Don´t Swim with Dolphins in Playa del Carmen

World Society for the Protection of Animals

Research done and written by Dr. Yolanda Alaniz Pasini for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)

Report on Captive Dolphinsin Mexico and Dominican Republic

Foreword.....................................................4

CHAPTER 1: DOLPHINARIA IN MEXICO

• ExhibitionandDisplay........................................7

• SwimWiththeDolphinsPrograms(SWTD).........9

• DolphinAssistedTherapy(DAT).......................10

• DolphinFacilities..............................................10

• CapturesinMexicoandothercountries...........13

• Dolphin Imports...............................................14

• Captive Born...................................................16

• MortalityinCaptivity.........................................17

• Travelshows....................................................18

• FacilitiesandHurricanes..................................19

CHAPTER 2: DOLPHINARIA IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

• DolphinFacilities..............................................21

• ManateePark..................................................22

• DolphinIsland..................................................24

• OceanWorld...................................................25

CHAPTER 3:LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS

I.InternationalInstruments

• ConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD).........29

• UnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSEA(UNCLOS).........................30

• ConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlora(CITES).........30

• CodeofConductforResponsibleFisheries(FAO).............................32

II.RegionalAgreements

• Convention for theProtectionandDevelopmentof the Marine Environment for the WiderCaribbean Region37 and the ProtocolConcerning Specially Protected Areas andWildlife(SPAWProtocol)..................................33

• CentralAmericaFreeTradeAgreement(CAFTA).........................................37

• NorthAmericaFreeTradeAgreement(NAFTA).........................................38

III.NationalLaws

• Mexico............................................................38

• Dominican Republic........................................41

CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

• Generalactivitiesandfeaturesoffacilities........45

• Imports............................................................46

• DomesticLaws................................................48

• References......................................................49

Annex I, II, III& IV..................................................50

INDEX

29

7

2145

Authoress: YolandaAlanizPasini

Editors: MarcelaVargasandSoledadPrado

Design and layout: InterGraphicDESIGNS

©WSPA2010Allrightsreserved.

Fore

wo

rd

WesterncultureisinherentlyfardifferentfromEasternorWestIndiannativebeliefs.

Whileinmostofmodernoccidentalculturesitisacommonplacetheuseofanimalsjustastoolsforanypurpose,eventhosemoreeccentricsorvainones,insomeancientphilosophiestohurtananimalisconsideredviolencebeyondjustification.Noendjustifiesaviolentmeanagainstanysentientbeing.Thiscosmovisioniscalled“Ahimsa”,andit isthevirtueofpracticingtheno-violence,whichbeginswiththeinnerdecisionofnotkillingorhurtasentientbeingbythought,wordoranyaction.IfA-himsisnottoharm,Himsaistheactofharming,beviolentorkill.

ThisbookdescribestheinherentHimsaofdolphinaris,both,inMexicoandDominicanRepublic,butrepresentativeofallcaptivity.Theresearchmadeinbothcountriesisafieldworkineveryoneofthefacilitiesandtheacuteobservationandcontactwithdolphins(andsealions).Facilitiesaredesignedandbuiltforhumansnotfordolphinsandalltheactivitiesinwhichdolphinsparticipateturnaroundandarefocusedonhumanentertainment.Humanbeing isthefocusofthethoughtsandplansofcompanies.Thecostinsuffering,pain,boring,illness,stereotypedbehaviour,stress,lonelinessanddeath, just vanishesbeneath thesurfacewhen tourists turnback the facilitieswithapictureasa“souvenir”.Dolphinsareleftintheirrealworldofsilenceandabandon.

IfweturnourthoughtstotheMayanworldandphilosophywewillfindtheinnerknowledge.Maybetheonlyandlegitimatesourceoftrueknowledge.

Therewas,andstill isasacredritualtorecognizetheinherentvalueoftheother,anintrinsicvaluewhichisequalofmine.Butitisnotaneverydayact.Withthisritualonepersonlooksattheother,andfromtheveryinsideofhisbeingsaystheMayanwords“in lak ech”,whichmeans,“Iamyourotheryou”.Whensaid it is implicitthat if IharmyouIwillharmmyself.Thentheotheranswers“alaken”whichmeans“andIamyourotherself”.

Onlywhenwerecognizethisintrinsicvalueofthesentientbeings,wewillbeabletofindthebeauty,freedom,andwarmnessofthosedolphinswhonowareenclosed.Forallofthemonlythewords“in lak ech”.

Ack

now

led

gem

ents

As anywork and research there are people notmentioned in it that remains behind the author’swork.

Sobehindmyworkandconvictionstherehasalwaysbeenthefirstsparkof“awareness”.Dr.JaneGoodallandherworks,wasthefirstlittlebutstrongspark.Again,thankyouforbeinghere.

Dr.ToniFrohoff,andDr.NaomiRosehavealwaysbeenlikeapartof“theteam”.Listeningquestionsandfortunatelycorrespondingwithmorequestionsstilltobeanswered.BillRossiteralwaysbeside,alwaysavailable,andalwayshavingafreshandcomfortingwords.Wesharemorethanwhatdistanceandtimeletusshare,forwhichIamreallythankful.

MycollegesLauraRojas,MercedesAnzuresandCeciliaVegahaveenrichedallthisworktroughtheyears.Theirpointsofviewaccurate,philosophical,andstrongareinmanywaysbetweenthelines.

IdelisaBoneli as thewonderful humanbeing, she is an important part in the study of facilities inDominicanRepublic.Notonlyherhospitality,butalsoherwonderfulworkaboutmarinemammalsmakesheramodelofwhatscienceandethicscandotogether.

Special thanksmustbe said toMarcelaVargas,whocoordinated this research,writing, and finaleditingofthiswork.Notalwaysunderthebestconditionsshemanagedtomakeitpossible.Myrecognition.

FinallytheWorldSocietyfortheProtectionofAnimals(WSPA)landedthisimportantefforttounderstandthatredspotsareinLatinAmericareferringtocaptivityofmarinemammals.Thismeansanunprecedentedworkthatmustberecognized.

ThisreportdescribestheconditionsofcaptivefacilitiesfordolphinsinMexicoandDominicanRepublic.

Mexico began captive activities in 1970 with thedisplayoftwodolphinsoutsideanewstoretoattracttheattentionofclients.Eversince,thecaptiveindustryhasgrownexponentially.

There is a growing trend of commercial activity indifferent parts of the world. The corporations withbusinessenterprisesbasedinMexico,representoneofthemostflourishingandproductiveindustrieswithan important and productive national and regionalmarket.

Thecommercialandempiricalcaptureofdolphinsandsea lions forpublicdisplay started in the seventies.Almost simultaneously, commercial tradewith othercountries began, mostly, but not exclusively, withthe Caribbean Islands. Since then, this commercialenterprisehasgrownwithoutanykindofregulation,tothepointthatitconcernsscientistsandenvironmentalgroups.

The exploitation of dolphins (and sea lions) beganwith entertainment shows, and today it continuesdisplaying animals doing circus acts, in which theysimulate dancing or singing, acrobatic turns andjumps, or pretend to “communicate” with trainersbyansweringquestionsand instructionsusingheadmovementsthatsimulatesayingyesorno.

The first exhibits consisted of small concrete tankswith benches for the public such as in the RomanForum. Later on, “Swim-with-Dolphins” programswereinitiated,whichresultedinamuchmorelucrativeenterprise, especially with tourism coming fromabroad.Forthis,biggerspaceswererequiredsoseapenswerebuiltinhightourist-trafficareas.

More recently, some dolphinariums have started toimplement new programs called “Dolphin AssistedTherapy” (DAT),wherepresumablydolphins’healingpowers are invoked to help specific ailments thatare hard to cure with common therapies. In lesserproportions, dolphins are used in travel shows andtakenmostlytoregionalfairs.Thisenterpriserequiresthat cetaceans be constantly transported by roadfrom town to town. Usually, the same travel circusalsocarriessealionsfordisplay,andevenwildbirdslikemacaws.Italsocametolightthatthesametravelcircusesdisplayandtransportsomespeciesofsharksinportablefishtanks.

Thisishowtheexploitationofdolphinswasdiversifiedtoincreaseprofits.

ActivitiesinDominicanRepublicbeganin1995,anditislikeanextensionoftheMexicanprocess.Wefoundthesametypeofconcretetanks,seapens,andthesame kind and evolution of activities, with the onlyexceptionofDAT,whichstillwasn’tpracticedontheisland.

Althoughthisreport focusesonthemanagementofcaptive dolphins in just two countries,webelieve itis representative of the captive industry formost ofLatinAmerica.Manyoftheproblems,uses,abuses,lack of legislation, administrative indifference andpoliticalnegligenceencounteredinthemanagementofdolphinariaandrelatedactivities,surelycouldalsobearealityinothercountries.

Though sea lions and other species are frequentlyfound in captivity, we focused on dolphins due totheirexclusivebehaviorwhenlivinginthewildmarineenvironment, forwhich theircaptivity represents themostaberrantfindings.

The methodology used was a first approach byreviewing literature and conversations with expertsinbothcountries.Officialdatawasalwaysobtainedunder the laws of information and transparency ofbothcountries.

FieldworkwasdoneinJanuary2009inMexicoandinFebruary/March2009inDominicanRepublic,visitingfacilities fromearly in themorning to lateafternoon,and having the opportunity to see the evolution ofactivities, flow and behavior of visitors, as well as

the behavior of dolphins through out the day. Thisinvolvedperiodsofinteractionand“restingtime”,aninvaluable intervaltoobservedolphinsandcomparetheirbehaviortowhenthereishumaninteraction.

A full legislative research was done, includinginternational and regional treaties. The local andnational legislations regardingmarinemammalsandfocusing on dolphins for Mexico and DominicanRepublicwereanalyzedaswell.Alllegalinstrumentsareherereported.

Asacentralstudy,thereisalegislativeanalysisofthereal legalmanagement and the findings concerningsome clear law violations, including loopholes inthe International treaties signed and ratified by thementionedcountrieswhichareusedbyadministrationsandenterprisestocontinuethetradeandexploitationofdolphins.

Finally, some recommendations to strengthen locallawsareprovided, inorderto improvethequalityoflifeofcaptivedolphinsandavoidillegalcapturesandtrade.CountriessuchasCubaandSolomonIslandsareinevitabletomentionduetothehugecapturesforexportscarriedoutinbothislands.

54

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Mexicohasbecomeoneofthemostimportantplacesofdolphintradeforcommercialpurposes.Sincetheseventiesthecaptiveindustrystartedtogrowwithoutcontrol, flourishing in the nineties based mostly onSWTDprograms.Nolaworregulationwasestablishedtotrytocontrolthisactivityuntil2002.

Duringmorethan30yearscompaniesseekingprofitunder legal exploitation of marine mammals (bothdolphinsandsea lions),couldopenlybuild facilities,capture,train,importorexportanimalswithlittleornoregulationandpermits.

Besides there was no surveillance on the numberof dolphins captured for each permit. For example,capture permits had a legal period of one year tocapture the dolphins described on it. But withoutsurveillance and regulations one permit could beused more than once to capture other dolphins.Thereforethereisnowaytotracehowmanydolphinswere really captured during this 30 year period offlourishingactivity.Highmortalitiesaswellasprimitiveand brutal methods of capture and transport have

been documented by researchers, but still the realmagnitudeofthedamagetoindividualdolphinsandtheimpactonwildpopulationsremainsunknown1.

Exhibition and Display

Display of captive dolphins started in the earlyseventies with 2 dolphins exhibited outside asupermarket toattract theattentionofclients.Thenthe first three facilities started todisplaydolphins inMexicoCity.Concretesmalltankswerethefirsttypeofconstructionandcircusshowswerethefirstactivitiestoexploitanimals.

Ever since, the captive industry grew exponentiallyhaving. Now holding at least 260 dolphins officiallyregisteredin21facilitiesand2travelshows,belongingto one company only. The features of each facilityaccording to Couquiad2, and modified by Alaniz& Rojas, include the so called natural or artificialenvironment,seeTable13.

CHAPTER 1:DOLPHINARIA IN MEXICO

1AcasusoSignoretFrancisco(1981).Reporte de los Hallazgos Patológicos en diez delfines (Tursiops truncatus).TesisparaobtenerelTítulodeMédicoVeterinarioZootecnista,Fac.deVeterinaria,UNAM,México.2Couquiad,Laurence(2005).A survey of environments of cetacean in human care.AquaticMammals31(3).3AlanizYolanda,LauraRojas(2007).DELFINARIOS.México:AGTEditor-Comarino(p.72-74).


76 CHAPTER 1: DOLPHINARIA IN MEXICO

Aragon Facility in Mexico City.

Thefirstwaytoexploitdolphinswasaregularcircusshowinsmallconcretetanks,activitythat lastedformorethan20years.

Ingeneralterms,theyareveryprecariousfacilities,inwhichtwoorthreedolphinswithtwomarinesealions,andsometimesclownsthatleadtheshow,generallydisplaya standardspectacle thatconsistsof circusacts, based on conditioning. Dolphins perform theshowfromonetothreetimesaday,dependingontheattendingpublic.Theshowconsistsofjumps,turns,swimwithhoops,oruseofsunglasses.Thoughthisisthefirstactivityitistheleastprofitable.Pricesgofrom$3to$8.5USDperperson.

Dolphin show in Mexico City (Atlantis).

Picture session with dolphins after the showAragon facility, Mexico City.

After the show people can take a picture with thedolphins for an extra fee. Dolphins jump on theconcrete platform as many times as requested bytrainers and stay still (asmuchas they can) for thepicture. Usually dolphins make three or four dailyshowsduringweekendsandholidays.FromMondaythrough Friday, school students are taken to thedolphinshowsatspecialrates.

Swim With The Dolphins Programs (SWTD)

DuringtheninetiestheSwimwiththeDolphinsProgramsemergedandhasbecome themostproductiveandthemostpracticedactivityinallfacilities.

Usuallyitisdonewithtwoorthreedolphinsbysessionandupto15-20people.Regularlyfacilitiessellthreetypesof interactionwithdolphinsanddependingonthe type and time that the public remains with thedolphinsisthecosttopay.Inthesesessionspeopleentertheconfinementonplatformsspeciallydesignedfor it, or by going into shallow parts of the pools,wheretouristsgenerallyreceiveanexplanationoftheanatomicalcharacteristicsoftheanimal,suchasthefinsorspiracle.

