary, but in fact no such density is planned.

"At this stage, our goal is not to collect as many animals as possible, but to select a group that, in terms of health, behaviour and social structure, will be optimal for launching the project," Fanidzka emphasises.

The construction of the sanctuary was mainly financed by the research organisation Jonian Dolphin Conservation (the initiator of the project) with the support of private donors and European foundations.

The annual maintenance costs are estimated at 350-500 thousand euros. The first dolphins are expected to be taken no later than May-June 2026, subject to final approval of the authorities.

A chance for other European countries

Muriel Arnal, head of the French animal welfare organisation One Voice, estimates that Europe now has about 60 dolphins in captivity.

She hopes the successful work of the sanctuary at San Paolo will become a model for other countries:

"When you have a model that works, it can be replicated," Arnal notes, adding that she expects some French dolphins will also be able to move to the marine sanctuary.