As an internationally recognised zoological institution with high standards, Zoomarine actively participates in the global scientific and zoological community, contributing to species conservation, research, and the sharing of best practices in animal care and husbandry.
Zoological Accreditations
The park undergoes regular and rigorous inspections, is accredited by leading zoological and marine mammal associations, and complies with – and in many cases exceeds – all applicable legislation in Portugal and across the European Union. Discover the accreditations and certifications we have earned over more than three decades of commitment to excellence.
AMMPA (Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums) is an international accreditation association for marine parks, aquariums, zoos and research centres. Institutions accredited by AMMPA are recognised for their high standards of excellence in the treatment of marine mammals.
Humane Conservation™ is a certification programme from American Humane, the first humanitarian organisation in America and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare and humane treatment of animals in human care. This programme is built on scientific and evidence-based practices by independent expert consultants, scientists, behaviourists and ethicists. The Global Humane Certified™ seal attests to compliance with the highest animal care requirements.
IMATA (International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association) promotes the development of humane care and management of marine animals, encouraging communication among professionals who contribute to marine animal science through training, public exhibition, research, breeding, conservation, and education.
The mission of EAAM (European Association for Aquatic Mammals) is to ensure the welfare and conservation of marine mammals under the care of professionals in EAAM parks or in the wild. Its main objectives are to promote scientific progress in research, medicine, training, management and conservation of marine mammals, as well as to raise public awareness and educate the public about these species and measures for their conservation.
EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) is the largest association of zoos in Europe. EAZA programmes aim to maintain healthy and sustainable populations in zoos and aquaria. They also collaborate on research into animals in human care for application to wild populations.
AIZA members are governed by the objectives established by the Association itself in terms of conservation, education, public awareness, animal welfare, among others. They also follow the recommendations of EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) and WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquaria), to which it belongs.
The IAAAM (International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine) is a professional organisation dedicated to aquatic animal medicine.
The association promotes the exchange of knowledge among professionals, drives research and advances in the field, and establishes standards and practices for the management of animals in human care and in the wild, thus contributing to the conservation of these species.
IAATE (International Association of Avian Trainers) is an organisation focused on training and environmental education for birds.
It promotes the exchange of knowledge within the community, seeks to create educational programmes that promote bird conservation, establishes best practices in bird care, and drives research and innovation in this area.
Awards and International Recognition
Throughout our journey, we have received numerous awards in recognition of our best practices and our commitment to the welfare and protection of the animals in our care.
Consult the distinctions Zoomarine has received
2025
- IAATE High Flyer Award (best conference presentation) “Filling for success: How Lara’s story highlights the importance of medical training for animal welfare”, UK
- Tourism Merit Medal – Gold Grade awarded by the Algarve Tourism Board to Pedro Lavia, Founder and President of Zoomarine Algarve, in recognition of his contribution to a tourism edutainment model that integrates environmental education, biodiversity conservation and public engagement.
- Tourism Merit Medal – Silver Grade awarded by the Government of Portugal, through the Ministry of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Turismo de Portugal and the Portuguese Tourism Confederation, to Pedro Lavia, Founder and President of Zoomarine Algarve, in recognition of his contribution to advancing Portugal’s tourism edutainment model through the integration of conservation, education and public engagement.
2019
- EAAM Award “Best Training Presentation”, Algarve – EAAM (European Association for Aquatic Mammals), Portugal
- Carreira Belmiro Santos Award (16ª edition of Publituris Portugal Travel Awards) – Awarded to Sr. Pedro Lavia, Founder and President at Zoomarine
2018
- People’s choice Award, Algarve – IMATA (International Marine Animal Trainers Association), Portugal
2017
- IAATE “Special Award for Outstanding Achievement and Valuable Service-2017”, California, USA
- IAATE High Flyer Award (best presentation at the conference),“The Good, the Bad & the Ugly – Looking past the labels”, California, USA
2015
- People’s choice Award, Algarve – IMATA (International Marine Animal Trainers Association), Portugal
- ”Outernet technologies International” – 2nd place, “Whistle stability variation in captive bottlenose dolphins (tursiops truncatus) recorded in isolation and social contexts” – IMATA (International Marine Animal Trainers Association), Bahamas
- Honorary Member of the EAAM (European Association for Aquatic Mammals) – Awarded to Pedro Lavia, founder and President of Zoomarine
2014
- Sonny Allen Lifetime Achievement Award – IMATA – awarded to Mr. Pedro Lavia, Founder and President of Zoomarine
- IAATE (International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators) Award in the Show Behaviour of the Year category, for the new Tropical Birds presentation “Flying Colours”
2013
- IAATE (International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators) Award in the category of Enrichment Behaviour of the Year, process related to the development of environmental enrichment strategies for two bird species: Striated Caracara (Phalcoboenus australis) and White-breasted Crow (Corvus albus)
- IMATA Essay Contest Award for the presentation “Why is IMATA important to me”, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
2011
- 1st Place IMATA (International Marine Animal Trainers Association) in the First Time Presenter category – “Geriatric training of marine mammals”
- IAATE (International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators) Award in the Husbandry Behaviour of the Year category, for the high level of zoological care and bird management – work presented: “Station Training for Voluntary Feet Inspection”
2010
- AIZA (Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Award in the category of best presentation at the Annual Curators’ Meeting – “From predators to prey – the evolution of the presentation of birds of prey at Zoomarine”
2006
- 1st Place EAAM (European Association for Aquatic Mammals) in the category of Best Poster – “The ‘cotton cocoon’ technique: how to dislodge a fishing hook from a pinniped’s gastric cavity”
2004
- 1st Place IMATA (International Marine Animal Trainers Association) in Outernet Technologies Awards and 2nd Place Advanced Research category – “Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) Laparoscopy”
- 2nd Place IMATA (International Marine Animal Trainers Association) in the Advanced Search category
- 2nd Place IMATA (International Marine Animal Trainers Association) in Husbandry Training category – “Training a female Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) for a voluntary mouth biopsy)
- Manuel d’Arriaga Award, for contribution to the animal welfare cause, presented by the Animal Protection Society
- SEMAPP – Ocean Technology Foundation recognition for contribution to the success of Science, Education and Marine Archaeology in Portugal
2002
- 2nd Place IMATA (International Marine Animal Trainers Association) in the category of de Husbandry Training – “Voluntary training for a genital biopsy in a female dolphin”
1998
- IMATA People’s Choice Award – IMATA, Portugal
- IMATA Award (International Marine Animal Trainers Association) in the category of Husbandry Training/Research Development – “Teflon implantation procedure by cytoscopy in a dolphin bladder under medical training”
1997
- Merit Medal of Tourism, awarded by the Portuguese State Secretary for Tourism
1995
- IMATA Award (International Marine Animal Trainers Association) in the category of Best trained behaviour – “Voluntary trained cystoscopy”