Afterreceivinginstructionsfromtrainers,dolphinsshowtheirbodypartsduringtheshowandthen,theso-calledSwimwith theDolphins takesplace. It consistsof aseriesofbehaviorswheredolphinstouchpeople,jumpoverthem,anddootherthingslikethe“foot-push”.

Table 1

ClassificationoffacilitiesinMexicoaccordingtothetypeofinstallation,naturalorartificialenvironment,environmentalenrichment,geometricshapeoftheenclosuresandsterileenvironment.

4Thoughthisfacilityisnolongeroperating,itisincludedbecausetheseapenstillremainsasawitnessofhurricane“Marty”in2003,whichcostthelifeof5dolphinssince7wereleftintheseapenduringthehurricane.Authoritiestransportedtheremaining2dolphinstoNuevoVallarta.5Mahahualfacilitywasdestroyedbyahurricanein2007,andisnolongeroperating.

Type of facilityFacility and

location

Minimal environmental

enrichment

Geometric shape of enclosures

Sterile environment

Artifi cial withSeat Rows

1.Atlantis,DF2.Aragón,DF3.SixFlags,DF4.LaFeria,DF5.CICI,Acapulco6.MundoMarino,Guadalajara7.SeaLifeParkNuevoVallarta8.CentrodeInteracciónMarina,Sonora

NoNoNoNoNoNo

No

No

YesYesYesYesYesYes

Yes

Yes

YesYesYesYesYesYes

Yes

Yes

Artifi cial withno seat rows

1.DolphinAdventuresI,Vallarta2.InteractiveAquarium,Cancún3.AletaBay,Q.Roo4.PuertoAventuras,Q.Roo5.IxtapaZihuatanejo,Gro.6.CaboDolphins,BCS

No

No

NoNo

No

No

Yes

Yes

YesYes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

YesYes

Yes

Yes

Natural sea pen

1.LaPaz,BCS42.Atlántida,Nizuc,Q.Roo3.Atlantida,Cozumel4.VillaPirata,I.Mujeres5.Chankaanab,Cozumel6.Mahahual,Q.Roo5

YesYes

YesYesYes

Yes

YesYes

YesYesYes

Yes

NoNo

NoNoNo

No

Semi naturalInterior sea pen

1.Xcaret2.XelHa3.D.AdventuresII,Vallarta

NoNoNo

YesYesYes

NoNoNo

Source:Alaniz&Rojas.DELFINARIOS.AGT.Comarino.

CHAPTER 1: DOLPHINARIA IN MEXICOCHAPTER 1: DOLPHINARIA IN MEXICO 98


The“foot-push”consistsofadolphinpushingatourist’sfeetwithspeedbyusingthesnout,andthenitletsgoof the tourist when instructed by the trainer. Theseactivitiescanincludeavideoandphotoofthepersonwiththedolphin,forwhichakissofthedolphininthefaceofthetouristissimulated.Pricesforthisactivity

SWTD program in Dolphin Adventures, Nuevo Vallarta.

varydependingonthesitewherethe facility is.Themostexpensiveactivitiestakeplaceintouristyzones,suchasCancunorPuertoVallarta,wheretouristspayfrom$100to$180USDperperson,dependingonofthekindofactivity: interactive,SWTD,or trainer-for-oneday.PricesarelowerincitieslikeMexico.

Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT)

This activity began inMexico in the early 90’s withthecompanyCONVIMAR.Itiscarriedoutinconcretetanksanddolphinsarealsoexploitedwithperformingshows as a complementary activity. Sessions arecommonly every day for twoweeks and last about15 minutes. The industry claims this contact withdolphins can heal or at least improve the conditionof sick people, especially those with autism, downsyndrome,bulimia,anorexia,depression,andanxiety,attentiondeficit,hyperactivity,andsleepingdisorders.Theaveragecostofatherapyofthistypeisof$120to$150USDpersession.

In spite of the propagation of this activity, there isno conclusive data on the effectiveness of thesetherapies. A detailed methodological study of theprotocolsoftheseprogramsdemonstratesthattheyviolate several important methodological criteria,whichputsinquestiontheirscientificlegitimacy6.

Nose lesions of a dolphin in Nuevo Vallarta.

Dolphin Facilities

In Mexico there are currently 21 operating facilitiesthatholddolphinsfordisplay.Thereisalsoacompanydevotedtotravelingshows,alloverthecountry7.

Inthisreportwestudiedaspectssuchasthenumberof dolphins held in captivity, their origin either bycapture, import, or born captive, but also theirqualityof lifeandthehandlingofanimalsbydisplaycompanies. Important discoveries are noted in themortalitydescription.

Thetwomaincompanies,DolphinDiscoveryandViaDelphi, together hold 143 captive dolphins, whichrepresent57%ofthetotal.DolphinDiscoveryon itsown holds 83 dolphins in 4 facilities, representing32%ofallcaptivedolphinsinMexico8.

Dolphinaris(formerParkNizuc/Wetn’Wild)displays38dolphinsintwofacilitiesatCancunandCozumel,representing15%ofthetotal.

6Marino,LoriandLilienfield,S.(1998).Dolphin Assisted Therapy: fl awed data, fl awed conclusions.Anthrozoos,11(4),194-2000.7AlanizYolanda,RojasLaura(2007).DELFINARIOS.Mexico:AGTEditor.8SISI.SEMARNAT.Folio137608.January,2009.

InNuevoVallartawefound21dolphinsintwofacilitiesvery close to one another, belonging to Dolphin

Table 2

CompaniesandfacilitiesthatcurrentlyholddolphinsinMexico,withtotalpercentages2008.

Companies and Facilities No. of Dolphins Percentage %

Dolphin DiscoveryDD. Aventuras DiscoveryDD. CozumelDDI. MujeresDD. Pto Aventuras

836222332

32

Via DelphiLos CabosXcaretVia Delphi DreamXel-Ha

681236614

26

DolphinarisD. CozumelD. Cancun

391623

15

Dolphin Adventures 21 8

ConvimarAtlantisAragonFerias IIIConvimar

153237

6

Delfi niti Ixtapa 12 4

Delfi nes Interactivos 8 3

Centro Guadalajara 6 2

Operadora Nal de Parques Recreativos

4

Centro Guaymas 2 1

Six Flags 2 1

Total 260 100

Source:SISI.Folio137608.January,2009.

Adventures.Thiscompanyrepresents8%ofthetotal.(SeeTable2).


CHAPTER 1: DOLPHINARIA IN MEXICOCHAPTER 1: DOLPHINARIA IN MEXICO 1110

InGraphic1wecannoticetheimportanceofthebigcompaniescomparedwithsmallones.Bigcompanieslike Dolphin Discovery, Via Delphi, Dolphinaris and

Dolphin Adventure, all located in coastal touristyzonesholdtogether211ofthetotalregisteredcaptivedolphins,with81%ofthebusinessprofit.

83

Dol

phi

n D

isco

very

Via

Del

phi

Dol

phi

naris

Dol

phi

n A

dve

ntur

e

Con

vim

ar

Del

finiti

Ixta

pa

Del

fines

Inte

ract

ivos

Gua

dal

ajar

a

Op

. Nac

iona

l

Gua

ymas

Six

Fla

gs

68

39

2115

12

86

4 2 2

Number of Dolphinby Company

Mexico, 2009.

Source:Table1.Source:SISI.Folio137608.January2009.

Graphic 1Numberofdolphinsbycompany,Mexico2009.

Graphic 2LivedolphinsbyoriginreportedinMexico,2008.

Captures in Mexico and Other Countries

Accordingtothecountryoforigin161dolphinswerecapturedinMexicanwatersorbornincaptivity;73ofliving dolphinswere captured in Cuba; 19 dolphinssurvivefromanimportof28dolphinsfromtheSolomonIslandsin2003,and7dolphinswereimportedfromJapan(seegraphic2).

Nevertheless many of the dolphins registered ascapturedinMexico,arebornincaptivity,orreportedas so. Born captive dolphins are less than 10% of

the reported total, even if the mother comes fromelsewhere,suchas theSolomon Islands,aswewillseelater.

In thesameway7%ofSolomon livingdolphinsdonot represent therealnumberofdolphinsthatwereimportedinMexico.Thisshowsthehighmortalityofthespecies,since43%havediedsincetheimportinJuly2003(seegraphic2).

Dolphins by Origin %Mexico, 2008Mexico

50%

Japan 3%Captive Born

10%

Solomon10%

Cuba27%


1312 CHAPTER 1: DOLPHINARIA IN MEXICOCHAPTER 1: DOLPHINARIA IN MEXICO

Dolphin Imports

Althoughwehave found importsas farbackas theseventies,therearenotreliableregistriesofthistypeoftrade.Theavailableonesarenotclearinthedatathat they provide. Nevertheless, it can be said thatthe immensemajorityofdolphin importscomefromCuba.

Ingraphic3itispossibletoappreciatethedetailsoftheimportsmadefrom1995toJanuary2006,whencommercialimportsandexportsofmarinemammalswasprohibited.

Forthisperiod79%oftheimportscamefromCuba,totalling147dolphins;followedbytheSolomonIslandswith28cetaceansinonlyoneshipment,representing

14% of the total and making it the single mostnumerousimportinthehistoryofthedolphinaria.

InthirdplacearethedolphinimportsfromJapanwith11 animals in 2 shipments,which finally represents6%of the total. 2belugas imported fromRussia in1996,represents1%ofthetotal.

Ithasbeenacommonpractice tocapturedolphinsfrom the wild in Mexican or Cuban waters to traintheminMexicoandreexportthemtoothercountries,mostlytoCaribbeanislands.

Ingraphic3thereisthepercentajeofdolphinimportsbycountryofcapture.

Import of Dolphins to Mexico by Country of Origin %1995 - 2006

Source:EnvironmentalOfficeMexico.

Source:DatatakenandadaptedfromAlanizandRojas.DELFINARIOS.Mexico:AGTEditor.

Graphic 3Dolphinimportsbycountryoforigin1995-20069.

Graphic 4NumberofdolphinsimportedinMexico1996-2006.

9OfficialanswersunderTransparencyLawnumbers:1600010703,1600297205,00016000298005,and0001600016206.SemarnattoCOMARINO.(Alaniz&Rojas,Opcit).10Alaniz&Rojas.DELFINARIOS.Opcit.11Rose,Naomi,Farinato(2009).TheCaseAgainstMarineMammalsinCaptivity.FourthEdition.

100

80

60

40

20

0

Per

cent

age

Cuba Solomon Japan Russia

Withthenewbanonimports,exportsandre-exportsof marine mammals, published in January 2006,importsstopped.Thenewlawonlypermitsimportforscientific purposes. So far no facility has submitteda permit to import live animals for these purposes,but rather is lobbyingtheMexicanCongress tobanthelaws,boththeonethatprohibitscapturesandthebillprohibitingimports.TherealstruggletakesplaceattheSenatewhereimportantcompanieshavebeenarguing that these laws are affecting the businessnegatively.

Wecanclearlyseethataftercaptureswerebannedin2002, imports started togrow,exposing the factthat nomatter how successful captive breeding is,the captive industry still depends on live captures10(seegraphic3).Thisfacthastobecorrelatedwiththemortalitycausesanalyzed lateron thispaper,whichdemonstrates that a huge percentage of deathsare due to inadequatemanagement and correlateddiseases followed by stress, especially chronicstress11.

Number of Imported Dolphins 1996 - 2006. Mexico.

Year

Number

4

13 15 10 10

14

38

26 29

618


1514

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

CHAPTER 1: DOLPHINARIA IN MEXICOCHAPTER 1: DOLPHINARIA IN MEXICO

Captive Born

Due to the conditions of captivity, captive breedinghad been impossible in Mexico, and there was nointerest in it because captures and imports were acommonpractice,withoutlegalproblemsoranykindofsurveillance,sodolphinswereeasilyreplaceable.Before 2000 only two captive born dolphins weresucesfullybred.Aftercaptureswerebannedin2002,and imports in 2006, available data shows that thecaptiveindustryhadtomakeanefforttoimprovetheconditionsof facilities,both tanksandseapens, toimprovethequalityoflifeinallwayspossiblewiththeobjectiveofhavingsuccesfulbreeding.

Graphic 5 shows the number of dolphins reportedasbornincaptivitysince2000uptoOctober2008.Breeding is more succesful in larger and betterconditions provided by some facilities such asDolphinDiscovery,ViaDelphi,orXcaret inQuintanaRoo State; which have taken special measures toimprovecaptivebreeding.GenerallyfemaleschosenforbreedingarenotexploitedwithSWTDprograms,oranycommercialhumaninteraction.

Source:AlanizYolanda,RojasLaura.DELFINARIOS.AGTEditor,2007Mexico.

Graphic 5NumberofcaptiveborndolphinsinMexico2000-2008.

2000 2002 2004 20062001 2003 2005 2007 2008

0

2

6

4

8

10

12

14

16

Mortality in Captivity

Ofthetotalregistereddeathsduringthelast8years,wecanfindclearordiscerniblecausesofdeath.Thefirstplaceisoccupiedbypneumonias,with20deaths(8%ofthetotal).Thesecondcauseissepticemiaandendotoxicshockwith14.6%ofthedeaths.Bothcausesrepresentdeathbyinfectioussufferings,respiratoryordigestivecollapse;altogetherrepresenting35%ofthedeaths.Similarlywefinddeathsduetomiopatyandstressat14.6%.

The third cause of death is traumatism andsuffocation. Accidents like asphyxia, skull fractures,orpolitraumatismoccupy the12.5%of thedeaths,making them the third cause of officially registereddeaths.

Cardiacandhepaticdiseaserepresents12.6%ofalldeaths,withoutspecifyingthebasicillnessbehindthefailure.

Infifthplacearecausessuchas intestinalorgastricobstructionbystrangebodies,orgastricperforation.Accordingtothedataobtainedintheresearchthesediseasesarepreventableundersuitableandhumanehandling.Thesetypesofdeathsarehigherontravelingshows.

Neurogenicshockisthesixthcausesumming12.4%ofdeaths.Inabsenceofamoreaccuratediagnosisof

thebasediseasethatbringsanimalstoaneurogenicshock,wethinkofanintensepainsuchasagastriculcer,intestinalperforation,peritonitis,oratraumatism;tomentionthosethatweknowarefrequentincaptivedolphins.

Finally,only4.2%ofdeathscouldberelatedtoageandsenility.

Theanalysisofthecausesofdeathshowsthatmostdeathsarerelatedtostress,infection,andirresponsibleor bad handling. The stress of captivity causesinmunosupresionthatcanleadtothedevelopmentofthistypeofsufferingandthefatalevolution1213.

Ontheotherhand, thestudyofmortality inevitablyshowssufferingcausedoraggravatedbystress,suchasgastriculcersandgastritis.

We found stress underlies in practically 50% ofdolphin deaths in captivity. Preventable deathslike the obstruction of digestive routes by strangebodies,traumatism,andaccidentssuchasasphyxia,represent almost one fifth of total deaths. Finally,deathbyhipovolemicshockdoesnotclarifyifcauseswere lossof liquidsandelectrolytes in thedigestivetractorhemorrhage,butitdoesindicateirresponsiblehandling14.

12RoseandFarinato(2009).ThecaseAgainstMarineMammalsinCaptivity.HSUS-WSPAThirdEdition.13Frohoff,T.G.(2000).BehavioralIndicatorsofstressinodontocetesduringinteractionswithhumans:Apreliminaryreviewanddiscussion.InternationalWhalingCommissionScientificCommittee.SC/52/WW2.22.14AlanizYolanda,RojasLaura(2007).DELFINARIOS.Mexico:AGT.COMARINO(p.57-66).



Sources:www.sisi.gob.mx.Folios00016000259305,000160297905,0001600019707,0001600019206,0001600019606,001600054706,0001600043006.Takenfrom:AlanizYolanda,RojasLaura(2007).

DELFINARIOS.Mexico:AGTEditor.

Graphic 6CausesofdeathofcaptivedolphinsinMexico1997-2005.

0

5

10

15

20

25

Pne

umon

ia

Sep

sis

Myo

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isS

offo

catio

n

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eart

Dis

ease

Gas

tric

O

bst

ruct

ion

Sen

ility

Travel Shows

Traveling shows are still permitted though onlyone or two companies use dolphins. It has beendemonstratedthattransportisthemoststressfulanddangeroustimeforthehealthandlifeofdolphins.

Dolphin deaths are frequent in traveling shows.Registers show dolphins can die as soon as twoweeksoras lateassixmonthsafter itbeginstobemovedaroundfortravelingshows15.

Causes of registered deaths go from instant deathduetoacrashofaterrestrialvehicle,suchastheonereported in Cali, Colombia where 2 dolphins werebeing transported; togastriculcerandheart failure,waterinlungs(drowning),stomachobstruction(therewasacaseof1.8kilogramsoftreeleavesandplasticbags),pneumonia,peritonitisandendocarditis16.

15Alaniz&Rojas(2007).DELFINARIOS.(p.71-76).16Alaniz&Rojas,Opcit(p.82).

Facilities and Hurricanes

Besides the mentioned problems that occur indolphinariums, there isanemerging issuerelatedtobuilding facilities in hurricane paths, which causesseveredestructiontodolphinfacilities.Theincrementin frequency, intensity anddurationof thehurricaneseason has damaged many oceanariums anddolphinariums.

Suchisthecaseofhurricane“Marty”hittingLaPaz,BajaCaliforniaSurin2003;“Emily”affectingthecoastsof Quintana Roo in July 2005; “Katrina”, in August2005, totally destroyed the Gulfport oceanariumcausing the loss of several dolphins and sea lions

Destruction of sea pen in Cozumel after Hurricane “Wilma”.

thatwerelaterrescued;“Wilma”poundedthecoastsofQuintanaRooforthreedaysanddestroyedthreeofthefivedolphinariumsbuiltunderitsdirectpathinOctober2006.

Acommonelementinthecasesdescribedaboveisthatthesefacilitieswerenotabletoshelterallanimalsunder theircare from thehurricane, leaving them inexposed pens without any protection whatsoever.Thishascausedthelossanddeathofmanyanimals,manyofwhichhavenotbeenproperlyreportedtotheauthorities.



20


Dolphin Facilities

In Dominican Republic two companies own threedolphin facilities. Officially there are 24 dolphins inall three of them, distributed as follows: 2 dolphins

CHAPTER 2:DOLPHINARIA INDOMINICAN REPUBLIC

17DireccióndeBiodiversidadyVidaSilvestre.Informesobredelfines.SecretariadeEstadodeMedioAmbienteyRecursosNaturales.(DataobtainedtroughtheOfficeofAccessofinformationandtheLawofTransparencyonMarch19,2009).

Accordingtoofficialdataalldolphinswereimported,exceptforonecaptiveborn(seegraphic8).

Graphic 7

0

5

10

15

20

Ocean World Dolphin Island Manati

Num

ber

of d

olp

hins

Number of Dolphins by FacilityDominican Republic 2009

CHAPTER 2: DOLPHINARIA IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 21

inManateeParkBavaro,6inDolphinIsland,and16animalsinOceanWorld17.

Source:DireccióndeBiodiversidadyVidaSilvestreenRepúblicaDominicana.March2009.

Graphic 8DolphinsbyCountryofOrigininDominicanRepublic2009.

Dolphins by Country of Origin Official Data

Cuba57%

Honduras25%

?14%

Capt born4%

Nevertheless,thedataonthefacilities’websites,aswell as the dolphinswe found during our fieldworkdifferfromtheonesofficiallyreported.

Theyare:“Parques Tropicales S.A” owner of:

A. Manatee Park

Located in Bavaro, Punta Cana, northeast of thecountry, considered an important touristy zone, thisfacilitycurrentlyholds5dolphinsin3concretetanks.Themainpool is rectangularwithaplatform for theshowandtheSWTDprograms.Thereareseatrows

on2sidesofthestagewitharooftoprotectthepublicfromthesun.Theotherpoolsaresmallerandsquare.Theshowcapacityisof500visitors.

Itbeganactivities in1995,afterapermit tocapturetendolphins fromDominicanwaters.ManateeParkcapturedtwodolphinsinMarch1996aroundthecoastofPuertoPlata, in theAtlanticOcean.TheNationalAquariumandthemarineguardsparticipated in thecapture.

But since July 1996 by decreeNo 233-96, Art 22,captureswereprohibitedandasa result thepermitwas invalidated, the fate of the 2 dolphins remainsunknown18.

OnNovember 1996Manatee Park applied to importfourdolphinscapturedinCubanwaterstobeusedfordisplayandtheSwimwiththeDolphinsPrograms.

In2002ManateeParkcapturedseventoeightdolphinsfromtheNationalEastPark19.By2006,threedolphinswereremainingandby2009,onlytwodolphinsremain.

Duringthestandardshowdolphinsperformcircusacts,asseeninotherfacilities.Butwedidfindanewactcalled“dancing”,wheretwodolphinsswimtogetherchesttochestasshowninthepicture.

During our visit20 to the thematic parkwe found twodolphins:a17yearoldmalenamed“Cain”,anda19yearoldfemalenamed“Lissette”,both importedformCuba.

18FUNDEMAR(Febrero2008).Informe Los Delfines En Cautiverio En República Dominicana.Borrador.19FUNDEMAR(2008).Opcit.20All3facilitieswerevisitedduringfieldworkdonefromFebruary28toMarch2nd,2009.

“Cain” staying pointing towards the corner for hours, February 2006.

Dolphin “dancing” at Manatee Park.

Dolphin “Cain” staring at gate in Manatee Park 2009.


CHAPTER 2: DOLPHINARIA IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 2322

During“resting”time,whendolphinsarealonewithoutinteraction,“Cain”showedstereotypedbehavior;hewouldswimonlytoonecorneroftheconcretetankandstaywithitsnosepointingtowardsit,immovableforalongtime.Thenitwouldgotothebottomofthetank,orlookthroughametalfence,finallygoingbacktothecorner.

Whilethemaledolphindidnotinteractwiththefemaledolphin, “Lissette”would swim in circles clockwise.Nointeractionbetweenthemwasobserved.

ThetwodolphinsparticipateintheSWTDprogramsinteractingwithupto15peopleandonlyonetrainersupervising.Adultsandchildrenparticipatetogether.


SWTD session at Manatee Park 2009. SWDT at Manatee Park in 2006. Photo courtesy of FUNDEMAR.

SWTD session at Dolphin Island, note the dominant attitude of the man over the dolphin.

Ocean World Company. Picture courtesy of FUNDEMAR.

Sea lions looking at the public in Dolphin Island.

SWTD at Dolphin Island, February 2009.

B. Dolphin Island

LocatedinBavaro,PuntaCana,intheHigueyProvincenortheastoftheisland.ThisfacilityislocatedinsidetheBarceloHotelcomplex,andbothBarceloandParquesTropicalesareownedbySpanishpeople21.Itstartedactivitiesin2005,withfourdolphinstransportedfromManateePark.

According to official data reported to Dominicanofficers,Dolphin Island currently holds 4 dolphins22,whilewefound5animalsintwoseapensinamarineplatformnearthebeach.AlldolphinsarereportedascapturedinCubanwaters.Theyare3malesnamed“Javier”,“Toni”,and“Juancho”;and2femalescalled“Sasha”and“Mary”.

To get to the facility touristsmust take a companyboatwithfullcapacityfor20people.Thevisitorsaretransported to theseapen,both theoneswhowillswimwiththedolphinsandthoseaccompanyingthatobserveandtakepictures.

Thesquareseapen(80x80meters) isdividedin2bigpensholding2and3dolphinsrespectively.Therearealso3or4smallpenswith3sealions,3mantas,and5sharks.Allenclosuresaresquare.

The20peopleonboatareintheSWTDprogramortakingpictures.Theaverageperboat is2-3peopledonotgointothewater,sotheother17-18gotointotheseapenwiththedolphins.

Another boat arrives 15-20 minutes later with 20peoplewhojumpintotheotherseapen.

Simultaneously, thereare17peoplewith2dolphinsand19intheontheotherpenwith3dolphins.

WeobservedregularSWTDactivities,notingthatmeninteractmoreaggressivethanwomendo(seepictureshowingamanputtinghishandondolphin’sback).

21FUNDEMAR(2008).InformeLos Delfines En Cautiverio En República Dominicana.Borrador.22DireccióndeBiodiversidadyVidaSilvestre.Informesobredelfines.SecretariadeEstadodeMedioAmbienteyRecursosNaturales.(DataobtainedtroughtheOfficeofAccessofinformationandtheLawofTransparencyonMarch19,2009). 23FUNDEMAR(2008).Los Delfines En Cautiverio En Republica Dominicana.Informeborrador.

Inordertogetasmanyswimmersaspossible,therewasathirdboatwithanother20peoplearriving,whilesome of the swimmers where still snorkeling withsharksorjumpingoutofthewater.

Soforsomeminutestherewheremorethan60peoplebothontheplatformorinsidethepens,allscreamingorcallingthedolphins,whilesealionslookedcuriouslyoutside their enclosurewith no one interactingwiththem.

Having18-20peopleinjustoneseapenwith2or3dolphinsmeansarealinvasionoftheirpen.Dolphinsareforcedtoswimnearthepeoplehavingeveryonetouching them and after the swim dolphins “kiss”someofthetouristsforapicture.

More recently this facility started the activity of“snorkelingwithdolphins”becauseofthesuccess

among tourists of “snorkelingwith sharks”. It takesplace after the controlled interaction with dolphins.Tourists can snorkel by themselves while trainersreceiveanewgroupoftourists.

C. Ocean World Company

Theyopenedafacilityin2004atCofresí,PuertoPlata,onthenorthcoastoftheisland,insidethemarinaandCasinocomplex.

According to official data, OceanWorld reports 16dolphins,8aremale,6female,and2arenotspecified.Originally8dolphinswereimportedfromCuba,7fromHonduras,andoneiscaptiveborn.

Thisdatadiffersfromwhat’sontheirwebsiteinwhichtheCompany reports that 61%of the dolphins arecaptiveborn,againstonlythe6%ofofficialdata.

From the inventory available on its website, OceanWorld currently holds seven dolphins that werecapturedfromthewild,includingtwomalesnowdead(“FatmanJake”and“McGyver”);elevendolphinsbornincaptivity,andonedolphinbornfromacaptivebornmother(secondgeneration)23.

OceanWorldasawholecurrentlyhas17dolphins:10femalesand7males.


2524 CHAPTER 2: DOLPHINARIA IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC CHAPTER 2: DOLPHINARIA IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Source:OceanWorld.

Source:OceanWorldWebsite2009.

Graphic 9OceanWorlddolphinsbycountryoforigin2008.

Graphic 10OriginofDolphinsbycaptureorcaptiveborn.

Ocean World Dolphins by Origin

Origin of Dolphins. Ocean World 2008.

Honduras44%

Captive born6%

Cuba50%

Capture

Captive born

OceanWorldisafacilityinsideaMarinawithaCasinoasmainamusement.TheParkalsoshowstwotigers,sharks, exotic birds and sea lions which performstandardshows.

Ithasmultiplepens,allsquaredandofdifferentsizes,wherewefoundtwelvedolphins.

The activities with dolphins are simultaneous. Allvisitorswhopayforanyactivitygointoaroomwherethey receive a speech with a toy dolphin to showdolphin anatomy and receive instructions for theSWTDandinteractivesessions.Afterthis,peoplearetakentothedifferentseapens.

Thecostsofactivitiesare:24

DolphinEncounter:Adult$115-Child$80

DolphinSwim:Adult$165-Child$120

DolphinDiscoverDive:Adultsonly$195

Trainerforaday:$250

WenotedregularSWTDprograms:

Fotosession:onedolphinisforcedtogetoutofthewaterforthepicture.

SWTD:16to20peoplewith2dolphins.

DolphinEncounter&Show:itisaveryspecialactivitywhichdeservesmoredetail,sincewefoundit isthecheapestandatthesametimethemostinvasive.Itisashallowwaterprogramclaimedas:

“Shallow water encounter children 4-12 years need to be accompanied by a paying adult (18 years or over). Maximum 2 kids per adult. Infants 0-3 years free, but

need to be accompanied by a paying adult (18 years or over). One infant per adult. Pregnant women not allowed”.25

Inonesmallandshadowedenclosure20peoplesiton the edge of the square pool where one femaledolphinnamed“Chiquita” iscalled toget inside theinteractionpen.

