79%

of Australia’s ocean that dolphins and whales rely on are outside marine protected areas

300k

whales and dolphins die every year after being tangled in fishing gear

3,000

dolphins are suffering in captivity all over the world for humans’ amusement and tourism dollars

11,109

dolphins & small whales have been slaughtered or sold into captivity from the Taiji dolphin hunts since 2012

How we make a difference

We advocate for the protection of dolphins, whales and their ocean home. We work tirelessly to change laws, educate the public, and achieve institutional reforms that lead to safer, healthier lives for dolphins, whales and the marine ecosystem they need to thrive.

More marine protected areas for dolphins and whales

Off Australia’s coast, dolphins and whales feed, raise their calves and follow their migration highways through waters that are only partly protected. For the first time in a decade, Australia is redrawing the map for marine protected areas. This is our chance to get it right for them.

We’ve mapped where dolphins live and where protection is missing, in the first ever Australian Dolphin Atlas. Now we’re taking it to the government’s review, calling for more marine sanctuaries in the places that matter most. Add your name to our submission calling for more protections

Add your name
Source Cassandra Smith

Halt the harmful dolphin hunts in Taiji

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.

Sign the petition
Source Kunito Seko

Break the cycle to end dolphins in captivity

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.

Make the pledge

Improve dolphins’ ocean home

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.

Help secure strong nature laws
Source Sara Pexels

Remove shark nets and lethal drumlines

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.

Sign the petition
Source Mother Ocean Freediving

Promote responsible tourism

We’re on a mission to show how whales and dolphins are intelligent, social, and awe-inspiring animals that deserve to live wild and free. We created a guide so people can watch them in their natural environment, which can support conservation rather than cause harm.

Access the dolphin and whale watching guide
Source Eclipse Chasers Pexels

End harmful feeding of dolphins

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.

Sign the petition
Source Andy Toots Unsplash

What our supporters say

We’re lucky to have some of the best supporters on the planet. With their help, we’re making it a safer place for dolphins.

'Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you do! I will gladly donate to a cause that is actually making a change!!'

Jodi B

‘They are doing great work and the highlight was to sue the hunters of Taiji in court.’

Leotien P

'The dedicated determination of the team to improve the education and therefore the concept people have of marine-life in general, and especially dolphins'

Maureen J

'Love love love this organisation. Great great team. 5/5 without a doubt. Thank you for all you do.'

Melody M

'Always dedicated to the right values and pursues with integrity and conviction. Thank you!'

Michele J

'Superb action against the awful cruelties humans inflict on Dolphins!'

Virginia S

Our achievements

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.

Source Action for Dolphins

Ending dolphin captivity in NSW

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.

Source Robert Gilhooly

Combatting Taiji dolphin hunts

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

Close-up of several packages of dolphin meat on display, each labeled with a price tag, in a supermarket setting.
Source Robert Gilhooly

Disrupting the dolphin meat trade

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.

Turtle swimming underwater
Source Wexor Tmg Unsplash

Saving marine life from shark nets in Ballina

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.

Source Grant Charsley Unsplash

Helped Minjerribah Island’s dolphins

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.

Source Toa Heftiba Unsplash

We helped clean our beaches

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.

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Keep informed on the risks faced by dolphins and small whales, and the global efforts to protect them.

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.