News Archives

June, 2005

Dolphin debate heats up in St. Maarten

A controversial proposal to build a captive dolphin facility in St. Maarten was the topic of a heated debate at a recent meeting of the members of the island's Central Committee. Animal welfare and environmental organizations were able to present their opposition to plans by the Atlantida resort to bring captive dolphins to St. Maarten but facility representatives were on hand to drown out advocates' claims. Many fear that the lure of tourist dollars may convince island authorities to approve Atlantida's plans at the expense of the dolphins. Time is running out - - please send your letters today!

Plans for Atlantida include a large marine complex, housing 12 dolphins, 4 sea lions and rays in three pools. The project is estimated to cost upwards of $7 million dollars and plans are under way to import dolphins from Mexico.

Among the arguments raised by dolphin advocates is the vulnerability of St. Maarten to hurricanes and tropical storms that ravage the Caribbean each year. Captive dolphins face particular danger during these storms, as they are unable to escape the confines of their pool to seek shelter. Many captive dolphins have been seriously injured and killed by passing storms.

Also at issue is the fact that the animals intended for import to St. Maarten are the notorious Solomon Islands dolphins, which were captured and exported to Mexico despite much international opposition. Twenty-seven dolphins arrived at Parque Nizuc, Atlantida's facility in Cancun, Mexico, in July 2003. Shortly thereafter, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), the main industry association that represents captive dolphin facilities, revoked Parque Nizuc's membership based on the questionable circumstances surrounding this exchange. Confounding the legal issues was the fact that upon the dolphins' arrival in Mexico, park employees placed them in a natural sea pen adjacent to some resident dolphins, a breach of national environmental law. Federal authorities filed suit against park owners and the case remains unresolved to date. This leads many advocates to question how these dolphins, which are subject to a federal lawsuit, can be removed from the country