Guest Comments by Lee-Ann Ford

Editor’s Note: The following is an edited version of a letter from Ford, the Hong Kong-based president of Linking Individuals for Nature Conservation (LINC), to Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

On behalf of various organizations, I’m writing to inform you of growing controversy about activities in the Solomon Islands by Ocean Park, one of Hong Kong’s theme parks.

The Solomon Islands has come under international scrutiny for continuing to allow the live-capture-for-export of dolphins for entertainment purposes. Conservation groups criticize this practice. So it’s deeply disappointing to hear that Ocean Park has sent representatives to the Solomon Islands.

According to the South China Morning Post newspaper, “Representatives from Ocean Park have been in talks with the government of the country, east of Papua New Guinea, to pay for a survey seen as critical to allowing the controversial trade of dolphins to continue.”

We view the live-dolphin trade in the Solomon Islands as exploitative and inhumane. Ocean Park’s role jeopardizes Hong Kong’s international reputation.

Much of the controversy results from the “drive” method of capture. Entire groups of the species are chased and forced into shallow waters by hired fishermen. Then capture specialists easily separate and remove the “showcase quality” dolphins, generally young females. Often this traumatic activity leaves the remaining animals, those who are too big, too small, blemished or nursing, with life-threatening injuries or conditions.

At a 2004 meeting in Taipei, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums passed a resolution condemning the capture of dolphins through drive-fisheries. As WAZA president Karen Sausman later specified: “Our Code of Practice addresses acquisition of animals… and specifically condemns cruel and non-selective methods of taking animals from the wild.”

We’re unaware of any guarantees that Ocean Park won’t participate in drive captures.

Mexico and the Philippines have allowed imports of live dolphins from the Solomon Islands, causing strong negative reactions from the global conservation community. In 2003, Mexico purchased 28 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, of which at least 12 have died. In 2006, the Mexican government banned all live imports of marine mammals and maintains that ban today. The Philippines does a “high-wire” act to protect its stand after allowing live-dolphin shipments in 2008 and 2009.

To prevent more misunderstanding and controversy, we respectfully request that Hong Kong impose a moratorium on the import of live Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins until evidence appears that all scientific and ethical standards have been met. We believe the Hong Kong authorities will demonstrate adequate concern for marine conservation.


Final Note: On May 10, Hong Kong newspapers reported that Ocean Park suddenly backed away from its plan to finance a study in the Solomon Islands that might have allowed it to buy and import wild dolphins.

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