PRESS ALERT: Dubai Should Oppose Live Dolphin Import

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PRESS ALERT: Dubai Should Oppose Live Dolphin Import

 

PRESS ALERT*************PRESS ALERT************

 

 

SAVE JAPAN DOLPHINS COALITION

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 3, 2007

 

Contacts: Mark J. Palmer, Earth Island Institute, (530) 758-6022 or

(415) 788-3666 x139; E-mail: mpalmer

 

 

Richard O'Barry, Save Japan Dolphins Coalition, Mobile Phone: (786) 973-8618;

E-mail: ricobarry

 

 

 

 

DUBAI SHOULD PROHIBIT IMPORTATION OF LIVE DOLPHINS

FROM SOLOMON ISLANDS

 

 

IMPORT WOULD VIOLATE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE

IN ENDANGERED SPECIES (CITES)

 

 

The Save Japan Dolphins Coalition and Earth Island Institute have called

upon the leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to DENY GRANTING OF IMPORT

PERMITS ALLOWING dolphins from the Solomon Islands TO ENTER THE UAE.

 

According to confidential government sources, twenty wild live dolphins

captured in the Solomon Islands are planned for export to Dubai, reportedly to

be used for a " swim-with-dolphins " tourist park in the UAE.

 

 

The capture of these dolphins in the Solomon Islands was done in the

most cruel manner as part of a local Solomons " drive fishery, " wherein dolphin

schools are chased into shallow water and killed for food. Twenty of the " best

specimens " for captivity were culled from the hunt to be sent to Dubai for

captive display; the rest were killed.

 

The scientific arm of the international trade body that regulates trade

in dolphins has denounced plans by the government of the Solomon Islands to

allow export of these live dolphins to other countries. The International Union

for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in a letter to the Solomons government,

insists that any export of wild dolphins would violate CITES because studies on

the status of local dolphin populations have never been done.

 

 

A copy of the letter is attached to this e-mail Press Alert.

 

 

The IUCN is the world's premier scientific expert on wildlife, including

marine mammals. CITES takes the recommendations of the IUCN as their basic

scientific data on the status of endangered wildlife. The Solomon Islands

joined CITES as a new member nation. The United Arab Emirates have been members

of CITES since 1990.

 

 

The Save Japan Dolphins Coalition and Earth Island Institute are asking

that the 20 dolphins be released back into the wild. The government of the

United Arab Emirates should block the import of such dolphins and join the world

in denouncing the cruel capture and EXPORTATION of these intelligent marine

mammals.

 

 

The Save Japan Dolphins Coalition includes Earth Island Institute, Elsa

Nature Conservancy of Japan, Animal Welfare Institute, and In Defense of

Animals. For further information on dolphins in captivity and the coalition's

efforts, go to:

 

 

http://www.SaveJapanDolphins.org