Panama - dolphin capture plans stopped

This morning the Marine Connection was made aware of a possible dolphin capture in the Central American country of Panama. Robin Friday of Ocean Embassy, Panama, had applied to the government for a permit to capture 80 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) for ‘scientific purposes’.

The situation was urgent as the permit was due for consideration by the Panamanian Government later today. The Marine Connection immediately sent a letter of concern to the Government highlighting our concerns over the capture and the possible implications this could have if it were allowed to proceed.

We requested the Government consider our comments and refuse the permit and we were delighted this eening to receive notification that the permit had been dismissed by the government. In fact opposition to the plans was so great that they did not even consider passing the permit.

This is a great precedent for Panama and other countries in the area. The Marine Connection applaud this decision by the Panamanian government and their stance on conservation and will be writing to congratulate them on this decision, and they should be highly praised for taking a firm stance against allowing this capture/trade in Panama and protecting the dolphins which frequent their waters.