On December 2008, seven bottlenose dolphins arrived in the Philippines from the Solomon Islands, followed by another 11 animals in January 2009, totaling 18 in all. The importation was done through the import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture Secretary in 2008. The dolphins were transported to the Ocean Adventure Park in Subic for training. Eventually, the dolphins were to be re-exported to the Resorts World in Singapore where they are to be used for entertainment. The Earth Island Institute and The Philippine Animal Welfare Society believe that the importation of all 18 dolphins from the Solomon Islands violate the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act or RA 9147 as well as the Philippines’ international commitments under CITES. It is therefore prayed that the Philippine government rectify the situation by instituting a moratorium on all importation of dolphins from the Solomon Islands, hold in custody the dolphins currently in Ocean Adventure until they are rehabilitated for release back into the wild, and to eventually facilitate their return and release into their native waters of the Solomon Islands. Local and international non-profit organizations are willing to work with the Philippine government for the rehabilitation and return of the dolphins to the Solomon Islands.

1. Import Moratorium of
Dolphins from the
Solomon Islands
A Presentation for the National Agriculture and
Fisheries Council (NAFCI)
4 November 2010
Earth Island Institute (EII), Philippine Animal Welfare
Society (PAWS), Marine Wildlife Watch of the
Philippines (MWWP), Bangon Kalikasan Movement

2. I. BASIS FOR THE IMPORT MORATORIUM
OF DOLPHINS FROM THE SOLOMON
ISLANDS
1. The import permits for the 18 bottlenose dolphins from the
Solomon Islands were issued without proper evaluation of the best
available scientific data that the importation will not be detrimental
to the population of wild dolphins in the Solomon Islands. This, in
fact, could constitute the violation of RA 9147.
According to Sec. 6, Art. 1 of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and
Protection Act or RA 9147:
Section 6. Wildlife Information. All activities, as subsequently manifested
under this Chapter, shall be authorized by the Secretary upon proper
evaluation of best available information or scientific data showing that the
activity is, or for a purpose, not detrimental to the survival of the species or
subspecies involved and/or their habitat. For this purpose, the Secretary shall
regularly update wildlife information through research.

3. No scientific assessment of the
population-level effects of the
removals of bottlenose dolphins in
the Solomon Island was
undertaken in advance of the
recent live-capture operations.
Without any reliable data on
numbers and population structure
of bottlenose dolphins in this
region, it is impossible to make a
credible judgment about the
impacts of this level of
exploitation. Until such data are
available, a non-detriment finding
necessary under CITES Article IV
is not possible. Therefore CITES
Parties should not issue permits
to import dolphins from the
Solomon Island. Unfortunately,
this episode of live-capture was
undertaken with little or no serious
investment in assessing the
conservation implications for the
affected dolphin population(s).

4. 2. Philippine CITES Scientific Authorities such as the Silliman University
and the National Museum concur with the IUCN-CSG recommendations
on the non-detriment finding for dolphins from the Solomon Islands.
In its position, the Silliman University stated that:
’We have read the relevant documents, including the case study report of the
just released IUCN Samoa workshop. It is abundantly clear that the Philippines
has been derelict in its obligations under CITES; the importation should not
have been allowed. The Non-Detrimental Finding (NDF) is not credible.

5. The Silliman University thereby
concludes (See Annex 9):
‘ As the designated scientific
authority under the joint DENR-
DA-PCSD Administrative Order
No. 1, we recommend a
moratorium on importations of
live T. aduncus into the
Philippines to take effect
immediately and be lifted only
until such time that the
adequate population
assessment necessary to a
credible NDF has been carried
out.’

6. The National Museum
recommends that (See Annex 10):
‘Based on the facts gathered and
presented by Earth Island, if truth
really prevails, the National
Museum, being a scientific
institution and an active member
of Convention on the International
Trade on Endangered Species
(CITES) firmly opposes this illicit
activity. This must not be
tolerated. Numerous negative
consequences such as the spread
of diseases possibly carried by
these dolphins and threat to the
survival of the species may occur.
‘Thus, it is respectfully
recommended that any activities
regarding the importation of
wildlife species be acted upon in
accordance with both the
Philippine Law (RA 9147) and
CITES.’

7. 3. The CITES Animals Committee,
on its 24th meeting in Geneva on
April 2009, reviewed the issue of
dolphin exports by the Solomon
Islands and recommended that its
annual dolphin export quota be
reduced.
Prior to a decision on the proposal,
the IUCN-CSG representative
attending the meeting was asked,
based on existing scientific
information, what number of dolphins
could be sustainably removed from
the Solomon Islands population. The
CSG representative reported that total
take (including bycatch, harvest, and
live-capture) should not exceed 10
dolphins per year.

8. I. BASIS FOR THE IMPORT MORATORIUM OF DOLPHINS FROM THE
SOLOMON ISLANDS (continued)
4. The importation did not have any credible veterinary/phytosanitary
certificate as well as an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) on the
introduction of the 18 dolphins to the natural environment of Camayan
Wharf in Subic

9. 5. That the importation of dolphins from the Solomon Islands is
purely for commercial purposes and is neither for research nor
conservation.
If the Philippines allows for the continued practice of importing dolphins
from the Solomon Islands and re-exporting of dolphins for commercial
purposes, the country will be participating in the trafficking of dolphins from
unsustainable sources. Allowing the import/export of dolphins from the
Solomon Islands, whose resident dolphin population dynamics and status
are unknown at best, jeopardizes the survival of dolphin populations in the
Solomon Islands.
Allowing the entry of dolphins from unsustainable sources also runs
contrary to the Philippine policy of protecting dolphins in our very own
waters. The Fisheries Administrative Order 185 and 185-1 and FAO 208
prohibit the catching, killing and even mere possession of dolphins.

10. II. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICLUTURE
1. Impose a moratorium on dolphin imports from the Solomon Islands and
reject any applications to re-export the animals to Singapore.
2. Seize the 18 animals in Ocean Adventure, and, at the cost of the shipper,
re-export the animals back to the Solomon Islands for rehabilitation and
release
3. Consistent with the plain language and intent of the Wildlife Act, institute
proper procedures where the CITES Scientific Authorities are consulted
before any activities, (e.g. importation/exportation) are undertaken. In
addition and specifically in the case of marine mammals, that the opinion
of other CITES Scientific Authorities such as the U.P. Marine Science
Institute, U.P. Visayas, Silliman University and the National Museum be
obtained prior to any importation/exportation.
4. Our international network of marine mammal experts, veterinarians, legal
experts, and non-governmental animal protection and environmental
organizations are willing to assist and support the Philippine government
in rectifying this situation, in strengthening the implementation of the
Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, and providing other
resources and support to the government should it implement these
recommendations.

11. MARAMING SALAMAT PO