Financial crisis has killed dolphin trade: Berman

Solomon Star 10 Jun 09;

The recent dolphin shipment to Philippines was only a transit to Singapore, Mr Berman said. "The government of Philippines is being challenged in court over the issue and the lack of validity of this shipment.

DOLPHIN Advocator Mark Berman of the Earth Island Institute, California, says the dolphin export is no longer viable in the current financial crisis.

Mr Berman was responding to the news of the new dolphin catching and export business in North Malaita.

"It is interesting that in the global recession where tourism is decreasing rapidly, and the fact that the live dolphin trade is fast becoming a dying business that the people of North Malaita would attempt such a venture," he said.

He said Mexico had banned all dolphin imports after the shipment from Solomon Islands in 2003.

Of the 28 dolphins shipped only 10 remained alive, he said.

In Dubai the recession was in full swing as the United Arab Emirates government had to provide over US$10 billion in bailout funds.

"Investors are leaving in large numbers from Dubai, literally walking away from homes, cars and other assets leaving them in foreclosure.

"Therefore who is willing to spend thousands of dollars to stay at the dolphin resort in Dubai at this stage?”

The recent dolphin shipment to Philippines was only a transit to Singapore, Mr Berman said.

"The government of Philippines is being challenged in court over the issue and the lack of validity of this shipment.

"The only reason these dolphins are in Philippines is to wait for the Singapore dolphin prison to open.

"It appears that the dolphins could not be cared for in the Solomons," he said.

He asked if the trade in live dolphins was so profitable, then why was Gavutu Island for sale.

"Is there a bidding war to purchase this place in view of the current economy when the job market losses worldwide are in the millions?

"It is time for the government of Solomon Islands to get real and invest in the future," he said.

Mr Berman added that Malaita's plans for a tuna cannery were dead in the water with this latest dolphin abuse venture, as any tuna cannery in Malaita needed dolphin-safe tuna label certification for export to the EU, US or Canada.

By MOFFAT MAMU