HONIARA, Solomon Islands (24 July 2003) -- The issuance of licenses to export dolphins from Solomon Islands without considering environmental impacts has raised concerns at the Environmental Concerns Action Network of Solomon Islands. The concern was raised in a meeting organized by the group, attended by organizations and individuals concerned about the fate of dolphins in the country. The group's director, Gabriel Suri, said that the meeting had also resolved to urge the Ministry of Environment and Conservation to urgently enforce the Environment Act and the Wildlife Act. He explains that these regulations require proper assessments, protection and control over wildlife such as dolphins. | | Suri stressed that the government must also take necessary steps to ratify the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, but this can only be done after approving the Environment Act and the Wildlife Act. The meeting was attended by many organizations including officials from the Ministry of Environment and Conservation and Ministry of Commerce, World Wide Fund for Nature Solomon Islands, Civil Society Network and many others. SOURCE - SIBC |
