-Coral World Dolphinarium Approved

By Che’Resa White

As a child, I always watched those fun dolphins commercials at SeaWorld, where people got to swim with dolphins. I'd always think to myself, "What if St. Thomas had dolphins?" And thought, "Oh how much fun that would be!"

My thoughts are now becoming reality; Coral World has invested a lot of time and energy into something new and interesting for St.Thomas -- a dolphinarium. A dolphinarium is an aquarium for dolphins. The topic has brought many arguments from residents that are in favor as well as those who oppose it.

I am in favor of the dolphinarium because there would be one more attraction making our tourism more diverse, and we would most definitely see an increase in revenue if this works out. Apparently, the Coastal Zone Management Commission agrees with me. They approved the plan for the Dolphinarium on February 13, 2013.

http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/czm-approves-dolphin-exhibit-1.1444438

An article titled “Bringing Dolphins to Coral World” was published by the Daily News on December 13, 2012. Coral World said, “Today cruise ships passengers and overnight guests are heading to Tortola to swim with dolphins and spending their money there. Keeping visitors on St.Thomas will benefit taxis, stores, even other attractions because visitors will have more time on St.Thomas.”

“What would Coral World do to ensure that the dolphins are safe?” This is one of many questions being asked about the proposed project . The “Bringing Dolphins to Coral World” advertisement also said, “Our dolphins will swim freely in a 2-acre open-ocean habitat, one of the largest in the world. The habitat and our dolphins will be subject to U.S. regulations and standards, the strictest in the world,” according to Coral World.

If Coral World promises to keep the dolphins safe in their habitat, we as a community should give it a try. They’re just trying something different in hopes of improving our tourism.

On December 13, 2012, Coastal Zone Management (CZM) held a Coral World Dolphinarium meeting, which took place in Ivanna Eudora Kean High School’s cafetorium. During the meeting Analise Laplace, a 16 year old attending Charlotte Amalie High School said, “Coral World, because they have been bred in captivity does not make it right. My ancestors were caught, brought from their homeland, enslaved and were bred in human captivity for hundreds of years. Does that make it right, Coral World, Fish and Wildlife, Humane Society? It's the same concept; the only difference was that my ancestors were worked to death. The dolphins will be fed to perform cheap tricks for entertainment and profit. Shame, shame, wrong, wrong. It has been documented that captive dolphins bite and captive dolphins rape.” http://virginislandsdailynews.com/op-ed/v-i-teen-shares-reasons-for-asking -czm-to-reject-coral-world-s-dolphinarium-plan-1.1419404

There are many parks, zoos, and tourist attractions that have animals held in captivity and are very successful. The reason some animals behave badly to humans isn’t because they're held in captivity. For those of you that oppose, I am sure that you all have gone to zoos and never thought about captive animals. Why are people suddenly concerned now?

Yes, accidents involving captive animals have occurred at famous attractions like Seaworld. There was an incident on November 21, 2012 in Florida, where a dolphin bit an 8-year-old girl. A sign at the feeding area warned visitors to not lift the plates after they are finished feeding the dolphins; unfortunately the little girl didn’t follow these instructions.

"Our guests are given clear instructions on how to feed the dolphins in an appropriate and safe way," said SeaWorld spokeswoman Becca Bides. "Unfortunately, there are times when instructions are not followed."

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/02/us/florida-dolphin-bites-girl/index.html

Think about the tourists that could potentially visit St. Thomas instead of Tortola if this dolphinarium is built. I don’t believe that Coral World will only use the dolphins for profit, but as a learning experience for residents, students and visitors. I’m sure that they would take good care of these dolphins just as they do with all of their wildlife.

I strongly support this project, because I know that I can learn more about dolphins and the marine environment. Now that it is approved, maybe I can finally swim with dolphins.