Captive Dolphin Opposition Rises

Thursday, April 22, 2004

Opposition to planned captive dolphin facilities in the Cayman Islands will increase significantly this week with the arrival here of several international experts on the subject.

Following a social evening at the Sunset House’s Sea Harvester Restaurant on Wednesday night, a presentation open to the public at John A Cumber Primary School in West Bay will take place on Thursday at 7 pm.

Thursday’s meeting will feature Marine Scientist Dr Naomi Rose of the Human Society of the United States, Diana McCauley, founder and CEO of the Jamaican Environmental Trust, and Caymanian world-record breaking freediver Tanya Streeter. Ms Streeter is the spokesperson for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society of the United Kingdom.

His Excellency the Governor Bruce Dinwiddy has also requested a meeting with the experts, which will be attended by the Leader of Government Business, Hon McKeeva Bush and Minister of Agriculture Hon Gilbert McLean.

Keep It Wild Cayman!, the group organising the presentations said they are pleased with the response that they have received so far. “It seems like a lot of people are taking an interest in this issue and are planning to attend,” said the organisation’s coordinator Juliet Austin. “We have also received a lot of support from the community, for example Foster’s Food Fair have provided us with refreshments.”

Caymanian businessman, Gene Thompson, one of the local people behind the dolphin facility planned near the Turtle Farm in West Bay, is unperturbed by the planned presentation. “They have their opinion and we have ours. We have taken note of it, but it will not deter us,” said Mr Thompson, adding that he does not intend to attend the meeting. “Our planned start date is 1 July and we will keep moving forward towards that.”

The guest speakers were also scheduled to meet with Mr Thompson, his partner Dale Crighton and others involved with the dolphin facility on Wednesday morning.

Mrs Austin is still holding out hope that something can be done to stop the Cayman Islands from holding dolphins in captivity, “If the Cayman Islands really is a democratic system of government, then the people will be heard,” she said.

Pointing out that it was not just an ethical issue, but environmental one, Mrs Austin explained how it has been proved that dolphin excretion can cause severe damage to coral that would adversely affect the diving and tourism industries.

“If it goes ahead, it will be the saddest day ever,” said Mrs Austin. “It will show that the Government has failed to listen to the voices of the people in the Cayman Islands.”

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