Coffs Harbour's marine attraction ends breeding dolphins in captivity

The Dolphin Marine Conservation Park in the NSW city of Coffs Harbour has announced that is has ceased breeding dolphins, making the five dolphins in its pools the last generation in captivity NSW.

The Park’s decision to stop breeding dolphins leaves Sea World on the Gold Coast as the last marine attraction in Australia to continue breeding dolphins in captivity.

Dolphin Marine Conservation Park's Managing Director Terry Goodall told the ABC "there's no reason for us to be breeding.”

Mindful of past controversy that has impacted the attraction - formerly known as Dolphin Marine Magic and before that the Pet Porpoise World - Goodall explained the Park’s commitment to its current cetaceans, advising “the ones we have are there because they are legacy animals and we just have to look after them.

"(These) dolphins have are rescued or born here (and) all indications are that they're fine and having a fulfilled life.”

Advising that the attraction will instead focus on education, conservation and rehabilitation, Goodall added “we will continue to have presentations to consumers because I firmly believe that is a fantastic way of educating people on what happens with these particular animals.

"We've been doing for 50 years, so it's not something new.

"We do want to get a wildlife hospital up and running and become more involved in education which has become a stronger part of our business model over the past number of years.

"Having said that we are going to be not breeding our dolphins, is not to say that we don't believe in breeding under human care when it's appropriate.

"People have been chanting the death knell of zoos for years, but zoos play a very important part because they do educate the consumer.”

With 30 dolphins, Sea World is committed to its ongoing conservation work and its sustainable breeding program.

Explaining this, Bikash Randhawa Chief Operating Officer for Sea World owner Village Roadshow Theme Parks advised that most of the dolphins at Sea World have been born there as part of their managed breeding program.

He explained “reproduction is a natural process which enriches the lives of the animals and helps contribute to positive welfare of the animals, which is our utmost priority.”

Stating that Sea World was proud of its world class exhibits for dolphins including some of the largest filtered natural sand bottom lagoon systems in the world, Randhawa added “the health and wellbeing of our animals is of the utmost priority and we have a strong reputation for caring for marine animals.”

The Dolphin Marine Conservation Park branding was introduced earlier this month.

Images: Dolphin Marine Conservation Park.