Dolphin exporters had plans for 'water world'
Venezuelan wildlife group raises questions over export
Business July 23, 2004
Stabroek News
July 23, 2004
The buyers of Guyana's bottlenose dolphins had long-term plans to establish a 'water world' facility here, according to a report.
Nelson Garcia of FASIMAR, Mexico and Marlon Burke of Jamaica had allegedly sent a proposal to the government seeking endorsement of a project to set up a 'water world' fun park-type of facility in Guyana. At the same time, they sought permission for the capture of the dolphins and export of bottlenose dolphins to Mexico.
Meanwhile, a Venezuelan wildlife protection group has questioned the origins of the dolphins which were captured and is calling for an international investigation into Guyana's granting of permits for wildlife export with the possibility of sanctions, depending on the outcome of the inquiry.
In a document titled 'Proposal for Capturing, Training of Bottlenose Dolphin for Educational, Entertainment and Tourism Purposes, Garcia and Burke also asked for two Guyanese to be identified, who they would train in the handling and caring of dolphins for the proposed water park.
The proposal listed the benefits to Guyana as being the development of skills in capturing, caring and handling marine mammals and the eventual establishment of a water world facility in Guyana in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism and/or with resorts. Garcia's family owns 'Garcia Seals Circus' in Mexico, while Burke has 22 years experience in promotional activities including circuses.
And as more information surfaces about the illegal export of dolphins, Stabroek Business understands that at least one female dolphin died while being transported in a small boat.
According to a source in Venezuela: "One of the dolphins, a female, died because of mismanagement during capture. Those boats have not enough autonomy to travel to or from Guyana."
An article published by the Region in the city of Cumana, State of Sucre, on May 24, 2004 reported that several dolphins were confiscated by Venezuelan authorities and several persons were also detained.
The dolphins confiscated by the Venezuelan Coast Guard are believed to be those which left Guyana for Mexico. Those dolphins have reportedly ended up in a Venezuelan dolphinarium, Waterland Mundo Marino, located on the Margarita Island in northeastern Venezuela.
The Venezuela-based wildlife group Sociedad Ecological Venezolana Vida Marina (SEA VIDA) has asked the Venezuelan authorities to officially request a copy of the Non- Detrimental Finding of a study conducted by Rueben Charles on the dolphins, according to board members Jaime Bolanos and Auristela Villarroel. The wildlife body also contends that Guyana's dolphins may be migratory.
"If this is the case, both Venezuela and Guyana would share some stocks or populations, so any capture in Guyana could affect Venezuelan stocks," said SEA VIDA.
"In our opinion, the Venezuelan government must ask their counterparts in Guyana for a full investigation regarding the issue of the export permit...."
The organisation says taking into account that former director of the Wildlife Division Khalawan (only name)was dismissed and this "started... mutual accusations involving prominent public servants, we ask the Venezuelan ministries of Environment and Foreign Affairs to ask CITES [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora]... for a complete investigation on the way the permit was issued." And to "take the case for consideration at the next conference meeting of the parties, to be held...October in Bangkok, Thailand."
SEA VIDA also suggested that measures should be taken, based on the results of the investigation, to either ban or suspend Guyana from wildlife trading.
Khalawan was dismissed after it was found that he issued export permits for dolphins and other animals without permission from the Wildlife Management Authority.
Khalawan had stated that he received permission from Dr Roger Luncheon, head of the presidential secretariat but Luncheon denied giving such permission. Odinga Lumumba, presidential adviser on empowerment, who said he 'facilitated' the export of the dolphins, is not listed as a licensed exporter.
With regard to questions raised concerning the number of dolphins in Guyana's exclusive zone, the report issued by Rueben Charles explains the methodology of the non-detrimental study. An undated report seen by Stabroek Business titled 'Report on sightings of dolphins/estimation of population size' explained that several persons were interviewed to ascertain the population which was estimated at 5,533.
According to the report: "Since it is impossible to estimate the population size without launching a major research project, the author interviewed four captains of the artisanal drift siene vessels; seven captains of shrimp trawlers; the fleet manager of a trawling fleet and several fishermen. Care was taken to specify the characteristics of the bottlenose dolphin such as its snout and its size to establish identification."
Garcia and Burke, the principals of the export, also made two trips out to sea on vessels hired at Parika (Region Three), according to the report. On the first trip, a pod (bottlenose dolphins usually move in groups of 20 to 40) of an estimated 15 dolphins was seen off West Berbice and another of 26 was seen off Corentyne area on the second trip.
Export permits were given to export 25 dolphins each at a cost of US$20,000 but so far 11 dolphins have reportedly left.
Exporter Feezal Shaw has said that the operation of the system is not in keeping with legislation. He explained that since July 2003 he submitted applications to export to zoos but has received no response. Other exporters, he explained, were able to export 15 to 20 pairs of giant anteaters.