One of Europe’s longest-running debates over captive dolphins has entered a new chapter. The Flemish Government has confirmed that the dolphinarium at Boudewijn Seapark in Bruges must permanently cease keeping dolphins by 2037, effectively setting an end date for the last remaining dolphinarium in Flanders.
However, the decision has sparked fierce opposition from the park itself. In an open letter addressed to the Flemish Government, Boudewijn Seapark argues that the closure lacks scientific justification and could ultimately have negative consequences for both the dolphins and the people who care for them.
The announcement has reignited a discussion that has divided politicians, animal welfare organisations, scientists and theme park enthusiasts for years.
Why 2037?
The decision is rooted in the Flemish Government’s long-term animal welfare policy.
Several years ago, new regulations prohibited the construction of additional dolphinariums in Flanders, banned the breeding and import of dolphins and introduced stricter welfare requirements. One of those rules requires Boudewijn Seapark to provide the animals with access to an outdoor pool by 2027.
Rather than demanding an immediate closure, the government chose a transition period ending in 2037. According to Flemish authorities, this gives the operator sufficient time to recover investments made in the new facilities while ensuring that dolphin keeping in Flanders comes to a definitive end.
By 2037, no dolphins may remain at the park.
Boudewijn Seapark Responds
Following the announcement, Boudewijn Seapark published an extensive open letter criticising the government’s decision.
The park says it fully supports high standards of animal welfare but questions whether the closure is based on scientific evidence. According to management, the dolphins receive specialised veterinary care, participate voluntarily in training sessions and live significantly longer than many wild dolphins.
The operators also argue that educational presentations help visitors develop a greater appreciation for marine conservation, something they believe cannot easily be replaced through digital experiences alone.
Perhaps most importantly, the park warns that there is currently no clear long-term plan for the dolphins themselves.
What Happens to the Dolphins?
One of the biggest unanswered questions is the future of the animals.
Releasing captive-born bottlenose dolphins into the wild is generally not considered a realistic option. Dolphins that have spent their entire lives under human care often lack the skills needed to survive independently and may struggle to integrate into wild populations.
Relocating them to another dolphinarium is also controversial, as it would simply move the debate elsewhere rather than resolving it.
Animal sanctuaries have increasingly been suggested as an alternative. In recent years, several projects around the world have explored the creation of large, enclosed coastal habitats where retired dolphins could live in more natural conditions while continuing to receive human care. However, such facilities remain limited, and none has yet been confirmed as the destination for the Bruges dolphins.
The uncertainty surrounding the animals’ future has become one of the central arguments in the ongoing debate.
A Changing European Landscape
The planned closure reflects a broader shift across Europe.
Over the past decade, several countries have tightened legislation governing the keeping of cetaceans. Breeding restrictions, bans on new facilities and stricter welfare standards have become increasingly common as public attitudes towards marine mammal entertainment have evolved.
Some dolphinariums have already closed, while others have shifted their focus towards rescue, rehabilitation and educational programmes rather than theatrical performances.
Belgium’s decision places it among a growing number of European regions moving away from keeping dolphins in captivity for entertainment purposes.
More Than Just a Dolphinarium
For Boudewijn Seapark, the issue extends beyond a single attraction.
In recent years, the park has invested heavily in its future by opening a large indoor play complex, renovating existing attractions and adding rides transferred from elsewhere within the Aspro Parks group. The dolphinarium remains one of the park’s best-known attractions, but it is no longer its only draw.
Management argues that the facility continues to play an important educational role while providing employment for experienced animal care professionals and veterinarians.
The Flemish Government, however, maintains that the ethical debate has moved beyond improving welfare standards. In its view, the long-term keeping of dolphins in captivity can no longer be justified, regardless of the quality of care they receive.
An Emotional Debate with No Easy Answers
The future of Boudewijn Seapark’s dolphinarium has become one of the most polarising topics in the European attractions industry.
Animal welfare organisations have welcomed the decision as a historic milestone that finally establishes a clear end date for dolphin captivity in Flanders. The park, meanwhile, insists the discussion should be based on scientific evidence rather than emotion and continues to call for dialogue about realistic alternatives for the animals.
With more than a decade remaining before the 2037 deadline, the debate is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Instead, attention will increasingly turn to the most important question of all: what will become of the dolphins once the curtain finally falls on Belgium’s last dolphinarium?
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