Overview
- The cabinet announced on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 that it intends to phase out keeping dolphins in the Netherlands and to introduce a permanent ban on dolphin breeding.
- The 22 dolphins now housed at Dolfinarium Harderwijk will be allowed to remain because there is no suitable alternative housing and captive-born animals cannot safely be released to the wild.
- The ministry said it will draft specific rules and consult scientists, animal-welfare groups and the Dolfinarium in the coming months and expects the breeding ban could take effect in about two years.
- Dolfinarium leadership rejected the policy, saying the government has not cited concrete scientific studies and noting the park has voluntarily avoided new dolphin births for eight years.
- Animal-welfare groups praised the move, and the government plans talks with the park on how to preserve its educational role and manage the economic and care costs as dolphins are phased out.