For Immediate Release

November 3, 2011

Contacts:

Richard O’Barry
ricobarry@bellsouth.net
Cell: 1(786) 973-8618

Mark Berman
berman@earthisland.org
(510) 859-9146

Maldives WARNED!

Don’t Traffic in Live Dolphins

Proposed New Dolphinarium
Threaten Wild Dolphin Populations and|
Maldive’s Reputation as a Dolphin Safe Country

Environmentalists have warned the Maldives government that a new proposed dolphinarium, featuring dolphins caught in the wild, threatens both the health of wild dolphin populations and the Maldives’ reputation as a Dolphin Safe country.

International live dolphin traffickers are supplying dolphinariums around the world with live dolphins ripped from their families in the wild, stated Richard O’Barry, Director of Earth Island Institute’s Dolphin Project.  These traffickers care nothing for the good of the dolphins all they care about is the huge amount of money they get for capturing wild dolphins and selling them to other countries.  Traffickers may supply the Maldives’ dolphinarium from the Solomon Islands, Russia or Taiji, Japan, or even Maldives waters, resulting in wild dolphins condemned to lives in small tanks and the depletion of wild dolphin populations.

A live dolphin can be sold for as much as $300,000 or more.  Dolphins are sought for oceanariums and for swim with dolphins tourist attractions.

The Maldives’ tuna industry has adopted a policy to ensure that no dolphins are ever killed in tuna nets, notes Mark Berman, Associate Director of Earth Island Institute’s Dolphin Safe program.  That Dolphin Safe standard is respected all over the world.  If the Maldives’ government allows live dolphins to be imported into their country, the Dolphin Safe reputation of the Maldives will be jeopardized.  Major tuna importing nations will not buy tuna from governments that harm dolphins.

The Maldives is an international destination for tourists to experience that country’s wild places and beaches, added O’Barry.  There is no reason why the Maldives needs to take on this headache of importing a few live dolphins for the benefit of international traffickers.  We hope the Fisheries and other Departments of the Maldives’ government reject permits for dolphin imports and reaffirm the Maldives’ strong support for the protection of wild dolphins.

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 Earth Island Institute works to protect the cultural and biological diversity of the Earth.  The International Marine Mammal Project is focused on dolphins and whales and their ocean habitats.  For more information, go to:

     http://www.dolphinproject.org

Dolphins Today What more Tomorrow!?!

Dolphins can clearly be stated as the most popular sea creature known to man. With movie star publicity due to their friendly and playful nature, today dolphins are one of the main attractions of sea lovers. Quite sadly but now the dolphins face dangers from the their very keen observers; humans.

It is no secret that Dolphins are often mentioned in folk stories and children s bedtime books. The popularity of dolphins is now being over rated as some people wish to capture them and keep them in captivity and teach them cheap tricks for the amusement of few.

“Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in 17 genera. They vary in size from 1.2m (4ft) and 40kg (90lb) (Maui’s dolphin), up to 9.5m (30ft) and 10 tonnes (9.8 long tons; 11short tons) (the orca or killer whale). They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. The family Delphinidae is the largest in the Cetacean order, and evolved relatively recently, about ten million years ago, during the Miocene. “ – www.wikipedia.com

Dolphins have been captured for scientific research since the second world war, and it is known that the US Marines use Dolphins to mark sea mines other tasks. All scientific evidence shows that Dolphins have a much more closer bond to humans than any other animal or creature on earth. While their body temperature is 36.5 degree Celsius their social values amongst the groups and their naturally friendly attitude towards humans should be duly noted. Unfortunately within the past decade coastal swimmers and snorkelers have started reporting Dolphins attacking and behaving erratically in the presence of humans. This is natural as we are hunting and capturing Dolphins more than ever.

Maldives is one of the worlds most well known and respected dive destinations for decades. Our clean and luscious environment attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. It is my question to you would rather see a Dolphin performing tricks in a pool surrounded by hundreds of spectators or see them in pods of 15 swimming freely in the ocean?

