NGOs call for ban on marine mammal imports

Cetfree, composed of a number of local animal rights NGOs, is calling on the environment minister to rectify the situation with regard to the importation of six new dolphins by revising the law and forbidding any further imports of marine mammals.

The NGOs are concerned that a law which served to protect marine mammals was changed, allowing the importation of the dolphins.

It is asking the authorities to demonstrate that the introduction of the new regulations followed the normal procedure required by the Environment Protection Act.

Cetfree also feels it is inconsistent for the authorities to try to protect wild dolphins in Maltese waters if they are not going to protect wild dolphins in other regions by allowing a trade to Malta.

It urged the minister to a full commitment to protecting cetaceans in all regions by banning any further trade into Malta and implementing the laws to protect dolphins in captivity.

Foreign organisations have now joined the local NGOs in their campaign against the controversial issue concerning the importation of the six dolphins into Malta.

The NGOs include International Animal Rescue, Marine Connection, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, World Society for the Protection of Animals, RSPCA International, The Humane Society of the United States/Humane Society International, Cetacean Society International and Earth Island Institute International Marine Mammal Project.

The local organisations, collectively known as Cetfree (for Cetacean Freedom), are International Animal Rescue (Malta), Nature Trust (Malta), World Animal Conscience, Moviment Graffiti, Island Sanctuary and Catcare Association.

They are concerned that new regulations have been passed rapidly, with no time for proper consultation and leading to the almost immediate importation of other dolphins.

The NGOs are also concerned that the dolphins were imported into Malta only a few days after the new laws were enforced.

Cetfree said there is no EU directive that obliges Malta to change the marine mammal protection regulations to allow the importation of other dolphins. The only directive applicable is the zoo directive, which is not yet implemented.

Cetfree is pleased with the support coming from international NGOs, representing millions of members.