Be sure to watch CNN Thursday at 9PM/Blackfish

I HAVE SEEN THE PREVIEWS FOR THIS AND WAS NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS ABOUT. I FEEL BAD FOR THE WHALE AND OF COURSE THE TRAINERS WHO DIED.

I can't watch these shows anymore - they break my heart! Even the Dawn dishwashing liquid commercial makes me cry!

But people do need to be educated about this situation. Maybe the Dolphinarium on STT would be stopped if more people watched these types of documentaries.

I'm on the fence on this one....Their captivity bothers me....but then again we have learned so much from it....

but their families stay together

http://youtu.be/NfyVMWuUQnW

and then there's the dorsal fin....collapses in captivity....almost like a sign of unhappiness...

tough one

i agree to a point, what do we learn by making them perform circus tricks?

i agree to a point, what do we learn by making them perform circus tricks?

Nothing at all....

but the research and exposure we get is vast...we learn things we never would otherwise and our children get to see them up close and learn about creatures of the sea.

don't get me wrong I like animals more than I do most people...it's really a tough one.

If you wish to read more on this subject and educate yourself on the reality of a marine mammals life spent in captivity, please see:

http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/marine_mammals/case_against_marine_captivity.pdf

I can never look at captive marine mammals in the same light, again.
It breaks my heart that these intelligent and self aware, sentient species are confined to sterile, tiny enclosures in order to be made to perform, all for the sake of money and our so-called amusement.

It's like a human being confined to a small bathtub for the rest of your life after being free to come and go as one pleased.
Inhumane. We need to change our perceptions of dolphins, orca's sea lions and other species. Pls. read the above link.

The performance behaviors that are taught are unnatural, have no merit and have nothing to do with the way they live and interact in the wild.

my above link doesnt work see if this link works http://youtu.be/NfyVMWuUQnw

Alana I'll read all 82 pages later, but I will read it.

Am I to assume that you are against the dolphin expansion in STT.

Alana I'll read all 82 pages later, but I will read it.

Am I to assume that you are against the dolphin expansion in STT.

How'd you guess?

Here are aditional links:

http://dolphinproject.org/blog/post/stop-swim-with-dolphins-programs

http://news.discovery.com/animals/whales-dolphins/dolphins-smarter-brain-function.htm

http://savejapandolphins.org/

Here an op-ed I wrote to Daily News last yr. (Note: They gave it that title.)
http://virginislandsdailynews.com/op-ed/did-powerful-financial-influence-give-coral-world-the-dolphinarium-1.1446320

One more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPZgAub_h5I

I don't watch things like this because this is just another way for liberals to jerk at your heart strings. Kind of like going to a chicken farm, turkey farm, hog farm or cattle ranch. These animals aren't treated nearly as well as the performing animals and yet we know when we look at them they will not be around for much longer. Do I agree with animals being used for the enjoyment of humans, not particularly, but I'm not going to stop going to the theme part to watch them perform either. I'm also not going to stop eating chicken, beef, pork and fish.

Then you become a part of the problem by buying a ticket to these attractions.
If you read the material and watch the programs, you may be more inclined to understand the issues behind the scenes and then make an informed decision. Just saying, don't rule out educating yourself. I wish I was blithely ignorant of it all but there's no going back.

Now once again remember I am probably one of the biggest animal lovers around....

With that being said...Alana we are hurting....BAD. We are lower than low...if this dolphin expansion in STT will bring in revenue and help get us back on our feet a bit...why not?

Especially when they claim these dolphins we born in captivity (not that it makes it much better but still)...

Read the material, look at the links, Find more on your own.

Coral World did not realize the touted profits when they petitoned and were allowed to import the poor sea lions that they claimed would be the fix for their financial woes. Oh, If we only had sea lions, our financial woes would be solved. NOT!
There are a lot of problems with this not just financial. I won't mention the ethical, moral or humane complexities.

Those sea lions are kept in a sterile tank with no stimulation besides what they get from forced interaction with humans for food. Dolphins are way more intelligent. Keep an open mind and read to educate yourself. I used to be one that loved going to aquariums and watching those performances until I researched to see what it was all about behind the scenes.