Thisinteractionconsistsofoneanimalwith20people,allofthemtouchingitsbelly,soitswimsseveraltimesallovertheenclosuretobetouched.Then“Chiquita”standsinfrontofeachtouristto“shakehands”.Eachpersonholds its two flipperswith their hands.Afterthis,“Chiquita”isfedbyvisitorswhodesiretodoso.Finally,itsaysgoodbyeby“hugging”eachparticipant.Seepicturesbelow.

Inabout30minutesonesingledolphinisforcedtobetouched(itsbelly)andtohugorkiss20people,oneatatime,foratleast3rounds.

Accordingtothis,18to20peopletouch“Chiquita”,some60timesduringasessionperiodinaverysmallpool.

We found thisactivity tobe thecheapest; somanypeoplepayforit,makingitthemostinvasiveactivityinOceanWorld.

We found that there are also 2 dolphins trained tojumponaplatformandstaystillwhilevisitorsarenearthemforapicture.

Alloftheseactivitiestakeplaceatthesametime,andoncetheyfinish,thenextgroupofvisitorsgointothefacilityandseapens.

Characteristicsofenclosures:allseapensaresquare,withgeometricforms,butnotoysorotherthingstodo.

24www.oceanworldadventurepark.com25www.oceanworldadventurepark.eventbrite.com


2726 CHAPTER 2: DOLPHINARIA IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC CHAPTER 2: DOLPHINARIA IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

39%

61%

“Chiquita” passing by each visitor, who holds its flippers.

“Chiquita” holding each visitor, who holds her in return. Dolphin “Dexter” jumping on the platform so tourists can take pictures at Ocean World 2009.

CHAPTER 3:LEGISLATIVE ANALYSISI. INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

1. Convention of Biodiversity (CBD)26

TheConventionofBiodiversity is perhaps themostimportantinternationalinstrumentfortheconservationof the biodiversity. This Agreement was subscribedduring the Conference of the United Nations onEnvironmentandDevelopmentatRiodeJaneiro, inJuneof1992.

TheobjectivesofthisConventionare:theconservationof biological diversity, the sustainable use of itscomponentsandtherightandequitableparticipationin the benefits that are derived from geneticresources. This agreement recognizes the intrinsicvalueofbiodiversity,itsecologicalandgeneticvalue,inadditiontothesocioeconomicvalues,recreationalandaestheticvalues,anditsconservationinterestforallhumanityasan importantpartofdevelopment. Itemphasizesthatconservationofbiologicaldiversityisofcommoninteresttoallhumanity,andthatnationsareresponsiblefortheconservationoftheirbiologicaldiversityandforthesustainableuseoftheirbiologicalresources.Itrecognizes,ingeneralterms,thatthereis a notable andworrisome diminution of biologicaldiversityduetohumanactivities,andthatpreventionis necessary, but it is also necessary to attack thecausesofreductionorlossofbiologicaldiversity.

MexicosignedontotheCBDinJune1992,27whileDominicanRepublicjoinedin1996.

One of the most important objectives of thisConvention is recognizing the over exploitation ofresourcesandthepossibilityof“In-situConservation”whichisdefinedas:theconservationofecosystemsand natural habitats and the maintenance andrecovery of viable populations of species in theirnaturalsurroundingsand,inthecaseofdomesticatedorcultivatedspecies,inthesurroundingswheretheyhavedevelopedtheirdistinctiveproperties.

In this way in-situ conditions means: conditionswheregeneticresourcesexistwithinecosystemsandnaturalhabitats,and,inthecaseofdomesticatedorcultivated species, in the surroundings where theyhavedevelopedtheirdistinctiveproperties.

For the case of dolphinaria and conservation ofdolphins, CBD makes strong recommendations forin-situconservation28,whicharecompulsory for theParties,interalia:

(a) Establish a system of protected areas, or areas where special measures need to be taken to conserve biological diversity;

(b) Regulate or manage biological resources important for the conservation of biological diversity whether within or outside protected areas, ensuring their conservation and sustainable use;

(c) Promote the protection of ecosystems, natural habitats and the maintenance of viable populations of species in natural surroundings;

(d) Prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species;

(e) Develop or maintain necessary legislation and/or other regulatory provisions for the protection of threatened species and populations;

(f) Cooperate in providing financial and other support for in-situ conservation outlined in subparagraphs (a) to (l) above, particularly to developing countries.

26Seethefulltextonwww.biodiv.org27MexicosignedJune13,1992,theSenateratifiedDec29,1982,anditcameintoforceNov16,1994.DOF.June,1983.28CBD.Article8InSituConservation.Opcit.


CHAPTER 3: LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS 2928

“Chiquita” swimming on its back to show its belly to visitors and to be touched by all of them.


2. United Nations Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)29

TheLawoftheSeaConventiondefinestherightsandresponsibilities of nations in their useof theworld’soceans, establishing guidelines for businesses,the environment, and the management of marinenatural resources. The Convention was concludedin1982replacingfour1958treaties.UNCLOScameinto force in 1994. To date 157 countries, includedMexicoandDominicanRepublic,and theEuropeanCommunityhavejoinedintheConvention.However,itisnowregardedasacodificationofthecustomaryinternationallawontheissue.

Navigational rights, territorial sea limits, economicjurisdiction, legalstatusof resourceson theseabedbeyond the limits of national jurisdiction, passageof ships through narrow straits, conservation andmanagement of living marine resources, protectionofthemarineenvironment,amarineresearchregime,and a binding procedure for settlement of disputesbetween States; are among the most importantfeatures of the treaty. In short, the Convention isan unprecedented attempt by the internationalcommunity to regulate all aspects of the resourcesof theseaandusesof theocean,andthusbringastableordertomankind’sverysourceoflife.

Ratification of, or accession to, the ConventionexpressestheconsentofaStatetobeboundbyitsprovisions.

ItbecomesveryimportanttomentionthatUNCLOSrecognizes the special status of marine mammals,sinceArticle65makesexplicittherightofPartiestoprotectmarinemammalsasstrictlyasdesired:

Nothing in this Part restricts the right of a coastal State or the competence of an international organization, as appropriate, to prohibit, limit or regulate the exploitation of marine mammals more strictly than provided for in this Part. States

shall cooperate with a view to the conservation of marine mammals, and in the case of cetaceans, shall work in particular through the appropriate international organizations for their conservation, management and study.

AlsothatthesamerighttoprotectmarinemammalsisestablishedinArticle95:

Article 65 also applies to the conservation and management of marine mammals in the high seas.

3. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)30

TheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpecies of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is aninternational agreement between governments,thereforemakingitacompulsoryagreement.Itsaimis to ensure that international trade in specimensof wild animals and plants does not threaten theirsurvival. It isoneofthemost importanttoolsfortheprotections of wildlife, and emerged as a responsetotheoverexploitationofanimalsandplants,puttingmanyoftheminthreatduetointernationaltrade.

CITESisaninternationalagreementtowhichStates(countries)adherevoluntarily.Statesthathaveagreedtobeboundby theConvention (‘joined’CITES)areknown as Parties. CITES is legally binding on theParties–inotherwordstheyhavetoimplementtheConvention.TheconventionwassignedinWashingtonDC in 1973, and came into force in 1985. Mexicosigned inMarch199131,andDominicanRepublic in198232.On table 3 are the dates of accession andofenteringintoforceofthecountriesinvolvedinthisresearch.

BasicallyCITESimpliesthecommitmentofnotallowingthetradeofspeciesunderAppendixI,IIandIII,unlesscertainconditionsarestrictlyaccomplished.

Most species of dolphins used in dolphinaria areincludedinAppendixII,whichmeans:

(a) All species, although not necessarily threatened with extinction now, may become so unless trade in specimens of such species is subject to strict regulation in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival;

Due to the tradewehave foundof several speciesof dolphins, especially Tursiops truncatus, which isat present time the most generally used, Article IVofCITEShasspecial importance tounderstand therightsofcountriestorestrainortotallyprohibitdolphincommerce.

Article IV

RegulationofTradeinSpecimensofSpeciesIncludedinAppendixII.

1. All trade in specimens of species included inAppendix II shall be in accordance with theprovisionsofthisArticle.

2. Theexportofanyspecimenofaspeciesincludedin Appendix II shall require the prior grant andpresentationofanexportpermit.Anexportpermitshallonlybegrantedwhenthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:

(a) A Scientific Authority of the State of export has advised that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species;

(b) A Management Authority of the State of export is satisfied that the specimen was not obtained in contravention of the laws of that State for the protection of fauna and flora; and

(c) A Management Authority of the State of export is satisfied that any living specimen will be so prepared and shipped as to minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment.

3. AScientificAuthority in eachParty shallmonitorboththeexportpermitsgrantedbythatStateforspecimensofspeciesincludedinAppendixIIandtheactualexportsofsuchspecimens.WheneveraScientificAuthoritydeterminesthattheexportofspecimensofanysuchspeciesshouldbelimitedinordertomaintainthatspeciesthroughoutitsrangeatalevelconsistentwithitsroleintheecosystemsinwhichitoccursandwellabovethelevelatwhichthat species might become eligible for inclusioninAppendixI,theScientificAuthorityshalladvisetheappropriateManagementAuthorityofsuitablemeasurestobetakento limitthegrantofexportpermitsforspecimensofthatspecies.

4. TheimportofanyspecimenofaspeciesincludedinAppendixIIshallrequirethepriorpresentationofeitheranexportpermitorare-exportcertificate.

5. The re-export of any specimen of a speciesincludedinAppendixIIshallrequirethepriorgrantand presentation of a re-export certificate. A re-export certificate shall onlybegrantedwhen thefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:

(a) A Management Authority of the State of re-export is satisfied that the specimen was imported into that State in accordance with the provisions of the present Convention; and

(b) A Management Authority of the State of re-export is satisfied that any living specimen will be so prepared and shipped as to minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment.

6. The introduction from the sea of any specimenofaspecies included inAppendix II shall requirethepriorgrantofacertificatefromaManagementAuthorityoftheStateofintroduction.Acertificateshallonlybegrantedwhenthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:

(a) A Scientific Authority of the State of introduction advises that the introduction will

29Seethefulltextonwww.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/closindx.htm30Textavailableonwww.cites.org31DOF.March61992.32ResolutionNo550-82.June171982.


CHAPTER 3: LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS 3130 CHAPTER 3: LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS

not be detrimental to the survival of the species involved; and

(b) A Management Authority of the State of introduction is satisfi ed that any living specimen will be so handled as to minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment.

7. Certificates referred to in paragraph 6 of thisArticle may be granted on the advice of aScientific Authority, in consultation with othernationalscientificauthoritiesor,whenappropriate,international scientific authorities, in respect ofperiodsnotexceedingoneyearfortotalnumbersofspecimenstobeintroducedinsuchperiods.

It is very important to mention that all countriesinvolvedindolphintradeinthisreportaremembersofCITES,withtheexceptionoftheSolomonIslands.

WhenthegovernmentofaStatedecidesthat itwillbeboundbytheprovisionsofCITES,itcan‘join’theConvention by making a formal declaration to thiseffectinwritingtotheDepositaryGovernment,whichistheGovernmentofSwitzerland.Onceadocumentcontaining this declaration has been received bytheDepositary, through the diplomatic channel, theConventionentersintoforcefortheStateconcerned90dayslater,accordingtoArticleXXII.

33www.cites.org/eng/disc/parties/index.shtml34www.cites.org/eng/disc/parties/alphabet.shtml35Seethetextat:www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/v9878e/v9878e00.htm

Table 3

CountriesthatarepartofCITES,anddatesitcameintoforce33.

Country Date of Accession Date of entry into force

Cuba 17/04/1986 19/07/1990

Dominican Republic 17/12/1986 17/03/1987

Honduras 15/03/1985 13/06/1985

Mexico 02/07/1991 30/09/1991

Japan 06/08/1980(Ac) 04/11/1980

Note:(Ac)Acceptance.

4. Code of Conduct of Responsible Fisheries (FAO)35

This Code of international scope, though it is notcompulsory, has the basic elements to face overfishingallovertheworld.

Its first predecessorwas theNineteenth Session inMarch1991oftheCommitteeonFisheries(COFI).Asa resultof thisconference inRome, theCommitteecalled for thedevelopmentofnewconcepts,whichwould lead to responsible, sustained fisheries. TheresultofthisrequestwasameetinginCancun,Mexicoin1991withtheDeclarationofCancunasafirststepfortheCodeofConduct.

The code, establishes, in a non-mandatory manner,principles and standards for the conservation,managementanddevelopmentofallfisheries.TheFAOConferenceadoptedtheCodeonOctober31st,1995.

ThisCodeisvoluntary.However,certainpartsofitarebasedonrelevantrulesofinternationallaw.TheCodeprovides principles and standards applicable to theconservation, management and development of allfisheries. Italsocovers thecapture,processingandtradeoffishandfisheryproducts,fishingoperations,aquaculture,fisheriesresearchandtheintegrationoffisheriesintocoastalareamanagement.

TheobjectivesoftheCodeare,interalia,toestablishesprinciples, in accordance with the relevant rules ofinternational lawfor responsiblefishingandfisheriesactivities,takingintoaccountalltheirrelevantbiological,technological, economic, social, environmental andcommercialaspects;establishprinciplesandcriteriafortheelaborationandimplementationofnationalpoliciesfor responsible conservation of fisheries resourcesand fisheriesmanagement and development; serveasaninstrumentofreferencetohelpStatesestablishor improve the legal and institutional frameworkrequiredfortheexerciseofresponsiblefisheriesandintheformulationandimplementationofappropriatemeasures.

Asgeneralprinciplesofthecode,wefind:Statesandusers of living aquatic resources should conserveaquatic ecosystems. The right to fish carrieswith ittheobligationtodosoinaresponsiblemannersoastoensureeffectiveconservationandmanagementofthelivingaquaticresources.

OneofthemostimportantprinciplesoftheCodeofConduct is theone that refers to thePrecautionaryApproach,inArticle7.5:

7.5.1 States should apply the precautionary approach widely to conservation, management and exploitation of living aquatic resources in order to protect them and preserve the aquatic environment. The absence of adequate scientifi c information should not be used as a reason for postponing or failing to take conservation and management measures.

