POD's UPDATE ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN DOLPHIN ISSUE

PE Oceanarium stands firm in its decision to restock its dolphin lake with the acquisition of further dolphins.

POD Supplies background History:
The Port Elizabeth Oceanarium has come under the spotlight in recent months, following their announcement of their decision to acquire a further 3 dolphins to restock their dolphin lake, after the deaths of 3 of their 5 dolphins.

Local anti-captivity group POD (Protect Our Dolphins) is strongly opposing the Oceanarium's decision and they are not alone. Supporting their campaign are

1) The Group for the Protection of Marine Mammals in Switzerland, their members and a 83,000 strong petition for the freedom of dolphins and whales
2) The Israeli Cetacean Freedom Group who advise that as in the UK the state of Israel has also closed Israel's two dolphinariums which were located in Tel-Aviv
3) Advocates for Animals from Edinburgh
4) The Orenda Wildlife Land Trust from Massachusetts
5) The People for Animal Rights in Germany which represents more than 120 German animal welfare and animal rights organisations

The following Institutions
1) The Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society in Bath
2) The Earth Island Institute in San Francisco
3) Zoocheck in Toronoto
4) The Humane Society of the United States in Washington
as well as many marine mammal scientists from around the world are assisting POD by supplying scientific research and background material, data and offering resources at their disposal and have all written to the Port Elizabeth Oceanarium as well as the Department of Sea Fisheries to voice their protest.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals which represents more than 350 member societies world wide and over 5 million members have written that "in addition to the serious animal welfare problems associated with these facilities, the educational value is highly questionable. Dolphinaria do not teach the public about dolphins, rather they teach how confined animals behave and teach disrespect for animals.

In South Africa, our own National Council of SPCAs wrote to the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism quoting their Policy Section 7, 7.10:
The SPCA is against the exhibition of dolphins in oceanaria
a) The behavioral needs of these animals are not met by conditions pertaining in oceanarium
b) Dolphins are highly social mammals. Capturing them can have a severely negative effect on
groups and schools in the ocean. Within oceanaria their complex, extended social grouping is
not possible
c) Compared to the ocean the oceanaria provide a bleak and barren environment for these highly intelligent and sensitive creatures.

What of the Governments of other countries?

1985 The state of Victoria, Australia banned the capture and display of
cetaceans
1991 Brazil enacted legislation making it illegal to keep marine mammals in
captivity (its last captive dolphin was released in march 1993)
1993 United Kingdom standards (adopted in 1990) were attached to the
existing 1981 Zoo Licensing Act. The new standards governed pool sizes
and made strict provisions regarding husbandry. They contributed to the
closure of all UK aquariums by 1993.
1994 Israel banned the import of dolphins for international trade and circus
purposes.
Australia banned the capture of dolphins
Bahamaian government refused to issue capture and export permits for
dolphins until a complete review was conducted, standards established,
and monitoring determined.
1998 Costa Rica no longer allows captive dolphin displays
Jamaica announced it is against the practice.
France announces it will not allow dolphins to be imported to a Dolphinarium

Additionally the Norway and Georgia have stated that keeping whales and dolphins in captivity is unethical.

The common thread amongst all these letters and government decisions is that it is unethical, immoral, unnecessary and cruel to keep dolphins in captivity.

Why the enormous emphasis on dolphins? They are wild, large brained mammals with complex social structures and placing them in an Oceanarium is the equivalent of placing a man in jail.

Despite all of the above and despite the South African Sea Fisheries Act which states it is illegal to kill, catch, attempt to kill or catch or disturb any dolphin or possess any dolphin, any part thereof or any product of a dolphin without the written authority of the Director-General of Environment Affairs, it seems that an exception has been made in the case of the Durban and Port Elizabeth Oceanariums which allows the continued display of dolphins.

In fact they may even be prepared to issue permits for the capture of wild dolphins as this is not in contravention of law in South Africa.

POD feels it is time South Africans make a stand for the dolphins as millions of people world wide have done in their countries, putting pressure on their governments to change the cruel laws that allow the capture and confinement of dolphins.

Recent Events
POD wrote to each individual member of the Board of Trustees of the Port Elizabeth Museum who made the decision to continue to keep and display dolphins at the Port Elizabeth Oceanarium, enclosing letters and documentation against captivity and asking them to reconsider their decision. On the 19 June we received the reply

We have retested our trustees' decision to acquire additional dolphins, following their receipt of your letter and enclosures, and we must advise you that all those attending yesterday's meeting are still in favour of our original resolution.

POD wrote to the Department of Sea Fisheries from whom the PE Oceanarium must acquire permits for the capture of wild dolphins and received the reply

Your association can be assured that Sea Fisheries will not issue any permits for the capture of wild dolphins unless we are satisfied that the conditions at the Oceanarium are of international standard.

In a later telephone discussion with Sea Fisheries it was disclosed that permits would/could be issued as it was not in contravention of the Laws of South Africa.

It is now obvious that the dolphins only saving grace will be for us to make a united stand and petition the Government of South Africa to change the Laws that allow the capture and display of dolphins in this country.

We need you to speak on behalf of the dolphins

As long and as loudly as is necessary for action to be action by our Government.

SAY NO TO DOLPHINS IN CAPTIVITY
SAY NO TO IMPORT/EXPORT/ALL TRADE IN DOLPHINS
SAY NO TO CAPTURE

Write to the Minister Environment Affairs and Tourism, Dr Pallo Jordan, P O Box 9154, Cape Town 8000 and ask him to intervene and introduce legislation making South Africa dolphin free. (fax +27-21-4653216)

OTHER ACTIONS:
Write to the Department of Sea Fisheries, attention Dr Monde Mayekiso, Private Bag X2, Roggebaai 8012 South Africa and ask them not to issue any permits to the Port Elizabeth Oceanarium for the capture of wild dolphins (fax +27-21-252920)
Start a petition, talk to your friends, register your NO vote to the capture and display of dolphins.

Become a member of POD - membership form follows

Start a paper petition and circulate to as many people and companies as possible.
- petition form follows - MAKE AS MANY COPIES AS YOU WANT

WE SAY NO TO CAPTIVITY IN SOUTH AFRICA

We, the undersigned hereby petition the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Dr Pallo Jordan to pass legislation in South Africa to end dolphin captivity. Besides the obvious disruptive effects this will have on the wild dolphins and the many documented cases of death resulting from capture, the National Council of SPCAs have documented they are totally opposed to the keeping of dolphins in captivity, whether captive bred or not and The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) have also spoken out against dolphins in captivity advising "in addition to serious animal welfare problems associated with these facilities (Oceanarium's) the educational value is highly questionable. Dolphinaria do not teach the public about dolphins, rather they teach how confined animals behave and teach disrespect for animals.

We petition the Department of Sea Fisheries not to issue the Port Elizabeth Oceanarium with any permits for the capture of wild dolphins as there are serious doubts regarding husbandry standards, staff qualifications and the condition of the Oceanarium.

We also petition the Mayor of Port Elizabeth and the Port Elizabeth City Council to do everything in their power to assist us in preventing the continued display of dolphins for entertainment and profit.

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PLEASE RETURN TO: POD, P O Box 15081 Emerald Hill 6011 South Africa

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