The Solomon Star 31 Dec 08;
SINGAPORE has been cautioned not to accept the bottlenose dolphins exported from the Solomon Islands.
Chairman of the Mexican Congress, Committee of Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries Senator Jorge Legorreta wrote to the Singapore Minister for National Development Mah Bau Tan on this.
This was after the recent shipment of bottlenose dolphins from here to the Philippines, which will be later transferred to Singapore.
Another consignment is reported to be shipped from here soon.
In the letter obtained by the Solomon Star, which was copied to Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua and Fisheries minister Nollen Leni, M Legorreta cautioned Mr Tan that there are plans for bottlenose dolphins from the Solomon Islands to be exported to Singapore.
“We understand that plans are underway to import a number of indo Pacific bottlenose dolphins from the Solomon Islands to your country. We wish to share our country’s experience to assist with your decision making process as you consider this import,” he said in the letter.
The senator said the 28 bottlenose dolphins exported to Mexico from the Solomon Islands in 2003 has tainted their country’s reputation.
“In July 2003, Mexico allowed an import of 28 dolphins from the Solomon Islands despite widespread criticism from CITES and non government organisations.
“Twelve of the dolphins eventually died which we see as an appalling mortality rate compared to the life of these friendly mammals living in the wild,” he stated in the letter.
“Mexico’s experience with this single import led to our government imposing an outright ban on importation and exportation of live cetaceans for entertainment purposes and this ban is still in place,” the Mexican senator said.
He said Mexico’s international reputation was damaged because of the negative publicity surrounding the single import from the Solomon Islands.
“We therefore urge the Singapore government to consider our experience and the mortality suffered by these animals when considering permits for the imports from the Solomon Islands,” he said.
By EDNAL PALMER