7.5.2 In implementing the precautionary approach, States should take into account uncertainties relating to the size and productivity of the stocks, reference points, stock condition in relation to such reference points, levels and distribution of fi sh mortality and the impact of fi shing activities, including discards, on non-target and associated or dependent species, as well as environmental and socio-economic conditions.36

II. REGIONAL AGREEMENTS

1. Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment for the Wider Caribbean Region37 and the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW Protocol)38

TheConventionistheonlyregion-wideenvironmentaltreaty that protects critical marine and coastalecosystems, while promoting regional co-operationandsustainabledevelopment.

The Cartagena Convention is a comprehensiveumbrella agreement for the protection anddevelopmentofthemarineenvironment.Thisregionalenvironmentalconventionprovidesthelegalframeworkfor cooperative regional and national actions in theWiderCaribbeanRegion(WCR).

TheConventionfortheProtectionandDevelopmentof the Marine Environment in the Wider CaribbeanRegion was adopted in Cartagena, Colombia onMarch24,1983andentered into forceonOctober11,1986, for the legal implementationof theActionPlanfortheCaribbeanEnvironmentProgramme.

MexicosignedthisConventionin1983,andratifiedinApril198539;whileDominicanRepublicadoptedandratifiedinNovember198640.

36ToseethewholeTextoftheCode:ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/005/v9878e/v9878e00.pdf37Seewww.cep.unep.org/welcome/cartagena-convention38Seetextonwww.cep.unep.org/pubs/legislation/spaw.html39DOF.April111985.40ResolutionNo359-98.August19,1998.


3332

A State for which the Convention has entered intoforceiscalledaPartytoCITES34.

The list of countries (mentioned in this report) anddates of signature, andwhen the convention cameintoforceareasfollows:

CHAPTER 3: LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS CHAPTER 3: LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS

ThereforethemainobligationsofthePartiesare:

1. The Contracting Parties shall endeavor toconclude bilateral or multilateral agreementsincluding regional or sub regional agreements,for the protection of the marine environment ofthe Convention area. Such agreements shall beconsistentwiththisConventionandinaccordancewithinternationallaw.Copiesofsuchagreementsshall be communicated to theOrganization and,through the Organization, to all signatories andContractingPartiestothisConvention.

2. This Convention and its protocols shall beconstrued in accordance with international lawrelating to their subject matter. Nothing in thisConvention or its protocols shall be deemed toaffect obligations assumed by the ContractingPartiesunderpreviouslycontractedagreements.

TheConventionissupplementedbythreeProtocols:OilSpillsProtocol (1983);SpeciallyProtectedAreasand Wild life Protocol (1990-2000); Land BasedSourcesofMarinePollutionProtocol(1999).

1.1 Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife Protocol (SPAW Protocol)

Adopted in Kingston, Jamaica by the membergovernments of the Caribbean EnvironmentProgramme on January 18, 1990. The SPAWProtocol preceded other international environmentalagreements in utilizing an ecosystem approach toconservation.TheProtocolactsasavehicletoassistwithregionalimplementationofthebroaderandmoredemandingglobalConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD).

TheSPAWProtocolbecameinternationallawinJune2000,when itwas ratified by the ninthContractingParty.ThoughMexicosignedtheProtocolin1998,ithasnotbeenratifiedyet.DominicanRepublicsignedand ratified in199841. It is important tomention forthepurposeofthisreport,thatCuba,whoisthemainexporterofdolphins,bothtoMexicoandDominicanRepublic, signed on January 18, 1990, and ratifiedonAugust4th,1998.Ontheotherhand,Honduras,which exports dolphins to Dominican Republic hasnotsignedtheSPAWProtocol.

41RatifiedtroughResolutionNo.359-98.,August181998.42www.cites.org/eng/disc/parties/alphabet.shtml 43www.cep.unep.org/cartagena-convention/ratification-spaw.png/view

Table 4

CountriesthatarepartofSPAWProtocol,anddatesofratification42.

Country Date of Signing Date of Ratifi cation

Dominican Republic 15/03/1985 13/06/1985

Mexico 1998 -

Cuba January1990 August1998

Honduras - -

Note:(Ac)Acceptance.

Thecountries thathavesignedonare:AntiguaandBarbuda, Colombia, Cuba, France, Guatemala,Jamaica,Mexico,Netherlands,SaintLucia,Trinidadand Tobago, United Kingdom of Great Britain andNorthern Ireland, United States of America, andVenezuela.

The Protocol works through detailed provisions toaddress the establishment of protected areas andbuffer zones for wildlife conservation; national andregional co-operative measures for the protectionof animal and plants species; and environmentalassessments,research,education,publicawareness,community participation, capacity building andregionalcooperation.

One of the objectives of the Protocol is to protectendangered species. All marine mammals areconsideredinAnnexIIoftheSPAWProtocollistwhichmeansendangeredanimals.

Article10oftheProtocolprovidesthemainmeasurestoprotectwildfloraandfauna,especiallythoselistedas dolphins. Due to its importance we reproducethose articles related to the protection of dolphins,bothinwildlifeandincaptivity.

1. Each Party shall identify endangered or threatened species of fl ora and fauna within areas over which it exercises sovereignty, or sovereign rights or jurisdiction, and accord protected status to such species. Each Party shall regulate and prohibit according to its laws and regulations, where appropriate, activities having adverse effects on such species or their habitats and ecosystems, and carry out species recovery, management, planning and other measures to affect the survival of such species. Each Party, in keeping with its legal system, shall also take appropriate actions to prevent species from becoming endangered or threatened.


3534

Map 1

MapofcountriesthathaveratifiedtheSPAWProtocol.

Source43.

CHAPTER 3: LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS CHAPTER 3: LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS

2. With respect to protected species of flora and their parts and products, each Party, in conformity with its laws and regulations, shall regulate, and where appropriate, prohibit all forms of destruction and disturbance, including picking, collecting, cutting, uprooting or possession of, or commercial trade in, such species.

3. With respect to protected species of fauna, each Party, in conformity with its laws and regulations, shall regulate, and where appropriate, prohibit:

a. The taking, possession or killing (including, to the extent possible, the incidental taking, possession or killing) or commercial trade in such species or their parts or products; and

b. To the extent possible, the disturbance of wild fauna, particularly during the period of breeding, incubation, aestivation or migration, as well as other periods of biological stress.

OfspecialinterestisArticle25oftheProtocol,sinceithasbemisunderstoodastoexpressthedominanceofCITESovertheSPAWProtocol.

Article 25

Relationship to other conventions dealing with the special protection of wildlife.

Nothing in this Protocol shall be interpreted in a way that may affect the rights and obligations of Parties under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

During the Ninth Intergovernmental Meeting on theActionPlanfortheCaribbeanEnvironmentProgrammeand Sixth Meeting of the Contracting Parties to theConventionfortheProtectionandDevelopmentoftheMarine Environment of the Wider Caribbean RegionthattookplaceinKingston,JamaicainFebruary2000,a specialwork of legal Assessment of “Compatibility”

between these two issueswas presented by expertstocleanall doubts, establishing the total compatibilitybetweenthem44.

Themost important issues intheLegalAssessmentare:

• Whether or not could Article 25 of the SPAWProtocol be interpreted as a clause foreseeingtheexpressedprimacyoftheglobaltreatyCITES,or could it be considered as a declaration ofcompatibility (according to Article 30, paragraph2,oftheViennaConvention).Infact,themeaningof Article 25 is that it “reflects the generalunderstanding among the negotiators that theybelieved that the provisions of SPAW could beinterpreted and implemented consistently withCITES”.Thishypothesis issupportedby the factthatArticle30oftheViennaConventionontheLawof Treaties is devoted exclusively to successivetreaties relating to the same subjectmatter. TheSPAWProtocolandtheCITESConventionarenottwotreatiesonthesamesubject.ThereforeArticle30cannotbeusedtojustifyapresumedprimacyofCITES.

• Whether or not Article XIV of CITES allows acontracting Party to adopt stricter domesticmeasures. Since this Article refers to the rightsof Parties, would a contracting Party to SPAWbe expected to develop the stricter domesticlegislationrequiredimplementingitsprovisions.

No.APartytoSPAWortoCITEShasthedutytoimplementtheprovisionsoftheagreementtowhichitisaParty.InbothcasesthePartywouldhavethepossibilitytoadoptstricternationallegislation.Thismeans that if aStateParty toCITESandSPAWdoesnotadopt themeasures foreseen inSPAW-whichareinfactstricterthantheonesofCITES-this would constitute a violation of the SPAWProtocolbutnotaviolationofarticleXIVofCITES.Thereasonisthatthetwoagreementsaredifferentand thereforecreatedistinct legalobligations.Alltheauthorsagreewiththispointofview.

• SmallcetaceansarelistedonAppendixIIofCITES(tradeisregulated),butonAnnexIIofSPAW(tradeorpossessionisprohibited).Article25ofSPAWhasbeeninterpretedbysomerecentsignatoryPartiesto SPAW to mean that they have an automaticexemptiontotradesmallcetaceansiftheychooseto,because it istheirrightunderCITES. Is it thecase that Article 25 of SPAW provides specificexemptionsundertheProtocol?

Article25oftheSPAWProtocoldoesnotprovideforanyexemptiontoCITESobligationsbecauseitisadifferentagreement.TheprovisionsofCITEScannot generate exemptions under the SPAWProtocol -and neither vice versa-, since they aretwo different legal instruments and thereforecreate different rights and obligations upon theirrespectiveParties.IfagivenStateisaPartytobothagreements it has to complywith its obligationsunderbothlegalregimes.Thedistinctobligationsunderoneoftheagreementsmustbeperformedregardless of the Party’s rights and obligationsundertheotheragreement.

• Byperformingtheobligationsunderatreatyexactlyastheyarethereinstated,aswellasbylimitingitsbehaviorandactionsinamorestringentwaythanthat allowed by the treaty, a State is complyingwithitsobligationsunderthattreaty.Stateshaveinfactthefreedomtolimittheirbehaviortoastricterway than that requiredbyan international treaty.ArticleXIVofCITESexplicitlyprovidesfortherightof Parties to adopt “stricter domestic measuresregarding the conditions for trade, taking,possessionortransportofspecimensincludedinAppendicesI, IIor III,orthecompleteprohibitionthereof”. If CITES obligations are less strict thanthose under the SPAW Protocol, in order tocomplywithbothagreements,aPartytothemhastofollowthestricterobligationsandadoptstricterdomesticmeasures.AParty tobothagreementshas accepted to be bound by the obligationsforeseen in the agreements, but by becoming aParty to thestricter treaty ithas implicitlyagreedtorenouncetoactionsthatwouldbepermissibleunderthelessstricttreaty.

• ThethreepaperscoincideinaffirmingthatArticle25 of the SPAW Protocol can certainly not beinterpretedinthisway.Again,itmustbeunderlinedthatCITESandSPAWaretwodifferentagreementsandmustthereforebeindependentlyimplemented.What is envisaged in one of these internationaltreatiescannotbeusedasanexemptioninordernottocomplywithwhat isprovided intheother.The general principle stated in Article 26 of theVienna Convention is applicable to this case.This principle is Pacta sunt servanda which, asexplained in the mentioned article, means that“everytreatyinforceisbindinguponthePartiestoitandmustbeperformedbythemingoodfaith”.Article25ofSPAWcannotbeinterpreted,ingoodfaith,asanexemptionclause.

Therefore:

Article 25 of SPAW cannot be interpreted, in goodfaith,asanexemptionclause.

2. Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)45

SignedbyDominicanRepublicin2005,CAFTAenteredinforceinMarch2007.Itisafreetradeagreementtreatyunderinternationallaw,compulsoryforitsParties.MexicoisnotPartofthisTreaty,sinceitispartofNorthAmericanFreeTradeAgreement(NAFTA).So,itisonlycompulsoryforDominicanRepublic,fortheeffectsofthisreport.

Thegoaloftheagreementisthecreationofanareaoffreetrade,similartotheoneestablishedbyNAFTA-which encompasses US, Mexico and Canada- inCentralAmerica.

As all general agreements, in the preamble, Partiesrecognizetheirobligationto:

IMPLEMENTthisAgreementinamannerconsistentwith environmental protection and conservation,promote sustainable development, and strengthentheircooperationonenvironmentalmatters;PROTECT

44UNEP(DEC)/CARIG.17/INF.5LegalAssessmenton“Compatibility”issuesbetweentheProtocolConcerningSpeciallyProtectedAreasandWildlife(SPAW)totheCartagenaConventionandtheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpecies(CITES). 45Resolution357-/05.September8,2005.


3736 CHAPTER 3: LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS CHAPTER 3: LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS

andpreservetheenvironmentandenhancethemeansfor doing so, including through the conservation ofnaturalresourcesintheirrespectiveterritories;

Article 17.2: Enforcement of Environmental Laws

1. (a)A Party shall not fail to effectively enforce itsenvironmental laws, through a sustained orrecurring course of action or inaction, in amanneraffectingtradebetweentheParties,afterthedateofentryintoforceofthisAgreement.

(b)The Parties recognize that each Party retainsthe right to exercise discretion with respectto investigative, prosecutorial, regulatory, andcompliance matters and to make decisionsregarding the allocation of resources toenforcementwithrespecttootherenvironmentalmattersdeterminedtohavehigherpriorities.

Accordingly,thePartiesunderstandthataPartyisincompliancewithsubparagraph(a)whereacourseofactionorinactionreflectsareasonableexercise of such discretion, or results from abona fide decision regarding the allocation ofresources.

2. The Parties recognize that it is inappropriate to

encouragetradeorinvestmentweakeningorreducingtheprotectionsafforded indomestic environmentallaws.

Accordingly,eachPartyshallstrivetoensurethat itdoesnotwaiveorotherwisederogatefrom,oroffertowaiveorotherwisederogate from, such laws inamannerthatweakensorreducestheprotectionsaffordedinthoselawsasanencouragementfortrade

withanotherParty,orasanencouragementfortheestablishment,acquisition,expansion,orretentionofaninvestmentinitsterritory.

3. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)46

SignedonDecember8th,1993,theNAFTATreatyisoneofthemostpowerfultradetreatiesoftheworld.Itiscompulsoryforthethreecountries.Ithasanenvironmentalsupplement,whichistheNorthAmericanAgreementofEnvironmentalCooperation.

InArticle3ofthisAgreement47wefindtheobligationsforlevelsofprotection:

Recognizing the right of each Party to establish its own levels of domestic environmental protection and environmental development policies and priorities, and to adopt or modify accordingly its environmental laws and regulations, each Party shall ensure that its laws and regulations provide for high levels of environmental protection and shall strive to continue to improve those laws and regulations.

