~10,180
dolphins & small whales have been slaughtered or sold into captivity from the Taiji dolphin hunts since 2012
~3,000
dolphins are suffering in captivity all over the world – all for humans’ amusement and tourism dollars
92%
of marine creatures caught by New South Wales shark nets in 10 years have been ‘bycatch’, including dolphins, turtles and rays
We advocate for the protection of dolphins and challenge practices that cause them harm. We work tirelessly to change laws, educate the public, and promote institutional changes that lead to safer, healthier lives for dolphins.
We are fighting to end the dolphin hunt drives for good. Every year, fishermen herd hundreds of dolphins into a narrow cove in Taiji, Japan. Terrified, these dolphins are captured or killed. We’re targeting the two economic drivers – the sale of dolphins into captivity, and the slaughter of dolphins for food.
We’re on a mission to end the cruel cycle of dolphins suffering in marine parks. Dolphins in captivity can experience lifelong stress, deprivation, and physical harm. We’re advocating for laws against dolphin captivity, educating the public about its harmful effects, and encouraging people to engage with dolphins through responsible wildlife experiences.
Shark nets and lethal drumlines are ineffective at reducing the risks of shark bites, and harm countless marine animals in New South Wales and Queensland. We’re advocating for shark nets and lethal drumlines to be removed for good and educating people about the scientifically backed shark mitigation technologies already being widely and effectively used.
We’re putting an end to humans intervening in dolphins’ natural feeding behaviours. Feeding wild dolphins can disrupt their natural behaviours and can lead to injuries and disease. However, many people still think it is harmless. We’re raising awareness of the risks, asking the government to put dolphin welfare before tourism, and encouraging people to engage with dolphins through responsible wildlife experiences.
A healthy ocean is crucial for dolphins to thrive. We advocate for cleaner, safer oceans by raising awareness about the importance of marine conservation, minimising ocean pollution, promoting a plant based diet to mitigate the impact of commercial fishing and advocating to secure strong nature laws in Australia. Together, we can ensure a sustainable and vibrant home for dolphins.
United with thousands of dolphin defenders globally, we've achieved notable milestones in the fight to improve the lives of dolphins. Check out our biggest wins.
We’ve successfully outlawed the breeding of dolphins in New South Wales. Also, wild dolphins can’t be imported into New South Wales. This means that Zippy, Bella and Jet – the dolphins currently residing in the marine park called Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary – will be the last generation to live in captivity.
We tackled the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) as a way to disrupt the cruel dolphin hunts in Taiji, Japan. Garnering support through legal action and a petition signed by thousands, we persuaded 62 Japanese aquariums under WAZA to stop buying dolphins from Taiji – a groundbreaking achievement!
‘A small Australian group has done what years of vigils, arrests, and even the plea of a Kennedy could not: knock the wind out of Japan’s dolphin hunt’
Andrew Darby, The Sydney Morning Herald
To stop the slaughter of dolphins for meat, we’re taking action against companies peddling dolphin meat. We have already successfully shut down a key supplier of dolphin meat in Japan after our investigation revealed mercury levels in one meat sample were shockingly 97.5 times beyond Japan’s regulatory recommended limit.
In Ballina, Australia, we championed a campaign against the installation of shark nets. The NSW Government decided against the permanent use of these nets thanks to the loud voice of locals calling for their removal. This saves the lives of countless marine animals passing through these waters.
Our dynamic awareness campaign on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke) Island worked wonders – rangers report people are no longer feeding the wild dolphins! And the best part? These dolphins are now safe from being touched and fed by people, are free from social disruptions, and aggression spikes.
In our commitment to protect marine life, we’ve initiated beach cleanups. We have removed over 160kg of trash from local beaches, which is about the same weight as two adult dolphins. This has helped to prevent marine pollution and the resulting harm it can cause to marine creatures.
Keep informed on the risks faced by dolphins and small whales, and the global efforts to protect them.Subscribe to our newsroom
Action for Dolphins acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Australia’s land and surrounding seas. We recognise and appreciate the Traditional Custodian’s deep knowledge of marine animals and their long history of sustainable practices that have protected animals and the environment for millennia. We recognise and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work: the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge that this land and sea was and always will be Aboriginal land and sea.
