The former NSW Premier Bob Carr has thrown his support behind a campaign to end dolphin captivity in Australia.

The Australia For Dolphins "Show's Over" campaign is initially targeting the Coffs Harbour 'Dolphin Marine Magic' park.

The group's spokeswoman Angie Plummer said a clause has been left out of the current state legislation which lets dolphins born in captivity, be kept in captivity.

She said the laws must be tightened.

"This isn't the first time that politics has become involved in the issue," she said.

"In 1985 there was an Australian Senate report that found that captive dolphins in Australia suffer extreme stress and behavioural abnormalities.

"It recommended that dolphin captivity be shut down and here we are 30 years later still breeding dolphins for entertainment.

"So Bob Carr has come on to try and help us amend that."

Miss Plummer said she would like to see the Coffs Harbour park close, where animals perform for tourists in chlorinated pools.

"The Show's Over campaign aims to introduce legislation starting in NSW where the controversial Dolphin Marine Magic park is located, to end dolphin captivity in Australia," she said.

"We are hoping to phase out the use of dolphins in entertainment and start a more humane approach.

"That would involve introducing wild 'sea pens' where dolphins can be rehabilitated."

Management of Coffs Harbour's Dolphin Marine Magic said the push for wild sea pens needs more thought.

Chief Executive Officer Paige Sinclair said most animals live happily in captivity.

She said it is difficult to know who would pay for the sea pens.

"Sea pens would be a great idea if someone was willing to fund it," she said.

"A sea pen is going to cost millions of dollars you still need people to look after these animals, feed them, care for them and how's all that going to be funded.

"The other problem with sea pens is you have no control over the environment if there's an oil spill or pollution in the area or algae blooms you have absolutely no control over the environment for these animals."

Ms Sinclair said she would like Bob Carr to inspect the Coffs Harbour operation.

"I haven't spoken with Mr Carr and I don't believe he's come to the park," she said.

"I would invite him to come to the park and have a look and see what we do.

"He's only got one side of the story and as we know there's always three sides, there's somewhere in middle which is what I am going to call compromise."