The Tribune

AN international animal rights organisation has added its voice to the concerns over the new dolphin facility at Blackbeard’s Cay.

The group, London-based Marine Connection, has written an open letter in support of the efforts of local organisation ReEarth, to bring judicial proceedings challenging the permits granted to the developers.

Last week, in what is being hailed as a victory for the local animal rights movement, a Supreme Court judge ruled that ReEarth’s application for a review would be allowed.

“We are writing to express our concern over plans to build a new dolphin facility at Blackbeard’s Cay and to fully support calls from ReEarth to be allowed time to bring Judicial Review proceedings challenging the permits/approvals received by the developers for this facility,” said the letter.

In its case, ReEarth claims the permits in question violate the Planning and Subdivisions Act 2010, which requires a public hearing prior to Town Planning Committee consideration or approval of any development.

“It is our belief that this new facility would be detrimental to the island and islanders in the long term,” said Marine Challenge director Margaux Dodds, “furthermore, we have concerns over the development of yet another dolphin facility in the area.

“If authorised, this would be the third in Nassau (along with Atlantis and Blue Lagoon Island Dolphin Encounters) plus another, UNEXSO, based on Grand Bahama – four in total within the Bahamas. Is there really a requirement for yet another?

“The developer, Samir Andrawos, who hails from St Maarten, claims that by challenging this development the authorities will jeopardise the possibility of creating hundreds of new jobs which would be necessary for the new facility.

“However, equally there have been fears raised by local traders in Bay Street and the surrounding areas that establishing a new dolphin facility will, in fact, remove trade which the local businesses rely on as most customers arrive on cruise ships, like Carnival Cruises; and if their time in port is taken up visiting yet another dolphin facility they would have no time, or perhaps opportunity, to purchase goods from these traders who have been established for many years on the island.”

The letter said dolphin facilities provide very little, if any, real educational value and do not assist in conservation efforts.

“It is reported that eight dolphins would be imported to stock this facility – where would these dolphins be sourced from? Takes from the wild are very detrimental to the wild populations, not only for the animals taken into captivity but also for those left behind, as many animals captured are breeding age females who are vital to the gene pool and future welfare of these populations,” it said.

“If the dolphins are to be sourced from another captive facility, they face a shorter life-span than their wild counterparts; many dying of stress-related diseases and are destined to live out what remains of their natural lives in a totally unnatural environment.

“Dolphins are not suited to a captive environment for many reasons. They are highly social mammals living in very complex societies with each individual being vital to the structure of a pod; are used to travelling large distances at great depth foraging for food and socialising – all of this is removed from them when displayed in captivity – as is their freedom of choice.

“Dolphins also ‘hear’ frequencies ten times above human range which can be very damaging when subjected to the loud music and continued crowd noise created in a captive dolphin facility.

“In view of the comments raised; we urge the government of the Bahamas and the local island inhabitants to support calls for authorisation for this new facility to be revoked/refused.

“In the long term, whilst this may create several new opportunities for employment, it could irrevocably damage the reputation and image of the Bahamas in the eyes of the world, which is now beginning to question the morality of keeping these sentient mammals in a captive environment for profit,” the letter said.