Plus I'd really like to see how 25000 people are going to visit CW. There is barely any parking when 1 ship is in.
We just had some sick individuals kill hundred's of a schools talapia. How safe are these Doplhins going to be much less concerns about all the other myrid and complex issues?

I wrote a letter to Daily news today about the Senate hearing Monday that had very little notice to the public.
I don't now if or when they will print it.

"The Humane Society International and the World Society for the Protection of Animals have stated that they believe that "the entire captive experience for marine mammals is so sterile and contrary to even the most basic elements of compassion and humanity that it should be rejected outright."

The more that people educate themselves and realize the truth about dolphinariums, the better.

I'm with you...but we have to survive. The worse the economy gets the worse crime gets. When we get on our feet then we can worry about Flipper. I would fully agree on a moratorium on any creatures from the wild unless they were distressed, but if these animals were bred in captivity and it helps put some money into the economy......

Those bred in captivity had to come, originally, from somewhere. These offspring will have a sterile, confined, captive life.
Coral World would not make public where they were getting these 6, 10 12 or more Dolphins they originally petitioned for.
Coral World has not been able to, in the past, properly care for the species in their so-called care and make a profit as per their own admission that they haven't made a profit in 15 years, not to mention the EDC benefits and "sweetheart deals" they have had and will continue to receive.

The other thing that bothers me, immensely, among many other things, is that Coral World has a breeding pen in their plans.

If the VI Government would stop wasting our tax dollars, mismanaging, misusing, misappropriating and in some cases, outright stealing and clean up our islands to make it a safe, clean, friendly and affordable destination we would not be considering the likes of a Dolphinarium nor would the economy be faltering.

How about a Water Park that all can enjoy that does no harm?
That's what Coral world should be building.

I do like the water park idea

BTW - Ric O'Barry trained the original "Flipper" who was actually 5 different Dolphins.
He is now a major proponat/activist "Against Dolphins in Captivity."

This is my op-ed piece that will be run tomorrow as just advised.

Running this tomorrow; good letter, as alway.
I edited it a little bit; wanted it to stay sharply focused
Lowe

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 22, 2013, at 9:07 AM, "alana mawson wrote:

A friend told me that "Normally, when an issue as large as this comes to the Legislature, those who had testified at the CZM hearings (on whatever side) are asked to appear at the ratification hearings, especially for this as it is for a water use permit...public property. If you've seen the Legislative Calendar, only those related to tourism, and the applicant have been asked to testify. Based on a phone call placed yesterday morning to DPNR, they also seemed to be VERY SURPRISED regarding today's hearing. "Also, why the rush? Have ACOE and NOAA given their permits? Don't think so!"

"And the hour? Requested by whom (my guess is the applicant) so that average working people can't attend? The whole thing needed to be rescheduled, with the public and prior testifiers properly invited to comment."
Not so. Let's just ram it thru while people don't know about it or cannot attend!

The whole concept is shameful in this day and age when the majority of nations and countries are banning Dolphinariums and creating protections for those in the wild in their territorial waters, with some very few exceptions, ourselves included.

It simply is not humane to have these intelligent marine mammals held in tiny, sterile enclosures (compared to their natural and immense oceans) for the rest of their unnaturally shortened life spans, for the sake of money/greed and to be put on display showing unnatural, forced behaviors derived from food deprivation training. This is not educational. It is simply greed.

Coral World has been losing money for decades, is and has been run down and shoddy looking, the corals there do not thrive, now, nor do many of the species held there in captivity for our amusement and our hard earned dollars and haven't for a long time under the Priors so-called stewardship (Though stewardship may not be the correct word in this particular case). Adding this Dolphin exhibit will not improve the Coki Point area but add even more congestion to an already overly congested area that already has a bad reputation with shootings, the sale of drugs everybody but the police seem aware of and is deemed unsafe. I wont send guests or recommend anyone to visit this location or Coral World. I have to wonder just how safe are those Dolphins going to be when we have sick individuals killing tilapia raised for school projects.

The Humane Society of St. Thomas did not publicly come out in opposition to this proposed Dolphinarium due to the fact, Mrs. