UAE look set to sign deal with Solomon Islands

Solomon Island based Marine Mammal Education Centre (SIMMEC) director Robert Satu plans to make way for more live dolphin export to United Arab Emirates as the Solomon Islands sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Arab Emirates Government.

This comes only a month after SIMMEC exported 28 live dolphins to Palm Atlantis, Dubai. “This will be an achievement for the country because this industry will generate more income for our country and help boost the economy” Mr Satu said. He also hopes to find a fish market, as Solomon Islands could export fresh fish directly to hotels in Dubai. “Prices are very attractive and it is important Solomon Islands is part of this export business. If I achieve these deals I will be working with the local communities and in partnership with SIMMEC we can export their products direct to Dubai.”

Mr Satu will also be trying to persuade other Pacific Islands countries to support and get involved in such initiatives. “We will be visiting a number of big hotels in neighbouring Vanuatu, Fiji, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea to discuss and negotiate on the possibility of exporting live dolphins to them as we have in Dubai”.

Dubai is trying hard to promote the country as more attractive tourist destination and as such should think twice about the impact that further imports of wild caught dolphins will have on the country's international reputation. Dubai wants to be seen on the world travel stage as a exemplary holiday destination, but how can they promote themselves as such when not only are they taking animals for facilities in the country which were captured from the wild in the name of profit and entertainment, but are doing so in the knowledge that the Solomon Islands are now encouraging other neighbouring islands to follow their example and allow wild dolphin captures in their island waters for export?

The Marine Connection continue to make every effort to address these continued captures and the ongoing situation with various authorities in the UAE, UK and also CITES, updates will be posted on the site as further developments occur.