[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s part of the Saint Lucia National Trust’s (SLNT) efforts to advocate against the establishment of the proposed Dolphinarium in Saint Lucia, the Trust will stage a viewing of the film ‘Dolphin Dilemma: The Antigua and Barbuda Story’. This free event is slated for Wednesday, September 5, 2018 from 6:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m. at the Finance Administrative Centre, Pointe Seraphine, Castries.
Following the viewing there will be a panel discussion and a question and answer session with Martha Watkins-Gilkes who is Executive producer of ‘Dolphin Dilemma’, one of the founders of the Antigua and Barbuda Independent Tourism Promotion Corporation (ABITPC) and renowned diver and marine activist; Howard Allen, Director, and Mitzi Allen, Producer of the award-winning Hamafilms Antigua; SLNT’s Director, Bishnu Tulsie, and Ian Joseph, President of the Gros Islet Fisheries.
Whilst the Trust’s attempts to ascertain the exact proposed location of the Dolphinarium, and other pertinent information, have been futile, it was informed earlier this year that the project is likely to go ahead. Considering that the initial plan shared by the developers was for the waters off Pigeon Island, the Trust firmly believes that to proceed would be regressive and do more harm than good for our tourism industry. It would also affect our marine ecosystem, the livelihoods of close to one hundred fisher folks and their families, beach goers in the north—as the water quality would be compromised due to the dolphins’ excretion—operators of whale and dolphin watch excursions and snuba diving operations.
According to Martha Watkins-Gilkes, “We are about to expand the film to tell the Caribbean story in the hope of stopping Dolphin Discovery and other companies like it, from opening dolphinariums as tourism attractions.”
Furthermore, she said, Saint Lucia is the latest island to consider adding a dolphinarium and activists want to put a stop to this. “Dolphin prostitution” as Watkins-Gilkes dubbed it, continues to be a lucrative business model but the damage to the water mammals, the environment and communities outweighs the profits to a few.
Whilst the event is free, the SLNT encourages interested persons to confirm their attendance at membership@slunatrust.org or doccentre@slunatrust.org or call 452-5005. There will be snacks and drinks on sale.
Meanwhile. view ‘Dolphin Dilemma: The Antigua and Barbuda Story’ trailer on Youtube.
