Italy is preparing to open Europe’s first marine sanctuary for dolphins retiring from oceanariums, a project dedicated to their rehabilitation and possible return to the wild.
November 12, 2025 — Official inauguration
Expected by May–June 2026 — Arrival of the first dolphins
San Paolo Dolphin Refuge
This refuge is located in the Gulf of Taranto within the southern Italian region of Apulia.
It is situated near San Paolo Island, the smallest member of the Cheradi archipelago.
The facility encompasses a 7-hectare protected marine area.
Carmelo Fanizza, founder of Jonian Dolphin Conservation, describes it as an "experimental model that can be replicated" across Europe. As dolphinariums in countries like France and Canada continue to close, the demand for such havens is growing. Naturally, similar initiatives are already being established.
Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary (Greece)
- Location: Lipsi Island, Aegean Sea
- Status: The world's first permanent coastal sanctuary for dolphins retired from captivity
- Goal: To provide a refuge for dolphins that cannot be released into the wild but require conditions close to their natural environment
- Features: The project is being developed with the participation of the international organization SEAS and local expert Anastasia Miliou, serving as a prototype for future sanctuaries.
Umah Lumba Rehabilitation Center (Bali, Indonesia)
- Location: Banyuwedang Bay, West Bali
- Status: Already operational (opened 2019–2020)
- Goal: Rehabilitation, preparation for release, and lifelong care for dolphins confiscated from hotels and amusement parks
- Current Inhabitants: Three dolphins—Rocky, Rambo, and Johnny—who were rescued from the Melka Hotel
- Organizer: Dolphin Project, led by Ric O'Barry, a pioneer in the field of dolphin rehabilitation
Whale Sanctuary Project (Nova Scotia, Canada)
- Location: Coastal Nova Scotia
- Status: Construction began in February 2026, with the first residents expected in the second half of the year
- Target Species: Orcas and belugas retiring from commercial oceanariums
- Context: France considers this project the most ethical option for relocating the orcas Wikie and Keijo from the shuttering Marineland Antibes
- Organization: A non-profit initiative focused on lifelong care rather than entertainment functions
