The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is appalled to have discovered that a $400 bounty has led to the capture and confinement of up to 200 dolphins, by local fishermen in the Solomon Islands, north of Australia.
Local fishermen have been rounding up animals by the dozen, which a foreign business group is rumored to be collecting and training for shipment overseas. A spokesperson for the Solomon Islands Civil Society Group has confirmed the number now stands at around 200 - the largest ever capture and a fifth of the total number of dolphins currently kept in captivity worldwide.
"This is an animal welfare tragedy and could well have a serious impact on the environment," said Ric OÃBarry, WSPAÃs Marine Mammal Specialist, "The taking of so many dolphins from one small area is unbelievably damaging to the local dolphins gene pool. We call on the government to take urgent action to stop this and to set the captive dolphins free."
According to local media reports, fisherman have been taking the dolphins from the water and holding them in small sea cages on the island of Gela, off the capital, Honiara. Many of those captured must travel for hours by open boat before reaching these cages; journeys that are excruciating for a water-borne creature, as its internal organs are slowly crushed by its immense weight.
As well as the questions surrounding the legality of this hunt, one captured dolphin has already been killed by a crocodile. WSPA experts expect that the death toll will rise from stress-induced illness, improper care and malnutrition as dolphins battle for the scarce food supply.
OÃBarry said, "Such a large number of animals is extremely difficult to manage, especially if thereÃs a lack of medicine, equipment and staff. It appears that the animals are in very crowded conditions, which is also a concern because this can lead to stress and aggression. It takes thousands of pounds of fish - per day - to feed so many dolphins, which indicates the likelihood that they will be going hungry." OÃBarry adds, "To WSPAÃs knowledge this has never happened in the Solomon Islands before. Given the special status of dolphins in the local culture, this is very worrying."
Dolphins have long been a cherished part of the Solomon Islands cultural heritage. Many of the animals are being taken from waters off the island of Malaita, where dolphin teeth are part of traditional bridal dowry ceremonies. In other areas, it is taboo to harm a dolphin, based on the ancient belief that humans with mystical powers could transform themselves into sea creatures.
WSPAÃs network of veterinarians and marine mammal rescue experts is on stand-by to advise the government on this crisis. The organization mobilizes at their website: http://www.dolphinproject.org/subdetail.cfm?menu_id=540&submenu_id=14787 people to write letters to the Solomon government to stop the catch of these dolphins.
