Up to 200 dolphins have been captured by local fishermen

SOLOMON ISLANDS/MEXICO - New information obtained by WSPA, has confirmed that the capture and subsequent import of the Solomon Island dolphins by Mexico was carried out under illegal circumstances and therefore in violation of CITES requirements, of which Mexico is a signatory.

Twenty-eight dolphins arrived in Mexico today - despite WSPA's protestations that the trade might be illegal and should be stopped - with up to another 170 still in sea cages in the Solomon Islands. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), states that export permits shall only be granted when an appropriate equivalent of a CITES Management Authority in the Solomon Islands has advised that the dolphins were not captured in contravention of local laws. The Solomon Islands law states that any foreign venture must have approval from both the central and provincial government to carry out its business. The application to the Foreign Investment Board clearly states provincial approval is required, but recently unearthed material verifies that a provincial permit from Guadalcanal province - which makes up the main island, including Honiara, from where the majority of the dolphins have been caught - was not given

Export permits shall also only be granted according to CITES when an appropriate equivalent of a CITES Scientific Authority has advised that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species. As there is currently not enough data on wild dolphin stock in the Solomon Islands, a precautionary measure would be necessary to ensure that wild stocks are not overexploited.

Foreign business interests are believed to be collecting and training a number of the dolphins for shipment abroad, where a single captive dolphin can be worth up to $30,000. WSPA is concerned at reports of plans to import a number of these dolphins for use in controversial captive swim-with-dolphin programmes, at the very time when a ban on the capture of dolphins from Mexican waters is going through the legislative process.

At least four dolphins have died as a direct result of being incarcerated in the makeshift sea cages and eyewitness accounts have confirmed that the dolphins are not being fed enough or being given adequate veterinary care. Long plane journeys such as the one the 28 dolphins were being subjected to are excruciating for these marine mammals, as their internal organs are susceptible to being damaged by their body weight once out of water.

Leah Garces, WSPA Head of Campaigns, said, " We are very concerned with the welfare of the remaining dolphins in the Solomon Islands. Some of them haven been there since November. WSPA finds it appalling that 28 dolphins have been taken to Mexico under questionable circumstances for an industry we are completely opposed to - the animal entertainment industry. This situation is inexcusable and should serve as a grim example to ensure the dolphins left in the Solomon Islands will not be exported and will be released. "

Locals are also angry at the export. Chief Matthew Kuri, 98, from Gela Island, said there has not been a proper consultation with locals about the trade and the operation is illegal because traditional landowners had not given their approval. Dolphins have long been a cherished part of the Solomon Islands' cultural heritage. In certain areas, it is taboo to harm a dolphin, based on the ancient belief that humans with mystical powers could transform themselves into sea creatures.