HONIARA, Solomon Islands (24 June 2007) -- The government of the Solomon Islands has overturned its ban on exporting dolphins to amusement parks around the world. The High Court of the Solomon Islands ruled that the ban on selling dolphins to amusement parks is illegal. The ban two years ago effectively shut down Canadian businessman Chris Porter who provoked worldwide protests after selling dolphins captured in the Solomon Islands to amusement parks in Caribbean tourist destinations. Nine of the dolphins Porter caught died in the Solomons and at least six more died after being transported to a Cancun, Mexico amusement park popular with American, Canadian and European tourists. "Chris Porter is the worst kind of international criminal you could possibly imagine...I think he ought to be investigated and if there's enough evidence, be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said Michael O'Sullivan, Executive Director of The Humane Society of Canada. But Porter, Solomon Islands Fisheries Minister Nollen Leni, amusement park operators and several large PADI scuba diving resorts including Anthony's Key Resort in Honduras and Hugh Parkey's Belize Dive Connection in Belize argue that the lucrative trade and commercial exploitation of wild dolphins is not illegal, provides jobs for local communities and educates tourists about conservation of marine life. "We are exporting live dolphins to another location for purposes of used to entertain tourism and development in those countries," said Leni. "Many countries are doing the same thing--(why) do they pick on us." But Cyber Diver Society (CDS) Vice-President Sylvia Collins blasted Leni and other Solomon Islands political leaders for caving in to dolphin slave traders. | | Amusement parks typically greenwash dolphin shows to conceal huge profits and dead dolphins. "Dolphin Scuba Camp" at Anthony's Key Resort in Honduras promotes its "interactive" dolphin shows as an "educational" experience that combines dolphin feeding, a PADI scuba diving course and hotel room all for just $699 (16% hotel tax not included). "A dolphin that is hunted down, caught and then sold to an amusement park where it is forced to perform in deplorable conditions for paying tourists until it dies--well that is a tragedy that I would not want my children to witness until they are old enough to understand the evil that comes from human greed and ignorance," said Cyber Diver Society (CDS) Vice-President Sylvia Collins. "When amusement park operators and dive resort owners greenwash and eco-spin exploitation and harassment of marine wildlife, they persuade us of nothing except the degree of cynicism and sleeze that pervades the entire dolphin slave trade industry," Collins added. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORKSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
