Standards & Guidelines
The core reference for the management of aquatic mammals under human care, the standard every accredited member park is inspected against.
Download PDFThe structure that governs
EAAM.
A non-profit association, elected by its own members, governed by a Board and carried out by standing committees: how EAAM is legally and practically built.
The legal minimum
EU Zoos Directive
Directive 1999/22/EC
Requires member states to ensure zoos and aquaria participate in research from which conservation benefits accrue to the species, and promote public education and awareness of biodiversity conservation.
The EAAM standard
Formal accreditation
Instituted 2010
Independent inspection of every member park by qualified professionals, re-inspected every five years, against practice that typically exceeds legal requirements, and is reviewed continuously.
“Zoos shall participate in research from which conservation benefits accrue to the species, and promote public education and awareness in relation to the conservation of biodiversity.”
— EU Zoos Directive, 1999/22/EC
Institutional members.
13 accredited parks and aquaria across 8 countries, each independently inspected against the EAAM standard.
- Kolmårdens DjurparkKolmården, Sweden
- Boudewijn SeaparkBrugge, Belgium
- Tiergarten NürnbergNürnberg, Germany
- Planète SauvagePort-Saint-Père, France
- Acquario di GenovaGenova, Italy
- Zoomarine ItaliaTorvaianica, Italy
- OceanogràficValència, Spain
- Jardim Zoológico de LisboaLisboa, Portugal
- Mundo Aquático — ZoomarineAlbufeira, Portugal
- Rancho Texas Lanzarote ParkPuerto del Carmen, Tías, Lanzarote, Spain
- Loro ParquePuerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain
- Dolphin Connection CancúnCancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Dolphinaris CozumelSan Miguel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
The reference library.
EEP Key Figures
Longevity and sustainability figures for the managed bottlenose dolphin population across the European Endangered Species Programme.
Download PDFBest Practice Guidelines
Joint best-practice guidelines with EAZA for the care of sea lions and seals, covering husbandry, health and enrichment.
Download PDF
How accreditation is earned.
- 01
Apply
A member park applies for accreditation against the EAAM Standards & Guidelines.
- 02
Independent inspection
Qualified professionals, independent of the park, inspect every aspect of care against the standard.
- 03
Accreditation granted
Parks that meet the standard are accredited: practice that typically exceeds legal requirements.
- 04
Re-inspection
Accreditation is not permanent. Re-inspection is mandated every five years to hold the standard.
