Post by Argo on Nov 28, 2005 4:17:44 GMT -5
Dolphin slave trader Chris Porter shut down by new Solomon Islands law..........
HONIARA, Solomon Islands (20 Nov 2005) -- Under increasing international pressure to crack down on dolphin slave traders, the government of the Solomon Islands has enacted a new law banning all exports of live dolphins.
The new law effectively shuts down Canadian businessman Chris Porter who provoked worldwide protests after selling dolphins captured in the Solomon Islands to amusement parks in Caribbean tourist destinations.
Conservationists applauded the decision and commended the government of the Solomon Islands and Soltai Fishing and Processing Ltd.
"Exporting these dolphins would have brought great shame and economic harm to the Solomon Islands," said Mark Berman of the Earth Island Institute. "The only one who would have benefited was the rich foreign businessman (Chris Porter) who captured the dolphins. The Solomon Islands government and Soltai Fishing and Processing Ltd., the island's tuna company, should be commended for stopping this abuse."
In 2003, Porter sold 28 dolphins to amusement park operators in Caribbean tourist destinations.
Nine of the dolphins died in the Solomons, at least six more have died since being transported to Mexico and according to the Mexican Wildlife Department, others are sick and dying. As many as 29 dolphins remain trapped in the Solomons.
"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.
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).
But Porter, 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.
"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.
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Can only say that its about time something happened in this area. Perhaps now people will realize that wild animals are not there for the paying public to amuse themselves............
Argo
HONIARA, Solomon Islands (20 Nov 2005) -- Under increasing international pressure to crack down on dolphin slave traders, the government of the Solomon Islands has enacted a new law banning all exports of live dolphins.
The new law effectively shuts down Canadian businessman Chris Porter who provoked worldwide protests after selling dolphins captured in the Solomon Islands to amusement parks in Caribbean tourist destinations.
Conservationists applauded the decision and commended the government of the Solomon Islands and Soltai Fishing and Processing Ltd.
"Exporting these dolphins would have brought great shame and economic harm to the Solomon Islands," said Mark Berman of the Earth Island Institute. "The only one who would have benefited was the rich foreign businessman (Chris Porter) who captured the dolphins. The Solomon Islands government and Soltai Fishing and Processing Ltd., the island's tuna company, should be commended for stopping this abuse."
In 2003, Porter sold 28 dolphins to amusement park operators in Caribbean tourist destinations.
Nine of the dolphins died in the Solomons, at least six more have died since being transported to Mexico and according to the Mexican Wildlife Department, others are sick and dying. As many as 29 dolphins remain trapped in the Solomons.
"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.
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).
But Porter, 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.
"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.
_____________________________________________
Can only say that its about time something happened in this area. Perhaps now people will realize that wild animals are not there for the paying public to amuse themselves............
Argo