Further to previous report on the latest captures of dolphins from the wild in the Solomon Islands it appears that despite the international outcry over the governments turnaround on the export ban, plans are underway to allow dolphin exports to proceed.

This is a sorry decision which is based purely on financial gain. The Solomon Islands government has ignored international pleas to keep the previous export ban in place, stating that the sale of the dolphins will be good for the local economy, however it is a sad reflection on the value they put on the country’s wildlife. This is a case of a country bowing to growing demands from the marine park industry for animals to restock their dwindling supplies purely for financial profit, and is another indication that breeding rates in captivity are insufficient to meet requirements, which is why captures from the wild continue worldwide.

The Marine Connection has encouraged the Solomon Islands authorities to look at other methods of generating revenue via ethical and eco-tourism, however our pleas have been ignored, as obviously they feel that the islands stand more to gain financially from removing these animals from the wild, than protecting them in the wild, and are determined to continue despite the fact that no studies have been undertaken to ascertain the damage wild takes could have on the local dolphin population and without any thought being given to the effects a lifetime of captivity will have on those animals captured and those family members left behind in the wild.

In the meantime, we will continue to work with colleagues worldwide in attempts to persuade the government not to allow this to proceed for the sake the dolphins that frequent Solomon Islands waters and also for the repercussions this will undoubtedly have on the Solomon Islands image and future trading prospects in other areas of export.