Take Action to help Bermuda!!

[lizardfish]

I NEED YOUR HELP with a local situation:-

We need to stop beach dredging.....and the needless construction of ANOTHER captive dolphin pit in Bermuda!!

Dolphin Oasis looks set to receive planning permission imminently for their new dolphin enclosure at the Wyndham Resort in Southampton, Bermuda. They plan to dredge the sea floor of Sinky Bay to make way for the enclosure and will be bringing more dolphins to Bermuda to be held in captivity for the enjoyment of tourists.

To find out more about the campaign and what you can do to help please go to http://www.envirotalk.org

You will find a cyberaction you can take.

I have written a draft e.mail below especially for divers. You may use any part of it for your own e.mail. Please see the website for addresses and details.

TAKE ACTION NOW - TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

Thanks!
L.


Draft:
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To: Acting Permanent Secretary
Ministry of the Environment

Dear Sir,

It has come to my attention that the organisation Dolphin Oasis has applied for a permit to build an enclosure to house several captive dolphins in Southampton.

In addition to being totally opposed to any more dolphins being held in captivity in Bermuda, when there are already 11 at Dolphin Quest, I am seriously concerned about the negative impact on the local coastal environment that the construction of this enclosure is sure to have. Dredging the sea floor of Sinky Bay (a public area) could lead to a number of environmental problems and this is simply unacceptable considering the limited benefits for Bermuda from this enterprise.

I would like to object to such an enclosure being built. I highly doubt this extra tourist attraction will be good for Bermuda and it is clear to me that the only people who stand to gain from this project are wealthy businessmen. The welfare of dolphins kept in captivity is of great concern to me personally. Given the track record of the people setting up Dolphin Oasis in the Caribbean, I have severe doubts that they will adhere to acceptable standards here in Bermuda.

Bermuda would do far better to promote its pristine marine environment to divers rather than artificial dolphin encounters.

I hope one day to visit Bermuda and dive in her crystal clear waters, witness the delicate purple sea fans on the beautiful coral reefs and explore the numerous ship wrecks in the shallows. However, I will not make any plans to visit Bermuda until I know that the government does not support a proposal as inhumane and environmentally destructive as the one put forth by Dolphin Oasis.

I hope that the government will make the right decision for Bermuda.

Yours Faithfully,

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[lizardfish]

pic of underwater protest we did - made front page headlines

[Chris Hall]

E-mail sent & I hope that the protest works.

Good luck