November 2005

Under pressure from international animal protection groups and environmentalists and in recognition of their participation in SPAW (the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife Protocol), the government of the Netherlands Antilles adopted a policy stating that no new permits will be issued for captive dolphin facilities in the islands.

The policy, which unfortunately allows one final captive dolphin facility to be established in St. Maarten before taking effect, states that further proliferation of captive dolphin facilities is “undesirable, unwarranted, and will not be considered for the Netherlands Antilles.”

The new policy provides an exemption to Atlantida, a swim-with-the-dolphins facility preparing to set up shop in St. Maarten. The government granted the exemption to Atlantida based on the argument that the facility would contribute to the study of wild dolphin populations in the area of the islands.

WSPA, while pleased with the Netherlands Antilles policy to not allow future permits for captive dolphin displays, remains committed to protesting the establishment of Atlantida in St. Maarten. Please check back frequently for updates.

To read the Netherlands Antilles policy paper on captive dolphin programs, visit http://www.mina.vomil.an/News/news.html