Dolphins' importation meets with disapproval

The importation of six bottlenose dolphins to Malta for dolphinarium confinement has been met with disdain by Bicref, the Biological Conservation Research Foundation.

The foundation said Malta should not import or export any wild marine mammals or any other vulnerable and protected species.

It said dolphins should not be caught from the wild to be kept in captivity unless they required urgent assistance.

But six bottlenose dolphins captured in Cuban waters were recently imported to Malta for dolphinarium confinement, the organisation said.

Bicref is an environmental non-government organisation that promotes scientific conservation research and awareness with particular focus on the marine ecosystem.

Anyone wishing to contact it on this or any other local environmental issue may write to Bicref, PO Box 30, Hamrun.

http://sites.keyworld.net/bicref/