To the editor:
Re: Seals, dolphins, students collide, Sept. 23.
I wanted to take the time to clarify inaccurate statements in the story, Seals, Dolphins, Students Collide, published today in the Vancouver Courier.
The Vancouver Aquarium is recognized worldwide for its high standards of animal care and, in particular, our expertise in caring for marine mammals. The Aquarium is a member of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, an international organization that condemns the inhumane killing of dolphins and other cetaceans in the Japanese drive fisheries. The message of The Cove, that drive fisheries must stop, echoes our position and that of like-minded, credible institutions. Members of the Alliance do not support, fund, or acquire animals from drive fisheries. Unfortunately, there has been and continues to be a great deal of misinformation being circulated about where the animals from the drive fishery end up. It is completely false that any of these animals are being exported to North America. There is not a single dolphin from the drive fishery in any aquarium that is accredited by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums or the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (International).
Our three Pacific white-sided dolphins did not come from the Japanese drive fishery nor were they purchased. They were rescued as badly injured animals from fixed fishing nets along the East Coast of Japan, and would not have survived in the wild. Those same dolphins are now helping Aquarium researchers understand how dolphins perceive netsa study we hope will lead to the development of dolphin safe nets, ultimately protecting other wild dolphins from a similar fate.
The stories of our three rescued dolphins help to inspire personal action to conserve our natural world. Our dedicated staff and volunteers are proud of the excellent work we do every day, from wildlife rescue to shoreline cleanups.
Clint Wright
Senior Vice-President and General Manager
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