III. NATIONAL LAWS

1. Mexico

Mexican laws recognizeunder theConstitution thatnaturalresourcesarepropertyoftheNationandtheirconservationisofcommoninterest48.UnderthesameConstitutiontheCongress,ChambersofDeputiesandSenatorshavethefacultytolegislateonenvironmentalissues49.DerivedfromtheConstitutionistheGeneralLawofEnvironment,which is thehighest regulationfromwhicheveryotherlawderives:

A. General law of ecological equilibrium and the protection of environment

First Published in 199850 has been reformedmanytimes, ever since the first reform in 199651. Amongother objectives and principles, it mentions thepreservation of biodiversity, and natural habitats ofspeciesinMexicanterritory,includingMexicanseas.

Oneofthemostimportantcriteriaisthepreservationofendemicandendangeredspeciesandtherespectfultreatmenttoanimalspecies52.

B. Wildlife law

PublishedinJuly2000,itisbasedonthechapterofBiodiversity from the General Law of Environment,andattractsunderitsprotectionspeciallyendangeredspecies,bothplantsandanimals.

DerivedfromthisLawistheNorm059ListofSpeciesatRisk53.InthisNormallspeciesofdolphinsareunderthe category of “under special protection”meaning“Those that could become threatened by factorsthat affect in a negative way their viability, reasonwhytheneedtoberecoveredandconserved,ortheconservationofassonatedspeciesisdetermined”54.

BeforethepublicationofthisLaw,captureofdolphinswaspermitted under the Lawof Fisheries andwasconsideredasafishery.

The permits were named “Pesca de Fomento”(furtherance fishing) defined as the fishery that hasthe purpose of study, research, experimentation,repopulationoconservationofresources,aswellasthecollectoflivespeciesforscientificcollections,orthoseforornament,display,aquariaandzoos.

This Law classifies all facilities as UMAs (UnidadesdeManejoyAprovechamiento)orManagementandUseUnits,whichincorporatesbothconservationandanexploitation figure,without anydistinction. Zoos,aquaria,circuses,aswellashuntingfieldsareincludedinthe”UMA”legalfigure.

TheWildlifeLawprohibitsexpresslythecrueltyagainstwild faunaduring itsexploitation:“any act of cruelty against wild fauna is strictly prohibited in the terms of this law and the derived norms”. Referring to animals for exhibition, such as dolphin display, it is established that “the exhibition of live specimens of wild fauna will have to take place in a way that avoids or diminishes stress, suffering and pain”55.

Nevertheless,thelackofdefinitionsofsuchtermsas“cruelty”or“diminishsuffering”,makethemtermsthatcanbemanipulateddependingonwhodefinesthem,sothegoodapplicationofthelawisimpossible.Thecaptiveindustryhastakenadvantageofthis,aswellasthefactthatofficialsapplylawsdiscretionally.

On the other hand there are good pieces of law,especiallyonmarinemammalsandthecaptureandimport for captivity. Captures of marine mammalswereprohibitedin200256:

“No specimen of any marine mammal, no matter what specie, could be subject of extractive taking for commercial or subsistence purposes, with the exception of the capture intended for both scientific research and the superior education of credited institutions”57.

In thesameway imports,exportsandre-exportsofmarinemammalswereprohibitedinabilladoptedin2006,afterascandalduetothemassiveimportof28dolphinsfromtheSolomonIslandsinJune2003.

46Seefulltextatwww.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/nafta-alena/texte/index.aspx47Seefulltextatwww.cec.org/pubs_info_resources/law_treat_agree/naaec/naaec03.cfm?varlan=English48ConstituciónPolíticadelosEstadosUnidosMexicanos.Art.25and27.49CostituciónPolíticadelosEstadosUnidosMexicanos.Art.73,FraccionXXIX-G

NORMAOficialMexicanaNOM-059-ECOL-2001,Protecciónambiental-EspeciesnativasdeMéxicodeflorayfaunasilvestres.Categoríasderiesgoyespecificacionesparasuinclusión,exclusiónocambio.Listadeespeciesenriesgo.50DOF.January28,1998.51DOF.December13,1996.52LeyGeneraldeEquilibrioEcológicoylaProtecciónalAmbiente.Art.79,fracciónI-VIII.53DiarioOficialdelaFederación.March6,2002.54Article57,fractionC.LeyGeneraldeVidaSilvestre.55LeyGeneraldeVidaSilvestre.ChapterVI;Articles29-34.56Art.60Bis.WildlifeLaw57DiarioOficialdelaFederación.January10,2002.DecretoporelqueseadicionandiversasdisposicionesdelaLeyGeneraldeVidaSilvestre.



“The import, export and re-export of specimens of any specie of marine mammal or primate, as well as its parts and derivatives, is prohibited with the exception of those destined for scientific research, with previous authorization from the Secretary”58.

C. Criminal code

The Criminal Code clearly establishes any act ofdamage,capture,trafficorkillofanyspecieofmarinemammalasacrime:

“A penalty of nine years of prison and the equivalent of three hundred to three thousand days of salary, will be ordered to whom illicitly: captures, damages, or deprives of life any specimen of marine mammal or sea turtle, or in any way collects, stores their products or by-products”59.

It considers theactof introducingexotic species innaturalprotectedareasasanenvironmentalcrime.

D. Regulation norm for marine mammals in captivity60

Nom135waspublishedin2004,duetopublicpressuretoregulatefacilities.Itestablishesnormsforcapture,scientific use, transportation, exhibition, handlingandthekeepingofmarinemammalsincaptivity.Thepurpose is to avoid mistreatment, provide suitableconditions that safeguard the animals’ physical,socialandbehavioralintegrity,aswellasfomentstheconservationandprotectionofthereferredspecies.

Theactivity regulated is theSwimwiththeDolphinsPrograms. Yet this activity is still badly regulated,sinceitpermitsuptotenpeoplewithasingledolphinpersession,nomatterhowlongthatsessionis;andonlyonesupervisorfor32or40people.Dolphinscanworkupto4hoursperday.

This norm eliminates the regulations on protectionareas such as sanctuaries and buffer zones, sincethesearenolongerrequired!Leavingdolphinstotallyexposed to human interaction, andwith little or nosupervisionfromatrainer.

BufferandsanctuaryzoneswerefirstconsideredbySEMARNATin200161.TheirfirstNormhadestablishedthree areas limiting interaction for the protection oftheanimals:the interactivearea;thebufferzone(anintermediateareawherethepubliccannotenter),andthesanctuaryzone,thebiggestareaofall,wherenointeraction,harassment,ortrainingisallowed.Inthesanctuarydolphinscouldswimfreely,evenduringthesessions.SickanimalswerealsoprohibitedinSWTDprograms.

Alloftheseregulationswereeliminatedthenewnorm,now the captive industry had a norm that suitedthem,notanimals.Everycompanyparticipatedintheelaborationofthenewnorm.

Another aberration in the new Norm is related totravelingshows.Thesehadbeenforbidden,butwiththeNormof2001therestrictionwasabolished.Eventhoughitiswellknownthatthehighestsufferingandmortalityratesareduetothisactivity.Manyanimalsdieduetoterrestrialtransportationorthebadconditionsofthesmallconcretetanksusedfortheshows.

This new regulation is really a deregulation,decrementing the health, life and quality of life ofcaptiveanimals.Alloftheseconditionsleaddolphinsnot only to a premature death, but also a stressfulandprecariouslifeasshowedinthecausesofdeathdeclaredofficiallybyfacilities.

Mostofthedeathsareclearlycorrelatedwithcapture,transport, irresponsible handling, and enclosureconditions.Allof these factorsareat thebasisofacontinuous,chronicstressdolphinsfinallyyieldto.

2. Dominican Republic

A. General law of the environment and natural resources62

TheGeneralLawof theenvironmentwaspublishedin theyear2000. It recognizesnatural resourcesascommon property of the State; and actions such as the conservation and protection of natural resources are of national interest (Articles3and4).AccordingtoInternationalinstrumentstheDominicanLawadoptsthePrecautionaryPrinciple,which“must prevail over any other criteria in public administration. The lack of absolute scientific certainty will not be able to justify the inaction to adopt preventive and effective measures in all activities that impact environment”(Art.8).

There is a special disposition in Article 140 thatrecognizes the status of endangered species is toberespectedbyallothernations,inconsiderationtotheirfishing,capture,harassment,etc.

ART. 140 - Species of flora and fauna declared endangered or threatened by Dominican Republic or any other State, are forbidden for hunting, fishing, capture, harassment, mistreatment, death, traffic, import, export, trade, manufacture or elaboration of crafts, as well as for exhibition and illegal possession; according the international treaties signed by the Dominican State.

B. National decrete for the application of the cites convention63

This is a national rule to be able to implement theCITESConvention at a local level. Itwas approvedvery recently and, in general terms, accomplishesall the requirements of theConvention.We presenthere a reproduction of the most important piecesandarticlesreferringtodolphin imports. ImportsareallowedinDominicanRepubliceventhoughcaptureshavebeenbanned,asstatedabove.

Later we will look into the regulations for marinemammalsinconfinement.

Art. 18 - The Administrative Authority can authorize permits or certificates for the import, export, re-export or introduction from the sea of specimens of the species listed in Appendix I, II and III if the following conditions are met:

(a) The Scientific Authority has considered that the export will not go in detriment of the involved species.

(b) The Administrative Authority will give the permission or certificate if there is certainty that the involved specimen has not been obtained in disobedience of the effective legislation of the States Part of the Convention;

(c) The import of a specimen pertaining to one of the species listed in Appendix II or III, will be authorized solely if the Administrative Authority has evidence on the previous expedition of an export permit, a certificate of re-export, or a certificate of origin from the Administrative Authority of the exporting State, in accordance with what is requested in the CITES Convention.

(d) The specimens of a specie of animal listed in Appendix I or II that have been reproduced in captivity can not be commercialized unless registered by the Administrative Authority, and each new animal has been individually and permanently marked in a way that their alteration or modification by a unauthorized person is difficult or impossible. The conditions for the registry are determined by the Administrative Authority.

C. Presidential decree of a sancturay for humbback whales in Banco de la Plata64

ThisisaveryimportantdecreesinceitnotonlyprotectsHumpbackwhales,butallmarinemammalspecies;prohibitingtheirkill,capture,ordamage,as

58DiarioOficialdelaFederación.January26,2006.DecretoporelquesereformanyadicionandiversasdisposicionesdelaLeyGeneraldeVidaSilvestre;Art.55Bis59CódigoPenalFederal.Art.420.60DiarioOficialdelaFederación.August27,2004.NormaOficialMexicana.NOM-EM-135-SEMARNAT-2004.Paralaregulacióndelacapturaparainvestigación,transporte,exhibición,manejoymanutencióndemamíferosmarinosencautiverio.61DiarioOficialdelaFederación.June8,2001.

62LeyGeneraldeMedioAmbienteyRecursosNaturales.Ley64-00.SantoDomingo,DominicanRepublic,August18,2000.63DecretoNacionaldeAplicacióndelaConvenciónCITESNo1288-04.October1st,2004.64DecretoNo319-86.October4,1986.



wellastheimpactontheirhabitatswithexplosives,fisheries,orpollution:

Art.3 - Within the area of the Sanctuary the following are prohibited: slaughter, capture or injury of any marine mammal, the use of explosives or electrical polluting depots.

Art. 4 - The dredged perforation and any form of alteration of the bottom of the sea, or construction of any structure to aid navigation is prohibited without the corresponding permission of the Governing Commission.

D. Presidential decree of the Sanctuary for Marine Mammals in Dominican Republic (SMM)65

It enlarged the Sanctuary for Marine Mammals toBanco de La Navidad and part of Samana Litoral,withtheobjectiveofprotectingallspeciesofmarinemammalsfromharminmorethan25,000km2intheAtlantic66.

E. Crimes against the environment

Art. 175 - of the Environmental Law defines as acrime theact of hurtinganymarinemammal, sincetheyareaprotectedspecies:

Ordinal3“Whohunts,illegallycapturesorcausesthedeathofspeciesdeclaredinextinction,protectedorendangered”.

Ordinal4“Whousesexplosives,poison,trapsorotherinstrumentsorartsthatdamagesorcausessufferingtoaquaticspeciesof terrestrial faunaorothers thatareendemic,native,residentormigratoryones”67.

F. Law of fishery and acuaculture68

Art. No.46ofthislawprotectsallmarineresourcesfrom illegal exploitation and use. According to theEnvironmental Law, any specie declared underprotectionbytheCountryoranyInternationalTreatysignedbyDominicanRepublicisconsideredasso:

“The exploitation of those protected marine resources is prohibited, whether protected by Dominican Law or International treaties signed by Dominican Republic. Marine mammals as well as marine and river turtles are included in this part”.

G. Rules on handling, management and exhibition of marine mammal species in Dominican Republic69

Themainobjectiveoftheserulesistogetaneffectivecontroloffacilitiesandabetterefficiencyinhandling,managementandtheexhibitionofmarinemammalsinconfinement.Itregulatesonly3speciesofdolphins:Tursiops trucatus, Delphinus delphis and Stenella sp.

The most important content of this regulation is theestablishmentofmeasuresformanyaspectsoffacilitiesthatholddolphins,suchasconfinementsizes,qualityof water and salinity concentrations; feeding, qualityof nutrients according to age, weight and physicalconditionsoftheanimals.Italsorequiresaclinicalcheckupeverymoth,anda fullcheckupeverysixmonthsbyaveterinarian.Itordersaremovaloforganicwastesat leastonceaday;andestablishestheobligationofnotifyinganydeathordolphinescapetoauthorities70.Therulesallow6activitieswithdolphins:swimwiththedolphins,exhibitionandentertainment,environmentaleducation,research,conservation,andbreeding71.

Buttheonlyregulatedactivityisthesocalledexhibition,andevenso, ismistaken,because it really refers to

interaction with humans and not performance, asseenbellow:

Chapter VII Exhibition

Article22 - The time of interaction of each specimen with the public will not exceed three (3) hours per day. The specimens that participate in these sessions will have a period of twelve (12) continuous hours without interaction with the public.

Paragraph - Previous to each session of interaction, the public will receive instructions for their behavior and security.

