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Not feeding wild dolphins contributes in its conservation
On March 11, 2009, a new public services announcement was released, which shows an animated dolphin saying "just stop feeding me!" The announcement was produced by government agencies along with private organizations in order to manifest the dangers associated with feeding wild dolphins by humans. As in many other species of wild animals, this action, besides being illegal, harms both animals and humans. In 1993, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of U.S.)´s Fisheries Service, prohibited the feeding of wild marine mammals under the Marine Mammals Protection Act (MMPA). However, the feeding of wild dolphins is still a frequent problem in certain hotspot areas in the southeast U.S., as evidenced by the numerous complaints from concerned citizens and, most recently, through videos uploaded to the website showing people feeding wild dolphins off Florida and South Carolina. Feeding wild dolphins, upsets their natural role as hunters and alters their normal wild behaviour harming the health and welfare of these animals. Furthermore, human-fed dolphins, are more likely to be damaged by boats, getting caught in fishing nets, ingesting harmful elements or be attacked by other predators such as sharks. At the same time, there are risks for humans who feed dolphins because those dolphins can be aggressive and even bite when seeking food. Besides, human-fed dolphins sometimes interfere with the activities of commercial and recreational fishing, taking the fishing bait and the catches, also generating conflicts with fishermen. The public service announcement can be viewed at www.dontfeedwilddolphins.org
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Export of live dolphins continues in Solomon Islands
Traditionally, hundreds of dolphins are caught each year in Solomon Islands to use its meat as food for local people. In addition, their teeth are used as traditional money and as ornaments. Solomon Islands is in Oceania and its territory consist of over 990 islands. Along with this hunting for domestic consumption, since 2003 live dolphins have been exported and this has since generated an international great discontent. Despite the continuous protests from the international community, the current government has decided to continue with the export of live dolphins, trying to set an upper limit of 100 individuals per year. This decision was announced at a public forum organized by the Ministry for Environment and Conservation on March 19th, which was attended by the main stakeholders to promote the export of dolphins as well as representatives of groups against this practice.
The forum generated an intense debate and there were accusations from both sides. The side of those who promote the export argued the activity generates a large amount of needed revenue for the country, especially at this time of economic recession. In contrast, the anti-export groups, argued the only way the country would be accepted by the international community is that the government carry out the population studies required by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) which the country has signed to.
Finally, both sides agreed that it is necessary to urgently conduct a research into the wild dolphin population to determine the number of individuals who compose it and thus develop a sustainable management plan.
Recently, between April 20 and 24, the 24º meeting of CITES Animals Committee, was held in Geneva, Switzerland. There, the Committee recommended that the annual export of live dolphins in Solomon Islands is limited to 10 individuals.
This recommendation will be formally reported to the Government of Solomon Islands, who must consider its implementation.
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