FEARING that the government of St. Lucia will proceed with its plans to construct a dolphinarium at Pigeon Point without any public consultation with the people of Gros Islet and the nation at large, the leader of the Lucian People’s Movement, Therold Prudent, is issuing a plea to Mr. Lenard “Spider” Montoute to explain to his constituents where he stands on this issue.
Moreover, given the local sensitivities involved in the 1973 construction of the causeway that culminated in the near destruction of Gros Islet’s once thriving fishing industry, Mr. Prudent states that “Mr. Montoute’s failure to take a public position on the matter is a cause for serious concern.”
He further states that, during and after the construction of the causeway, “Mr. Montoute was among a growing number of youth from Gros Islet who, for many years, curtailed their politics to vehemently oppose Sir John Compton and the United Workers Party based on public sentiment that the reckless actions of his government had done irreparable damage to the ecological system in and around the waters of Gros Islet.”
Therefore, “to think that today, Mr. Montoute is now a part of the very same political organisation he once opposed, and to which he once ascribed blame for Gros Islet’s ecological disruption and the economic deprivation of its people, but has refused to stand up to his prime minister is unfathomable.”
In the execution of his responsibilities to the people of Gros Islet as their district representative, Mr. Prudent states that “Mr. Montoute must be reminded that he was given the very rare opportunity of returning to St. Lucia’s parliament in 2016 on the premise that he would safeguard the interests of his constituents and not capitulate to any special interest nor foreign corporate powers whose proposals or so-called investments are adverse to the well-being of the people of Gros Islet and are designed to benefit only a few.”
Finally, in case Mr. Montoute cares little about the implications of his silence, Mr. Prudent has provided the following information in hopes that he will finally awaken from his slumber.
It is a fact that the proposed dolphinarium will
A) Destroy the remaining coral reefs, which the great Jacques Cousteau described as “having a similar formation” to that of the Great Barrier Reef after he dove off the coast of Pigeon Island in the early 1970s during his visit to St. Lucia;
B) Result in the deposit of large amounts of faecal matter along the Gros Islet waterfront and the surrounding beaches due to the current in and around that area and its constant movement towards the shore;
C) Increase the chances of residents and visitors contracting rashes and skin-related diseases due, in part, to the polluted waters of Gros Islet;
D) Create very few jobs, which will not make a significant dent in the unemployment situation facing Gros Islet and the nation;
E) Attract sharks, thus making the entire bay a dangerous location for sea baths;
F) Destroy the remaining fish population; and
G) Cause our nation to be further blacklisted for engaging in inhumane practices that are adverse to the protection of mammals and other animals.
Perhaps there will be discussion of, among other things, the dolphinarium when the Foreign Minister of Mexico visits next month given that one of the partners is rumoured (unconfirmed) to be based in Mexico.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Mexicos_foreign_minister_to_visit_St_Lucia?profile=1228
Dolphinariums, years ago, were popular. People in the western world now see them for what they are regarding the cruelty of captivity.
As a point of fact, the public opinion about dolphinariums is such that they are gradually being phased out in countries such as the United States, Canada and in Mexico:
“The company (Seaworld)… eventually acceded to critics who said killer whales should not be held in captivity. Killer whales currently living at SeaWorld parks will live out their lives..”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/02/27/seaworld-ceo-joel-manby/376136002/
“The public acceptance of keeping these majestic creatures in captivity has changed and we think the law should also change to reflect that so we’re going to ban the taking of cetaceans,” Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc told reporters in Vancouver. “We think Canadians massively support that principle.”
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-government-ban-cetaceans-1.4524432
“Mexico City has just banned keeping dolphins in captivity, and advocates are hoping the rest of the country will soon follow in putting an end to dolphin confinement and exploitation.”
https://www.care2.com/causes/victory-mexico-city-says-no-more-captive-dolphins.html
And, where will the money for this come from and what will St. Lucia have to give up, note below the planning and financial aspects, something that St. Lucia does not have a strong record on…
“The RSPCA said sea pens can provide a more natural environment for captive dolphins but the process needs careful consideration, substantial planning and will also require substantial financial support.”
https://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/is-a-dolphin-sea-pen-in-the-harbour-the-best-optio/3344337/
Vancouver Aquarium announces it will cease keeping whales and dolphins in captivity in Stanley Park
https://www.straight.com/news/1021281/vancouver-aquarium-announces-it-will-cease-keeping-whales-and-dolphins-captivity
“…most aquariums across Canada have discontinued exhibits of large marine mammals…”
https://www.straight.com/news/584636/vancouver-aquarium-bucks-national-trend-keeping-whales-and-dolphins
“Thomas Cook stops promoting SeaWorld online following animal rights protests… The decision comes after animal rights group PETA put pressure on the holiday firm, which resulted in 22,000 people sending in emails in agreement”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/5520384/thomas-cook-suspends-online-promotions-of-seaworld-after-animal-rights-protests/
“Although these tourist attractions slightly vary from one to the next, the fate of these incredible animals is the same. These dolphins are either born in cramped tanks in captivity or brutally kidnapped from the wild, like in the infamous bloodbath known as the Taiji dolphin hunt in Japan. These greed-fueled hunts are violent and deadly for many dolphins, and those who survive are often captured, separated from their tight-knit family pod, and sold to aquariums, marine parks, zoos, and other facilities all around the world.”
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/end-captive-swim-with-dolphin-attractions/
And here is a related on-line petition:
https://www.thepetitionsite.com/770/122/808/demand-an-end-to-swim-with-the-dolphin-facilities/?TAP=1732&src=referrer&campaign=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onegreenplanet.org%2Fnews%2Fend-captive-swim-with-dolphin-attractions%2F
HERE IS AN IDEA — Perhaps consider starting an online petition on http://www.change.org, get the word out to organizations such as PETA, onegreeplanet.org and other anti-cruelty advocacy organizations and also on assorted tourism networks, and the petition could probably get 50,000 signatures!
God Bless
Those who are concerned, where-ever in the world they may be, have opportunities to contact the Government directly and express their views one way or the other and thereby join the conversation:
PM’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/opmsaintlucia/
E-mail:
[email protected]
PM Office Telephones:
758-468-2166
758-453-7352
758-468-2142
758-468-2152
758-468-2160
Cabinet Secretary:
758-468-2115
Ministry of Tourism, Information and Broadcasting:
758-468-4629
[email protected]
Get Involved. Ask More. Be Heard.