Good news for dolphins?

In September 2006 the United Nations launched the 2007 Year of the Dolphin initiative which aims to highlight the many dangers faced by dolphins at the hands of mankind. As a charity working for the protection and welfare of dolphins and whales worldwide, the Marine Connection was pleased to learn of the initiative, however the charity immediately had concerns over the inclusion of 'World of TUI' - a company which actively profits from selling excursions to captive dolphin facilities, as one of the main partners.

Marine Connection is well aware of the perils which threaten wild dolphins around the world and very much welcome any attempts to raise awareness about these issues. However the 'World of TUI' which incorporates several tour operators across Europe including Thomson Holidays, Portland Direct and First Choice in the UK, actively profits from selling excursions to captive dolphin facilities worldwide. One of the major threats to wild dolphins today is their direct capture and trade to supply marine parks - TUI UK alone sends its customers to over 20 facilities which hold captive dolphins. It is therefore an absolute contradiction for the 'World of TUI' to continue to profit from such facilities whilst at the same time publicising their work with other partners in the Year Of The Dolphin initiative to eliminate threats to wild dolphins!

It is shocking that others involved in Year of the Dolphin (UNEP/CMS/ACCOBAMS/ASCOBANS/UNESCO/WDCS) accepted TUI as one of the partners in such an important initiative given their continued profiting from the incarceration and display of captive dolphins. The Marine Connection believes that with the Year of the Dolphin being extended into 2008, TUI should be made to stand down as partners as their continued inclusion makes a travesty of what is otherwise an excellent initiative.

Click to read UN Press Release

The threat to wild dolphins from tour operators