18 Oct 2007 - Gland, Switzerland/Cambridge,
UK – Reports indicate that up to 30 live
dolphins have been airlifted from the Solomon
Islands in the Pacific to Dubai for use
in an aquatic water park.
Although the exact species is unknown,
they are likely to be Indo-Pacific bottlenose
dolphins.
WWF and TRAFFIC are extremely concerned
that the exported dolphins were not based
on sufficient science or data, and question
the export and the removal of any more dolphins
from the waters of the Solomon Islands until
a legitimate scientific assessment can be
undertaken.
These dolphins are included in Appendix
II of the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES), which requires that an exporting
country issue a scientifically-based finding
that the export is not detrimental to the
survival of the species in the wild.
“The export of these dolphins may be technically
legal, if appropriate permits were issued,"
said Dr Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF's
Global Species Programme.
"However, conservation isn’t an issue
of documents only. Without the appropriate
conservation assessment, both the import
and export are irresponsible and without
doubt, a conservation travesty.”
This recent export follows an international
outcry in 2003, when the Solomon Islands
exported another 28 dolphins, to Mexico.
According to WWF, the government of the
Solomon Islands signed a memorandum of understanding
in Mach 2007 under the Convention for the
Conservation of Migratory Species to conserve
all cetaceans, including dolphins, that
occur in the Pacific Islands region.
“We would welcome the opportunity to assist
the Solomon Islands in ensuring that scientifically-based
non-detriment findings are conducted, and
encourage other countries to provide financial
and technical support to the Solomon Islands
in this regard,” said James Compton, TRAFFIC.
The Solomon Islands joined CITES earlier
this year and is obligated to fully comply
with all CITES requirements. The United
Arab Emirates has been a CITES member since
11000.
Joanna Benn, Communications Manager
WWF Global Species Programme
Sabri Zain, Advocacy and Campaigns Director
TRAFFIC International
