Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham suggested to the government in the House of Assembly on Monday that it may not be a wise decision to allow Kerzner International to develop and open a captive dolphin facility without completing the Phase III expansion of the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.
Mr. Ingraham’s comments came during debate on the Marine Mammals Bill, which would clear the way for the government to approve more facilities of this type to add to the three presently in operation in the country.
“When we were in office we turned down and said ‘No. You [can’t] have one in relation to Phase II. The government has now said, ‘Yes you can have one in respect to Phase III. Will they be allowed to operate a dolphin facility prior to the completion of Phase III?,” the former prime minister asked.
“Presumably, Mr. Speaker, the government has given Kerzner the appropriate green light to proceed with the assurance that it will use its majority in this place to act and put into effect appropriate legislation to regulate this facility.
“The provisions of this bill are not offensive in and of themselves and they no doubt compare very favourably to similar legislation existing in any number of countries in our region, including the United States of America.”
Leading debate on the bill was Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Local Government V. Alfred Gray, whose contribution came days after principals of the environmental group, Re-Earth, and The Bahamas Humane Society, raised concerns about the bill, saying it is cruel to keep dolphins in captivity.
But Minister Gray said, “It is no longer a question of whether we wish to have these facilities, but how we will regulate and manage them over the years. The need for legislation to regulate and monitor these facilities was recognized long ago. After many, many promises, we now have the legislation in hand.”
The bill prohibits the capture of marine mammals from Bahamian waters.
But Mr. Ingraham raised concerns about this particular provision of the proposed Act.
“I understand that such importation could have negative impact upon the resident population of dolphins, particularly if any of these dolphins be released intentionally or otherwise in The Bahamas,” he said.
“I do ask the government to reconsider its decision not to allow the capture of dolphins in The Bahamas. If you’re going to have the facility, it seems to me [that people should] have the Bahamian experience with Bahamian dolphins in captivity.”
The bill also prohibits the holding, exporting etc. of marine mammals without a license or permit from the Minister and provides for the appointment of marine mammals inspectors and their immunity from prosecution for acts in pursuance of their responsibilities under the Act.
In addition, it provides for the identification and prosecution of individuals in breach of the act; and provides for the detention of vehicles involved in breaches of the act.
The bill also allows for the disposal by the Minister of items forfeited under the act; provides for penalties for offenses; and empowers the making of regulations to give effect to the act.
“The regulations provide general protection for marine mammals and regulates the use of these mammals within The Bahamas,” Minister Gray explained. “They provide for the licensing of captive dolphin facilities and the rules under which such facilities can operate.”
He explained that the Captive Dolphin Facilities Regulations provide for: standardization of the behaviour, feeding and training of mammals in captivity; maintenance of food, health and nutrition and medical records; regulation of the quality of the environment; and submission to the Minister of annual reports of the operation of the facility and interactions with guests.
Minister Gray said the regulations are also intended to ensure the development of a programme for veterinary health care for the mammals, including clinical health care and a quarantine programme, and an educational programme for all guests.
Source: The Bahama Journal