This confusing mistake leaves behind all otheractivities with only performance and environmentaleducationsupposedlyremaining.Yet,thetextshowsthat themain activity and interest of facilities is theprofitobtainedthroughSWTDprograms.

Itshouldalsobementionedthatitisveryambiguoustojustgivethepublicinstructionsfortheirsafetyandcorrectbehavior. Itmeansnothing if these rulesarenotprovidedwithdetaileddescriptionsanddefinitionsofwhatisrightandwhatiswrong.Therearetoomanyrisks inawrongbehavior,andessential issuessuchasthenumberofpeopleallowedineachinteractionshouldbedealtwith. I think thatsupervision isalsoan important element to avoidaccidentsduring theinteraction.

Anationalinventoryofmarinemammalsinconfinementisestablished,butnotavailabletothepublicyet,atleastonthewebsiteoftheMinistryofEnvironment72.

Transport is well regulated by Annex I and II andreinforcestherequirementsofCITESforinternational

transportation.Neverthelessitisfullofambiguoustermssuch as adequate size of containers or appropriateventilation. Without specification these terms areagainsusceptibletosubjectiveinterpretation.

According to the Environmental Law these rulesprohibitthecapturesofmarinemammalsinnationalwaters. In this case there arenoexceptions,whichareaverygoodmeasure,consideringthatthecaptiveindustrytendstocaptureundertheexcuseofscientificpurposes.

Art. 24 establishes that the capture of Marine Mammals in national waters of Dominican Republic is prohibited, in accordance with Law 64-00.

Italsoforbidsphysicalabuseasamethodoftraining,but without defining the term *physical abuse* thisprohibition is not operative for inspection or legalactions.

Twoclearprohibitionsarethatnocalveunderayearof age or females during the last three months ofgestationperiodcanbeusedininteractionactivities.Anotherprohibitionisthatofdruguseondolphinstoeasehumaninteraction73.

DolphinimportsarepermittedunderCITESconditionsandaccordingtothenationaldecreefortheapplicationofCITES.Article27 intends tobestricter regardingthemeasurestoimport,prohibitingtheimportationofdolphins thatmighthaveuseda technique implyingcruelty,orharassment.

Art.27 establishes that the import of marine mammals is prohibited when the animals have been captured using methods that imply cruelty, mistreatment, harassment or suffering74.

65DecretoNo.233-96del3dejulio,1996Artículo22.66BoneliIdelisa.ElSantuariodemamiferosmarinosdelaRepublicaDominicana.GarantiadeConservacionparalasBallenasJorobadas.UNEP(DEC)/CARWG.27/REF.10.Bridgetown,Barbados,July18,2005.67Ley64-00.Art.175.68LeySectorialdePescayAcuiculturaNo.307del200.69ResolutionNo.01/2008queapruebaelReglamentosobrelatenecia,manejoyexhibicióndeespeciesdemamíferosmarinosenlaRepublicaDominicana.January22nd,2008.70Reglamentosobrelatenecia,manejoyexhibicióndeespeciesdemamíferosmarinosenlaRepublicaDominicana.Arts12-18.Salinitymustbebetween18-36ppm.Temperatureofwater.January22nd2008.71Opcit,art19.

72Theonlyofficialdataistheoneprovidedbyenvironmentalauthoritiesduringourvisittothecountry.WeaskedforthisinformationundertheLawofInformationandTransparency.InformationwassentviaemailonMarch17,2007.73Opcit.Art.26and28.74AlanizYolanda,RojasLaura.DELFINARIOS.AGTEditor,Mexico2007(p.47-52).



CHAPTER 4:CONCLUSIONS ANDRECOMMENDATIONS


General activities and features of facilities

Mexicostartedactivities intheearlyseventies,whileDominicanRepublicbeganin1995.Mexicocurrentlyhas 260 dolphins in 21 facilities while DominicanRepublic exhibits 19dolphins in 3 facilities. 80%ofdolphinsinMexicobelongtojust4companies,whileinDominicanRepublicthestrongestcompanyseemsto be Ocean World with 66% of the total captivedolphins.

A common feature is that the oldest facilities areconcrete tanks, while the newest ones are built inmarineenclosures.

Activitiesinbothcountriesareverysimilar.Therearestandardshows,butSWTDprogramsremainasthetopandmostprofitableactivity.

Thefacilitiestendtobebuiltinorneartouristyareasandconstituteoneofthemostpopularamenitiesforthepublic,whonormallyhavenoknowledgeof theconditionsandthequalityoflifeoftheanimalsbehindthestage.

BothMexicoandDominicanRepublichavethesametype of facilities,with the only exception ofDolphinIsland,whichislocatedalittlefartherfromthecoastandthereforehasbettercurrents.

Regarding the quality of enclosures, all facilitiesdescribedhavegeometricalshapes,withsquareseapensandpoolsasthepredominantshape.Thiskindofenclosureisdemonstratedtocauseboredomandstress.Marineenclosuresaresupposedtobebetterthanconcretetanks,sincenaturalwaterandcurrents

are available and natural sounds can be heard bydolphins75.

In none of the 24 facilities studiedwere there toys,challenges,andrefugeorsanctuaryareastopreventdolphinsfrombecomingboredorevenaggressivetooneanotherduring“freetime”,exceptforthetrainingreceivedbetweeninteractingsessions.

During the day it is possible to find three differentphasesfordolphins:aphaseofimplosionandinvasioninwhich lotsofpeopleandtrainersarriveand jumpinto thewater to interact.This isaccompaniedwithphysical invasion and forced interaction, screams,whistles,music (sometimes), and food.Thesecondphaseisanabandonphaseinwhichdolphinsareleftalonewithoutsanctuarypensorpools tohide fromthepublicorthenoise,havingnothingtodo.

Thelastphaseisoftotalabandonmentwithoutmusic,noiseoranypersonuntilthenextdaywhenthefacilityopens.

OneimportantdifferenceisthattheDolphinAssistedTherapy has not been established in DominicanRepublicyet.ThismustbereinforcedbylawtoavoidDATfromspreadinginDominicanRepublic.

Neverthelessthereisnolawnowtoestablishsuchaprohibition. In theseconditions it isonlyamatteroftime to seeDAT inDominicanRepublic. Big effortsmust be made to prevent the development of thisactivityinthecountry.

75Couquiad,Laurence,2005.Asurveyofenvironmentsofcetaceaninhumancare.AquaticMammals(2005)31(3).

CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 45


CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 4746

Graphic 10PercentageofdolphinsimportedforMexicoandDominicanRepublic,

percountryoforigin2009(asreported)76.

Sources:DireccióndeBiodiversidadyVidaSilvestre.Informesobredelfines.SecretariadeEstadodeMedioAmbienteyRecursosNaturales.DataobtainedtroughtheOfficeofAccessofinformationandtheLawof

Transparency.March19,2009OfficialanswersundertheTransparencyLaw;numbers:1600010703,1600297205,00016000298005,and

0001600016206.SemarnattoCOMARINO.(Alaniz&Rojas,Opcit)

% of captive dolphins, by country of Mexico and Dominican Republic, 2009

57

Capture NativeWaters

Japan

Honduras

Cuba

1050

4.20

250

80

Mexico

Dominican Republic

76DireccióndeBiodiversidadyVidaSilvestre.Informesobredelfines.SecretariadeEstadodeMedioAmbienteyRecursosNaturales.DataobtainedtroughtheOfficeofaccesstoinformationandtheLawofTransparency.March19,2009.OfficialanswersunderTransparencyLawnumbers:1600010703,1600297205,00016000298005,and0001600016206.SemarnattoCOMARINO.(Alaniz&Rojas,Opcit).

77LeyGeneraldeMedioAmbienteyRecursosNaturales.Ley64-00,Article140.DominicanRepublic,August18,2000.78Reeves,R.R.Smith.B.D.,E.A.andNorbartolodiSciara,G.(2003).Dolphins,WhalesandPorpoises,2002-2010.ConservationActionfortheWorldCetaceans.IUCN/SSCCetaceanSpecialistGroup,IUCN,SwitzerlandandUK(p.139).79DecretoNacionaldeAplicaciondelaConvecionCITESNo1288-04.October1st,2004.80LeyGeneraldeVidaSilvestre.Art.55.2000.

Imports

BothMexicoandDominicanRepublicbeganactivitieswith captures in national waters, but both suppliedrequirementswithimportsmostlyfromCuba.ThisfactmeansCubahasbeencapturingdolphinsmassivelysincetheearly90’s,withanunknownimpactonwildpopulations to supply the captive industry in bothcountries

All inall,Cuba is themaindolphinprovider forbothcountries. It is very important tomention thatCubasigned and ratified the CITES Convention in 1990,andtheSPAWProtocolin1998.

As we have noted, CITES requires exports ofspecimensfromAnnexII,suchasdolphins,tohaveaNonDetrimentalFindingby thescientificauthorityofthecountry(ArticleIV,2,a). It isveryunlikelythatthisNDFhasbeen strictly done for all thedolphinsexportedfromCuba.Evenmoreworryingisthefactthat Cuba is clearly violating the SPAW Protocolsince it forbids the trade of listed animals, such asdolphins.

Thisdoesnotexcludetheothercountriesfrombuyingand trading dolphins illegally. That is the case ofDominicanRepublic,whoissignatoryofbothCITES

and the SPAW Protocol. Article 25 of the ProtocolcannotbeusedtoexpresstheprimacyofCITESovertheProtocol.Ithasbeensetclearlythatitcannotbeseenasaclauseof exception.Evenmore,nationallawofDominicanRepublic expresses in itsGeneralLawofEnvironment,that“according to International Treaties signed by Dominican State it is forbidden to hunt, fish, capture, harass, mistreat, kill, traffic, import, export, trade, manufacture or elaborate crafts, as well as exhibit and illegally possess endangered species”77.

Therefore, captures taken from Mexico andCuba, among others have raised the attention ofscientists:78

Removal of live cetaceans from the wild, for captive display and/or research, is equivalent to incidental or deliberate killing, as the animals brought into captivity (or killed during capture operations) are no longer available to help maintain their natural populations.

Live-capture activities involving bottlenose dolphins (both Tursiops truncatus and T. aduncus), Irrawaddy dolphins, and Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphins have taken place in various countries during recent years (e.g., Cuba, Bahamas, Mexico, Guinea-Bissau, Cambodia, and Myanmar), without adequate assessment of wild populations and with little or no public disclosure of the numbers taken.

As a general principle, dolphins should not be captured or removed from a wild population unless that specific population has been assessed and it has been determined that a certain amount of culling can be allowed without reducing the population’s long-term viability or compromising its role in the ecosystem. Such an assessment, including delineation of stock boundaries, abundance, reproductive potential, mortality, and status (trend) cannot be achieved quickly or inexpensively, and the results should be reviewed

by an independent group of scientists before any captures are made. Responsible operators (at both the capturing end and the receiving end) must show a willingness to invest substantial resources in assuring that proposed removals are ecologically sustainable.

Regarding imports from Honduras to DominicanRepublic, it is also likely that captures and tradefromHondurasistakingplacewithouttheNDFfromscientific authorities. The administrative authoritiesofDominicanRepublicareobligedtogiveanimportpermitonlywhenitisgrantedthatthespeciesinvolvedarenotimpactedandaNDFisrequired,accordingtotheNationalDecreefortheapplicationoftheCITESConvention79.

In the same way, Mexico could be violating ArticleXIV of CITES by giving permits to import dolphinsfromCubawithoutanNDF.NotonlytheConstitutionmakes International Treaties compulsory, but alsotheGeneralWildlife Lawexpressly obliges to followthe CITES Convention in any international trade ofspecimensofspeciesunderAppendixI,II,andIII80.

Though theSolomon Islandswere notmembers ofCITES at the time of capture and trade toMexico,Mexicowasandshouldhavepreventedthemassiveimportof28dolphinsthatclearlyweretakenfromthewildmakinganimportantimpactonpopulations.

The same goes for imports from Japan in whichanimalsarecapturedduring“drivefisheries”,inwhichwhole populations are exterminated in brutal ways.Mexico should have been more cautious with thedolphinimportscarriedoutduringaperiodofatleasttenyearsbeforetheimportban.Adetailedresearchon permits and NDF would reveal all imports wereillegal.

On the other handMexico should ratify the SPAWProtocolandfulfillinternationalcompromises.

CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS


4948

Domestic Laws

Mexico has banned captures and imports recently,but there isnotagoodcontrolof thehusbandryofcaptivedolphins.Theregulation81forcaptivehandlingwasweakenedwhentheindustrystartedparticipatingmassively. Many important measures were deletedsuch as sanctuary and buffer zones, or the strictregulationofpersonperdolphinininteractiveSWTD.

DolphinAssistedTherapy(DAT)isoccurringinaclearlyillegalwaywithnoone tostop it.Healthauthoritieshavedeclared it isnotconsideredahealth therapy,whilstenvironmentalofficesgivetheDATpermits.ThiscontradictionshouldberesolvedbyadecreefromtheHealthMinistrytoprohibitDolphinsAssistedTherapy,duetothemythsinvolvedandtherisksofdamageandzoonosisforparticipants.TheEnvironmentalMinistryshould stop invading competencies by avoidinggettinginvolvedinhealthissues.

Theregulationoncaptivedolphinsshouldberevisedand important issues such as the prohibition oftraveling shows with marine mammals must berecognizedagainbyGeneralWildLifeLaw.

Areasofrefuge,sanctuaries,andbufferzonesshouldbe implemented both in Mexico and DominicanRepublic.

TheregulationofSWTDprogramsmustbereinforcedwithaseriousreviewofhowmanypeoplecanbewith

dolphinspersession,andhowmanysessionscanadolphinwork.

Measurestoavoidboringandstereotypicalbehaviorsshould be implemented in all facilities, such asenvironmentalenrichment,changeofthesquareandgeometricshapesforpens,soil,toys,andchallengessimilartothoseinthewild.Thereshouldat leastbeoneenclosurebigenoughsodolphinscanswimlongandfast.

Alloftheseprogramsareregularnowinzoos,andyetlacking indolphinaria.Companiesmakemuchmoreprofitthanzoos,sothiskindofprogramsshouldbecompulsory by law, both inMexico and DominicanRepublic.

In the same way and according to the knowledgeemergingfromscience,concretetanksaretheworstfacilitiesfordolphins.Thesefacilitiesshouldbeclosedand sea pens should be larger and have effectivecontingencymeasures.

