That something dies when ocean whispers behind the wall. Quote by Ric O'Barry. Now days, things are thankfully not as bleak. In Australia and several other countries it is now illegal to catch or import any more dolphins for captivity, and one day we hope no dolphins around the world will ever have to live in very small barren concrete tanks without proper care again. There are also many opportunities to view dolphins in the wild now, in the ocean, without unduly disturbing the dolphins.
Many people look to a future of coastal marine reserves rather than concrete tanks.
Here, the dolphins could be free to come and go as they pleased, choosing whether they wanted to make contact with humans or not. Instead of performances for food, the dolphins would not need to perform. Humans could observe the dolphins in their natural environment, carrying out natural behaviors, not under cue of a human. Regulations would ensure the dolphins were not harmed or stressed by humans. 2000 S. Kirby.