The Debate over Dolphin Encounters
August 22, 2005
Is it communing with nature or exploiting a species? That's the crux of the debate between those who feel that dolphin encounters give people an opportunity to experience and learn about the kind and intelligent mammals and those who feel that the dolphin swims are harmful and unethical. While one might assume the debate rages with environmentalists on one side and the tourism industry on the other, surprisingly, the lines arent as clear cut as one might think.
It's no wonder dolphin encounters are so popular with many tourists, not to mention passengers of cruise lines. There are not many animals in the world that so easily capture one's imagination and admiration. Perhaps it's the dolphins' high intelligence or the all-too-human qualities that they seem to possess, but people from all-over jump at the chance to get up close with these amazing creatures. Some people get the opportunity to do so in the wild, while others visit dolphin encounters in which the mammals are held in captivity.
"Responsible interactive programs foster a connection that inspires participants to care about conserving wild dolphins and their habitats," states Marilee Menard, executive director of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. In other words, by being able to interact with the dolphins in captivity, a person will better understand and appreciate the dolphins in the wild. Also, many aquariums argue that they do everything in their power to ensure that the dolphins lead safe and healthy lives. It's a defense of dolphin encounters that has been reiterated by its proponents.
However, some disagree. "Sadly, under the guise of communing with nature or advancing our scientific understanding, dolphin encounter programs too often overlook the way dolphins actually exist and interact with each other in the wild," said Radisson Seven Seas Cruises' director of land programs Darius Mehta. That statement came after Radisson announced in July, 2005 that it would no longer offer dolphin-encounter shore excursions at their ports of call. So far, no other cruise lines have made such a decision.
However, other cruise lines may start following Radisson's example if more countries start following suite after Costa Rica. In July, 2005, Costa Rica not only made it illegal to keep dolphins and whales in captivity, but to swim with them altogether. Costa Rica never had captive dolphin encounters, but at least two dozen companies operated swims with dolphins or whales.
Costa Rica is the first Caribbean country to pass such legislation; swimming with dolphins is still particularly popular in many Central American and Caribbean destinations like the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, as well as Bermuda. Mexico has banned the capture of native dolphins, but allows importation; dolphin encounters are very popular there with tourist and cruise line passengers.
Opponents of dolphin encounters cite a variety of information to support their case, such as the fact that when dolphins are captured in the wild and separated from their pods (the term for a group of dolphins), it is almost inevitable that some perish in the process. Also, dolphins taken from the wild and put into captivity are forced to adapt to living conditions that are almost completely unlike anything they knew in the open sea. Yet it is not the dolphins that are born in captivity with which many opponents have issue; rather, it is the capturing of wild dolphins that causes the most debate.
Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of Jacques Cousteau, is a strong opponent of dolphin swims, and agrees with Costa Rica's and Radisson's move. "Capturing marine mammals to display them in unnatural circumstances is unethical, puts them at risk, and interferes with their natural and appropriate life cycles." He commended Radisson for "making a vital and forceful statement to the travel and tourism industry."
Whether you're in favor dolphin encounters or not, cruise lines offer a huge variety of shore excursion activities that suit just about everybody and are not in the least bit controversial. Cruise lines can have you scuba diving, parasailing, mountain biking, or sightseeing, which are at least a few activities that everyone can agree on.
