The Marine Connection acts upon and follows the progress of proposed and existing captive dolphin and whale facilities worldwide. One area in particular which has seen a massive expansion of proposed developments is the Middle East.

This area has seen a rapid expansion in all tourist facilities but worryingly, within Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, several captive dolphin facilities are being planned and developed. Click here for larger map of the area

Captive facility developments in the Middle Eastern region

Dubai		Ras Al Khaimah

Abu Dhabi		Bahrain

In April 2008 the charity launched an awareness campaign in the United Arab Emirates to raise public awareness about the issues surrounding keeping cetaceans in captivity.

Wild whales and dolphins in the Middle East

With all the development of captive marine mammal facilities within the Middle East, it would seem as though perhaps there was no other opportunity to view dolphins and whales. On the contrary, it is possible to see a massive range of dolphins and whales year round in United Arab Emirates waters including the Risso's dolphin, sperm whale (bottom right), blue whale (top right) and the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. For more information on whale and dolphin watching in the Middle East please click here