Mexican dolphin exports

Some time ago, the Marine Connection reported on the success that Mexican authorities have decided to approve new legislation banning the import and export of marine mammals (and primates) unless for scientific purposes. Unfortunately, the day previous to the approval of the legislation (25th January 2006) Mexico authorised the export of 30 dolphins to several different places - Cayman Islands, Jamaica and St. Maarten, British Virgin Isles and Uruguay.

Here is the update on the situation at each destination;

Cayman Islands
Despite the news reported that planning permission had been given for two dolphinariums in Grand Cayman there was still the hope that permission would not be granted to import 8 dolphins from Mexico due to the recent ban on imports and exports of dolphins from the country.

However disappointingly, the Marine Connection has recently learned that Mexico did in fact authorise the export of 30 dolphins the day before the ban came into effect, including two destined for Grand Cayman probably for the proposed Dolphin Cove Grand Cayman facility.

Click here to read the Marine Connection 'Letter to the Editor' which was published in the Cayman Net Newspaper on Wednesday 5 April 2006

Jamaica
Despite a poor track record in keeping dolphins, Dolphin Cove in Ochos Rios, Jamaica has also been put forward to receive five of the 30 dolphins exported from Mexico.

St Maarten
Despite the fact they currently have no dolphinariums, St Maarten plans to construct their first dolphinarium which will ultimately include 13 of the 30 dolphins that are planned to be exported from Mexico. It has not yet been confirmed whether authorisation has yet been given to build this dolphinarium but since the permits are valid only for 6 months from 26th January 2006, this gives the planners just 4 months to build the dolphinarium and import the dolphins according to the many conditions imposed upon them.

We will post further news on developments regarding exports from Mexico as this progresses.