I ask you would you prefer to see Eastern European salves performing in a Circus and forced to swim in a tank full of Piranhas? [http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/03/25/us-circus-idUSEIC57185920080325] If Dolphins can cry and feel emotions and have a smarter brain than some humans as well, would they not feel anything to be kidnapped as a baby from their parents and kept in captivity and forced to perform tricks?

When the Maldivian Cabinet decided to allow a Private company to create a “Dolphin Park” it is a sad day for nature loving conservationists and humanity itself. If it is their objective to create awareness and find greater understanding they should focus on Dolphin research in the their natural habitats. While the rest of the world is pushing towards a more natural environment observation of animals and sea creatures why should we endorse a course of action in the opposite direction? It is hard to understand the reasoning, and it should be the governments responsibility to give valid explanations for such a decision.

One of the local news of Maldives Haveeru put up a news article on their website  that “Government to lease lagoon to develop dolphin lagoon”. It is alarming and disturbing to hear or read about such kind developments in the Nation
Maldives has declared  its whales & dolphins as protected species and we always had peace of mind that no harm may come to them. As this unfolds little is known how this project would proceed.
A training center for dolphins or a lagoon were tourists would come up to see them by paying a fee to see them is out of the question as they all can see them in the wild every single day. Local resorts and dive centers have regular dolphin watching cruises that happen on a daily basis.
This act is both damaging for the image of Maldives where dolphins and whales live freely  enjoying  the ocean.
We ask the local community, NGO’s, snorkelers, Tour operators, dive centres, water sport centres, liveaboard and resort operators from all around the world to write and protest that this is simply wrong and that you do not want to see Dolphins, Whales and such in captivity.

To read the article in Haveeru news go to http://www.haveeru.com.mv/news/38459
Please voice out your concerns to the emails below
Presidents office of the Maldives
http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/Index.aspx?lid=6

npc@planning.gov.mv
Department of National Planning
Ministry of Finance and Treasury

Ameenee MaguMale’, 20125, Rep. of MaldivesMinistry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
5th Floor, velaanaage
Ameeru Ahmed Magu
Block 20096
Male’, Republic of Maldives
General Tel:
(+960)3323224
(+960)3323226
Fax: (+960)3322512
E-mail: info@tourism.gov.mv

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Joining the Coral Reef Research Unit of the Marine Research Centre (MRC) was a huge step towards my goal to contribute to safeguarding our reefs. My work involves monitoring of coral reefs in 15 sites throughout the Maldives from north to south. Monitoring involved laying a transect and assessing the coral cover, as well as taking count of both the invertebrates and fish populations. This has contributed greatly in increasing my awareness and knowledge on the health and well being of Maldivian reef ecosystems.

One of the best experiences I had after joining MRC was doing research diving at Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs). Diving at a FAD requires a special permit in the Maldives and I felt extremely lucky to get this opportunity. FADs are being used all around the world to help fishermen catch tuna and other such species of fish. The reason why tuna and other species aggregate around FADs is still unknown. At the 10 metre mark on the FAD mooring line there is a device which collects the signal from different species of fish that have been tagged by the MRC. This device has to be changed every 3 months. For further information about the FADs and the work being done at the MRC click here.

Diving at a FAD in the spectacular Indian Ocean was an incredible experience. You can see the mooring line attached to the FAD disappear into the vast blue world. The current can be very strong and sometimes it is tough to stay in the water without holding onto the mooring line, but the unbelievable view in the ocean makes up for this hardship.

Even on the sunniest of days with nice weather, the unpredictable swell can make it difficult to spot the FAD and sometimes it may take hours to find it. The current is usually very strong so we jump into the water away from the FAD so we can reach it by drifting with the current. Once we go beneath the waves its a whole new world. Visibility can be as good as 50 metres in every direction. There are schools of skip jack tuna circling the mooring line, groups of Silky Sharks swimming about, schools of Dolphin Fish, Wahoos, Rainbow Runners, Trevallies, varieties of jellyfish and other oceanic fish. Surprisingly we saw fishes that are normally seen at reefs such as Seargent Majors.