Both in Mexico and Dominican Republic, loss anddeathofdolphinsduetohurricanesandbadhandlinghasbeenregistered.Environmentalauthoritiesshouldestablish legal contingencymeasures for caretakersto undertake as a matter of responsibility for theanimals.

81DiarioOficialdelaFederación,August27,2004.NormaOficialMexicana.NOM-EM-135-SEMARNAT-2004.Paralaregulacióndelacapturaparainvestigación,transporte,exhibición,manejoymanutencióndemamíferosmarinosencautiverio.

References

Acasuso Signoret, Francisco (1981). Reporte de los HallazgosPatológicos en diez delfines (Tursiops truncatus). Tesis paraobtener el Título de Medico Veterinario Zootecnista. Fac. deVeterinaria.UNAM,Mexico.

AlanizYolanda,RojasLaura(2007).DELFINARIOS.Mexico:AGTEditor-Comarino.

CodigoPenalFederal.Art.420

ConstituciónPolíticadelosEstadosUnidosMexicanos.

Couquiad,Laurence(2005).Asurveyofenvironmentsofcetaceaninhumancare.AquaticMammals.

Decreto Nacional de Aplicación de la Convencion CITES No1288-04.October1st,2004.

DiarioOficialdelaFederación(DOF).

DiarioOficialdelaFederación,August27,2004.

DireccióndeBiodiversidadyVidaSilvestre.Informesobredelfines.SecretariadeEstadodeMedioAmbienteyRecursosNaturales.DataobtainedtroughtheOfficeofAccessofinformationandtheLawofTransparency(March19,2009).

Frohoff,T.G.(2000).BehavioralIndicatorsofstressinodontocetesduring interactions with humans - A preliminary review anddiscussion.InternationalWhalingCommissionScientificCommitteeSC/52/WW2.

FUNDEMAR (2008). Los Delfines En Cautiverio En RepúblicaDominicana.Informeborrador.

LeyGeneraldeEqiilibrioEcologicoylaProteccionalAmbiente.

LeyGeneraldeMedioAmbienteyRecursosNaturales.Ley64-00.SantoDomingo,DominicanRepublic.August18,2000

LeyGeneraldeVidaSilvestre.

Marino,LoriandLilienfield,S. (1998).DolphinAssistedTherapy:flaweddata,flawedconclusions.Anthrozoos,11(4),194-2000.

NORMA Oficial Mexicana NOM-059-ECOL-2001, Protecciónambiental-EspeciesnativasdeMéxicodeflorayfaunasilvestres-Categoríasderiesgoyespecificacionesparasuinclusión,exclusiónocambio-Listadeespeciesenriesgo.

NormaOficialMexicana.NOM-EM-135-SEMARNAT-2004.Paralaregulacióndelacapturaparainvestigación,transporte,exhibición,manejoymanutencióndemamíferosmarinosencautiverio.

Reeves,R.R.Smith.B.D.,E.A.andNorbartolodiSciara,G.(2003).Dolphins,WhalesandPorpoises,2002-2010.ConservationActionfortheWorldCetaceans.IUCN/SSCCetaceanSpecialistGroup,IUCN,SwitzerlandandUK(p.139).Reglamentosobrelatenecia,manejoyexhibiciondeespeciesdemamiferosmarinos en laRepublicaDominicana. January 22nd,2008.

Rose,Naomi,Farinato(2009).TheCaseAgainstMarineMammalsinCaptivity.

SISI.SEMARNAT.Folio137608.January2009.

UNEP(DEC)/CARIG.17/INF.5LegalAssessmentof“Compatibility”issues between the Protocol Concerning Specially ProtectedAreasandWildlife (SPAW)totheCartagenaConventionandtheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpecies(CITES).

Internet References

<http://www.oceanworldadventurepark.com/>

<www.biodiv.org>

<http://www.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/closindx.htm>

<www.cites.org>

<ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/005/v9878e/v9878e00.pdf>

<http://www.cep.unep.org/welcome/cartagena-convention>

<http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/nafta-alena/texte/index.aspx>

<http://www.cec.org/pubs_info_resources/law_treat_agree/naaec/naaec03.cfm?varlan=English>

CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS


5150

Annex I

InventoryofcaptivedolphinsMexico,updatedOctober2008.

Number Facility Species Sex Origin Name

1Aragon, DF Tursiops truncatus M Mexico

Holbox

2 Duncan

3Atlantis, DF Tursiops truncates F Mexico

Beta

4 Cometa

5 Tamy

6

Aventuras Discovery

Tursiops truncatus

M

Cuba

Tritón

7 Poseidón

8 Apolo

9 Simbad

10F

Azteca

11 Aurora

12

Cabo Dolphin Tursiops truncatus

MMexico Risho

13

Japan

Monet

14F

Ende

15 Merian

16M

Renoir

17 Tolouse

18 Dali

19F

Frida

20

Mexico

Jenny

21M

Baxal

22 Richi

23 F Isis

24

Centro de Interacción Marina San

Carlos / Guaymas

Tursiops truncatus gillii

F

Mexico

Chirris

25

Tursiops truncatus

Ketsi

26 L.Flyca

27 M Nicolas

28 F Olin

29M

Mauricio

30 HijodeOsiris

31 F Osiris

32

CONVIMAR Tursiops truncatus F Mexico

Mich

33 Ximena

34 Juna

35 Atzin

36 Hera

37 Kanti

38 Zayrus

39

Convivencia en Xel-Há

Tursiops truncatus

M

Cuba Itzman

40

Mexico

Kanab

41 Dzul

42 F Sas

43

M

Ko’

44 Pa’al

45Cuba

Pocholo

46 Pantaleon

47 Kinish

48Mexico

Wa’ay

49 Boox

50 Nuk’ta

51Cuba

Olofi

52 Owen

53

Delfi nes Interactivos

Tursiops truncatus

F

CubaXena

54 Odette

55 Mexico Pulha

56Cuba

Awilix

57 M Pach/Pax

58F

Mexico

Lol-ha

59 Kimba

60 M Balam

61

Delfi niti, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

Tursiopstruncatus

M Mexico Sindato

62 F

Cuba

Nena

63 M Chico

64 F Habana

65M

Viento

66

Mexico

Chocho

67 Chame

68F

Kaly

69 Brisa

70 Lluvia

71 M Sindato

72 F Sindato

73 M Due


74

Dolphin Adventures 2, Nuevo Vallarta

Tursiops truncatus gillii

F

Mexico

Tinda

75 Nuna

76 Aclina

77 Yagalla

78 Karina

79 Yashui

80 Shani

81 Nuba

82 M Gandalf

83 F Lluvia

84M

Alii

85 Tlatoani

86 Tursiops truncatus Nemo

87Tursiops truncatus gillii

F

Kaitza

88 Mila

89 Ukalaii

90 Tursiops truncatus Dali


M Nachito

92F

Aqua

93 Tursiops truncatus Tonali

94

Dolphin Discovery, COZUMEL

Tursiops truncatus

FCuba

Amaya

95 Athenea

96 Shadia

97 Regina

98 Eva

99

M

Titán

100 Mexico Itzamna/Kawak

101 Cuba Pegasso

102 Mexico Ak’ab/Chaac

103F

Cuba Scarlett

104 Mexico Ixchel/Nusca’a

105 M Cuba Marte

106F

Mexico

HijadeAmaya

107 Marina

108 M S/d

109 F Vale

110

M

Tatich

111 Louis

112 Romulo

113Cuba

Estefan

114 Zeus

115 ¿?Mexico

Hijo/Regina

116F

Musa

117

Cuba

Malinche

118M

Calypso

119 Picasso

120

F

Fátima

121 Raquel

122 Odisea

123 Venus

124

M

Mexico Lewis

125Cuba

Neptuno

126 Júpiter

127 Shelley

128F

Mexico

Frida

129 Audrey

130M

Sindato

131 Jogo

132 Davinci

133

F Cuba

Foxie

134 Ninfa

135 Ariel

136 Belle

137 Dori

138 Nala

139

Dolphin Discovery,

Puerto AventurasTursiops truncatus

F

Mexico Madona

140

Cuba

Olympia

141 Daniela

142 Lissy

143M

Simba

144Mexico

Remo

145 Capi


5352 CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

146

F

Maggie

147

Cuba

Hera

148 Estrella

149 Lulú

150 Hellen

151 M Icaro

152 FMexico

Izamal

153 M Kich

154 F

Cuba

Gioconda

155 M Atlas

156

F

Alexia

157 Xtabay

158 América

159 Diana

160 Cielo

161 Nenis

162

Mexico

Krista

163 Sindato

164 Sindato

165 Sindato

166

M

Ángel

167 Cuba Hércules

168Mexico

Luke

169 Sindato

170 ¿? Hijo/Madona

171

Dolphinaris Cancun

Tursiops aduncus

M

AustraliaTsunami

172 Azul

173 Mexico(nac.) Pablo

174

Australia

Tulagi

175 F Solei

176M

Alex

177 Eco

178 F Honiara

179M

Kili-Kili

180 Mexico Solomon

181F

Cozumel

182 Asia

183

Australia

Oceania

184M

Squalo

185 Plata

186 Mercurio

187 F España

188 M Sidney

189 F Fiji

190

M

Mincho

191Mexico

Flex

192 Diego

193 Australia Satu

194

Dolphinaris COZUMEL

Tursiops truncatus

FMexico

Athena

195 Nike

196 Simo

197 Tursiops truncates Aphrodite

198

Tursiops truncatus

Atlantis

199 Nautica

200 Electra

201 Marina

202 Olympia

203 Atlas

204 Troya

205 ¿? Esparta

206 M Cuba Ajitzi


F

México

Ashin

208M

Amizcle

209 Tursiops truncatus Lynco

210Ferias III Tursiops truncatus

M

Mexico

Vairon

211 F Coca

212 M Zeus

213

Operadora Nacional

de Parques Recreativos

Tursiops truncatus

M

Mexico

Vayú

214 Chuy

215 Yum-Ka

216 F Mayte



217

Parque XCARET

Tursiops truncatus

F Mexico Kelem

218 M

Cuba

Polifemo/Hunabku

219F

Ch’en

220 Tursiops truncates Quiché

221

Tursiops truncatus

Mexico

Xtabay

222M

Kisin

223 Kaák

224

F

Cuba

Baili

225 Nicte-Há

226 Cab

227

Mexico

Palú

228 Maya

229 Kin

230 Fanny

231 Melissa

232 Tapish

233 Ik

234 Abril

235 M Huinic

236 F Xunáh

237 M Alux

238

F

Chiquilá

239 Ixchel

240 Kinam

241 Ka’an

242 M Wayak

243 F Ixnuk

244 M Ich

245

F

Tos’ha

246 Halkab

247 Kux

248 Ikal

249 Xi’ik

250 M Cuba Paco/Halach

251F Mexico

Kanek

252 Kóokay

253Reino Marino Tursiops truncatus gillii

FMexico

Hannah

254 M Tango


5756

255

Via Delphi Dream Tursiops truncatus

F

Mexico

Polé

256 Xel-Ha

257 M Síij

258F

Xcaret

259 Kichpam

260 Sáasil

Source:www.sisi.gob.mx.Folio137608.October,2008.

Annex II

ImportsofDolphinsbycountryandyearofexport,specie,andnumberofdolphinsimported,Mexico1995-2006.

Year Country Species Number

1995

Cuba

Tursiops truncatus 2

Stenella attenuata 6

1996

Tursiops truncatus

4

1997 13

199813

Russia Delphinapterus leucas 2

1999Cuba Tursiops truncatus

10

200014

Japan Tursiops trucatus gillii 4

2001

Cuba Tursiops truncatus

10

2002 14

200310

I.Solomon Tursiops aduncus 28

2004Cuba Tursiops truncatus

26

200522

Japan Tursiops truncatus gillii 7

2006 Cuba Tursiops truncatus 4

Total 187

Source:AlanizYolanda,Rojas,Laura.DELFINARIOS.AGTEditor,2007.México.Sources:Officialanswersfromrequestofinformation;numbers1600010703,4ofJulyofl2003,Folios0001600297205,25thjanuary,2006;00016000298005,26thjanuary,2006,and0001600016206.


Name Species Sex OriginPrincess

MotherofAbaco,Salvador,andShawn

Tursiops truncates

FemaleBornin1967

CaptureImportedfromSeaFloor

aquariumNassau

Auntie VMotherofMissMerlin

FemaleBorn1976

CaptureAbaco,Nassau

StormyMale

Bornin1976CapturedinAbaco,1993

ChipyMotherofAndy,Nina

andGussymay

FemaleBornin1976

CapturedinAbaco,1989

Miss MerlinFemale

October23,1998

Captiveborn

AbacoFemale

August21,2000

ShawnMale

Sep26,1996

AndyMale

November2,1994

NinaMotherofCacique

FemaleMarch1992

DotMotherofSocca,

GoombayandLagunaFemale CapturedinAbaco,1989

SoccaFemale

October8,1999

Captiveborn

GoombayMale

January10,2003

SalvadorMale

May8,2004

Gussie MaeFemale

February9,2006

CaciqueMale

September18,2006

LagunaFemale

October17,2006

Source:www.dolphinencounters.com/family-dolphintree.php

Annex III

InventoryofDolphinsinDominicanRepublic2009(OfficialData).

Number Facility Species Sex Origin Name

1

Dolphin Islands Tursiops truncatus

M

Cuba

Javier

2 Toni

3F

Sasha

4 Mary

5 M Juancho

6F

Vicky

7 DominicanRepublic

Martha

8

Manatí Park Bavaro Tursiops truncatus

MCuba

Cain

9 F Liset

10 ¿?DominicanRepublic

¿?

11

Ocean World Cofresí

Tursiops truncatus

M

Honduras

Bucito

12 Chico

13 F Chiquita

14 M Dexter

15F

Narisa

16 Serena

17

Cuba

Boomer

18 M Ciceron

19 F Snowy

20 M Niagara

21

F

Sharky

22

¿?

Lily

23 Sony

24 Sondy

25 M Sinka

26 F Simbo

Annex IV

InventoryofDolphinsatOceanWorld2008.



WorldSocietyfortheProtectionofAnimals(WSPA)RegionalOfficeforMexico,CentralAmericaandtheCaribbeanT.+(506)2562-1200F.+(506)2562-1225P.O.Box516-3000,Heredia,CostaRicawww.wspa-latinoamerica.org|[email protected]

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