Several nations involved in the chaos and controversy surrounding the Solomon Islands dolphins, dozens of whom still remain penned in the war-torn country, appear to be responding favorably to international pressure. The jury is still out, however, on where the Solomon Islands government stands in regard to these captured animals.
Mexico, which permitted the Parque Nizuc dolphin facility in Cancun to import 28 dolphins from the Solomon Islands in July, has pledged not to allow the importation of any more dolphins still held captive off the South Pacific island.
What's more, Mexico has begun a major review of its procedures for approving imports from nations that are not a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The government has decided to establish, in detail, the conditions under which any Mexican national or organization may import animals or plants from a non-party nation (such as the Solomon Islands).
In addition, the Mexican delegation at the CITES Animals Committee meeting, held August 12-15 in Geneva, Switzerland, raised the issue of trade with non-party nations, requesting greater clarity of what's required from non-parties. Mexico will pursue this issue within CITES, with the full support of The HSUS and other animal protection and environmental organizations.
Meanwhile, The HSUS and other groups are working directly with the Mexican government, primarily through officials with the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT), to ensure the well-being of the dolphins currently at Parque Nizuc.
The dolphin facility has been temporarily closed after a local Mexican dolphin, one of the 15 originally at the Parque Nizuc, recently died. Animal protection advocates worry that the dolphin died after exposure to an exotic pathogen, introduced by one of the Solomon Islands dolphins brought to Parque Nizuc, perhaps the dolphin who died shortly after arrival; Mexico is investigating the cause of death.
Mexico is also considering revoking the import permit and confiscating the dolphins at Parque Nizuc, but the government insists that everything it does to protect these dolphins be done according to domestic law.
The HSUS and others will continue to meet with SEMARNAT officials to ensure the best possible outcome for these dolphins. Whether that means repatriation to the Solomon Islands or redistribution to facilities in Mexico remains to be seen. Under no circumstances should these animals be re-exported to other countries. Such a course of action would promote, rather than discourage, the trade in dolphins.
On the Other Side of the World
Back in the Solomon Islands, where a four-year-old civil war forced the country to call in Australian and New Zealand peacekeeping forces, Australia has been actively trying to improve the situation for the dolphins still held in pens in Honiara and on Gavutu Island. Australian officials have issued diplomatic requests to interested export markets, such as Taiwan, Japan and Thailand, to refrain from trading in Solomon Islands dolphins.
Australian Minister of Environment and Heritage David Kemp has communicated personally with relevant Solomon Islands ministers, expressing Australia's concern about the reported deaths and mistreatment of these dolphins. The Solomons government has apparently agreed to allow an international team of dolphin experts to inspect the makeshift facilities in Honiara and Gavutu Island; some have suggested the experts be accompanied by protective guard, since other interested parties, including the media, have reportedly not received a warm welcome from those watching over the pens. The Australian and New Zealand governments have also called on the Solomon Islands to release the dolphins. Minister Kemp stated, “[regarding]... concerns over the health of these dolphins and if there is no intention to export these dolphins in compliance with international conventions, then the obvious action for the Solomon Islands to take is to release the dolphins” (Doorstop, Parliament House, 13th August, 2003).
Australia in fact does not support the trade of live cetaceans, which is illegal under the country’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
While Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand have responded favorably to international pressure, the Solomon Islands government itself remains an enigma to animal protection organizations. Yes, the government has apparently agreed to allow a team of dolphin experts into the country—although that has not been confirmed—yet Solomons officials appear to be defending their actions in regard to these captive dolphins.
The Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has apparently issued a public statement, the first known official response to the voluminous correspondence the country has received from concerned global citizens. The statement, which has been making the rounds among animal protection organizations, was not received via any official government channel, so its authenticity has not been confirmed. However, Humane Society International's Australian office has received a copy of the statement and does not question its authenticity.
If this statement is indeed the official position of the Solomon Islands government, it does not bode well for the captured dolphins. It implies that the Solomon Islands government is not highly motivated to ensure the animals' well-being. The statement is full of untruths, inaccuracies, and self-serving justifications for capturing these dolphins.
In its statement, the Solomon Islands insists that only 39 dolphins are being held in pens. On-site reports from animal activists, however, peg the number much higher; they say there are at least 54 dolphins in the pens. There are also rumors, currently unsubstantiated, of even greater numbers, not to mention rumors of more recent captures.
The number of mortalities suffered to date is also in dispute. The official government statement makes no mention at all of deaths, although one (by crocodile attack) was widely reported in the popular media. Activists on site say at least six dolphins have died. At this stage, it is impossible to verify the accuracy of these numbers.
The HSUS has decided to rebut the ministry's official statement (see PDF link below). We regret having to take a strong tone with a government in turmoil, as we appreciate the desperate situation the islanders find themselves in, but the statement is disturbing and inaccurate and must be countered.
What You Can Do
- Write to Nelson Kile, the Solomon Islands' Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources and strongly urge him to order the release of the dolphins remaining in captivity in the Solomon Islands.
- Write to the Mexican government and politely ask the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources to confiscate the Solomon Islands dolphins at Parque Nizuc. Also, contact environmental officials in Australia and New Zealand—countries that are leading a peacekeeping force in the war-torn country—and ask them to help the Solomons government to release the remaining dolphins being held captive.
The Honorable Nelson Kile
Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources
P.O. Box G13
Honiara
SOLOMON ISLANDS
FAX: 011 677 38730
The Honorable Victor Lichtinger
Secretario
Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
Periférico Sur No. 4209, 6° piso
Colonia Jardines en la Montaña
14210, México D.F., México
Fax: 011 52 56 28 06 44
The Honorable Alexander Downer
Minister for Foreign Affairs
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA
Fax: 011 61 2 6273 4112
Senator the Honorable Robert Hill
Minister of Defence
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA
Fax: 011 61 2 6273 4118
The Honorable Dr. David Kemp
Minister for the Environment and Heritage
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA
Fax: 011 61 2 6273 6101
The Honorable Phil Goff, MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Fax: 011 64 4 495 8444
The Honorable Chris Carter, MP
Minister for Conservation
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Fax: 011 64 4 472 8034
Read The HSUS's rebuttal of the statement from the Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
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