Each dive even at the same location is a breathtaking experience and is never the same; from the species we see to the conditions we experience. The world beneath the horizon has much beauty and I am in awe of it. It makes me want to contribute in protecting it’s treasures so that future generations can experience it as I have done. For this to be done, we cannot be dependent on one individual or organisation, we need there to be a collective effort by everyone so that our marine world can maintain its glory for the future and beyond.

Note: Diving at FADs is not legal under Maldivian Law and it should not be attempted in anyway. These dives was done with the approval of the authorities for research purpose. Further more mooring at the FADs is not allowed.

We would like to thank the crew of the Black Pearl for their hospitality, service and friendship. Also we thank all those who dived with us the past 9 days. It has been a whole lot of fun filled with many wonderful memories.

All good things must come to an end.

Loc: HP Reef

Dive 1 (morning)

HP Reef, North Male’ Atoll

We headed to HP Reef which is a Marine Protected Area of North Male’ Atoll. There was a slight incoming current which was just perfect. Too less current and the Soft Coral would not be blooming. If too much then the dive would be over too soon.  We entered into the blue water where the visibility was about 20m. As we drifted in the reef started to appear in a distance. A lone eagle ray was moving towards the blue from the ocean.  As soon as we got to the reef everyone became mesmerized by the beauty of the soft corals on the overhangs, the floor of the reef and the coral outcrops. Massive Dogtooth Tunas passed by close to the reef. At the bottom was school of Big Eye Travelly.  Fish life was abundant. Everyone took their own time to absorb in the beauty of this place. This dive site just got better and better as we moved along the reef. We did our safety stop on top of the reef where the depth about 8m.

Dive 2 (noon)

 Nassimo Thila

The Dive Guides asked gave everyone where they wanted to go and gave a bunch of choices. Everyone choose Nassimo Thila as they all really liked the late afternoon dive they did the previous day and wanted to see the place in good light. We a slight had out going and the visibility was good. Everyone managed to explore the best parts of the site. First we all looked at the coral outcrops and then moved shallow to see the overhangs. Fish life was abundant here as well. There were big Napoleon Wrasses, White Tip Sharks, Schools of Fusiliers, Dogtooth Tuna, Trevallies and many more. The sunlight did have a positive effect on the site as everything was lit up where as yesterday all was bit gloomy due to the weather and setting sun. Diving amongst the diverse marine life and the incredible soft coral was truly a fantastic way to conclude the dive cruise.

Hirundhu Corner, Baa Atoll

This mornings dive was with a small drift and good visibility. Although the sea been rough the dive site was conditions were good. The top of the reef was about 5 meters and was steep and almost a wall at some bits. There were overhangs starting as shallow as 10 meters to 20-25meters. Main attractions were the soft coral decorating the reef with blue, yellow and pink. Lot of whip coral stood from the beds of the overhangs. The occasional tuna passed in pairs from time to time. Lion Fish and a lot of gobies and shrimps were common here.

Dive 2 (afternoon)

Finger Point, North Male’ Atoll

After a very rocking and rolling trip crossing the sea Black Pearl entered North Male’ Atoll. Even though everyone had dived to this place previously everybody was game for it. Conditions were great with medium to strong incoming currents and excellent visibility. On entry we felt the currents hitting us, most of the divers were had reef hooks on and it almost felt like if you moved to side your, mask could rip off from your face.  We came across a school of eagle rays (about 20 strong) in the blue. White Tip Sharks were patrolling the reef. Snappers and Giant Travelly were taking the advantage of the current and hunting the Fusslier. In distance a big Grey Reef shark was there but it did not come close enough to investigate the commotion of the divers on the reef. Although a juvenile Grey Reef shark came close enough for a show off every now and then.The dive ended quickly as all the  divers were getting close to the no deco limits, so we drifted towards the top reef for a drift safety stop. This has been an exciting dive site and challenging too. But it was awesome.

Dive 3 (late afternoon)

Nassimo Thila, North Male’ Atoll

This site top reef starts about 16meters on the top. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful dive site in North Male’ Atoll. The overhangs are covered with stunning blue, purple and in pink Soft Coral. Schools of Fairy Basslets enhance the colors even more. Big Sea fans were on the side. In a distance of about 10 meters away from the main reef are large coral outcrops which start from 18meters and drops to 30meters. All with excellent coral and fish life. One rock in particular had only yellow soft growing on it. We came across Napoleon fish, Dog Tooth Tuna, Giant Travellys and lots of Blue-lined snappers. Schools of Oriental Sweetlips were scattered on the top reef. We did the safety stop at the top of the reef where there was mushroom coral in numbers.
It has truly been an amazing day. Everybody aboard enjoyed all 3 dives immensely.

Dharavandhoo Corner, Baa Atoll

We woke up to an overcast sky and rough seas. Since there was not much option of places to go due to the direction of the wind we headed to Dharavandhoo Corner where it was calmer. It was an amazing dive quite similar to yesterday morning. A school of Batfishes visited us at the start of the dive. Mantas were all over the place utilizing both the big and smaller cleaning stations. A small Napoleon Wrasse was our looking for breakfast. Trevallies and Tunas were on the hunt. More mantas came towards the end of dive. More than 8 or so. It was a perfect morning.

Dive 2 (noon)

Dhonfan Thila, Baa Atoll

The weather didn’t improve at noon either and due to the state of the seas there wasn’t a lot of option of places to go so we headed to Dhonfan Thila. It was a pretty nice dive with a medium current. Everyone was prowling around for macro critters. It is quite amazing on the number of things you could find at such a small place.

Dharavandhoo Corner, Baa Atoll

After a quick coffee we set out to have a look at Hanifaru but there was no sign of Mantas or Whale Sharks. So we headed to the neighbouring reef, Dharavandhoo Corner. It is the corner reef of the island of Dharavandhoo. It was an overcast day but the visibility was fairly good. We swam for about 10 minutes without seeing anything much. Then we started seeing Mantas flying by. First from a distance and then they seemed to come closer. We came across a pile of small coral blocks which was a cleaning station. Couple of Mantas was getting cleaned by the small Wrasses. As they swam away more Mantas came from the blue to utilize the cleaning station. At a single time we could count 8 mantas around us. Also couple of Mantas was at a smaller cleaning station just next to the main one. Since we were the only group everybody had a very enjoyable time watching the Mantas and had their own “Manta Moment”. It was a fairly long dive.

Dive 2 (noon)

Dharavandhoo Corner, Baa Atoll

After the excitement of the morning dive, the entire group wanted to head back to Dharavandhoo Corner for an encore dive. The Mantas were not at the cleaning station unfortunately. We saw them swimming by mostly. Schools of Snappers and Sweetlips were lazily swaying in the current.

Dive 3 (afternoon)

Dhonfan Thila, Baa Atoll

For a change of pace and scenery we went to Dhonfan Thila which is just next to the island of Dhonfan. It is a fairly small place. We descended along with a medium current and first made our way to the 2 coral blocks which is near the main reef. It was covered with glassfish. Different types of Groupers were moving around. We tried to spot some Ribbon Eels we saw on a previous trip but couldn’t find any. But we saw a Leaffish. There was a cave at the main reef just the opposite of the 2 coral blocks which was full of Blue-lined Snappers. The reef had quite a lot of Black Coral bushes which was quite lovely. After a while the current picked up and we went to the reef top to see if there was anything interesting. Our entire group was at the surface with their current hooks on the reef. As people enjoy a breeze at the surface everyone was enjoy the current.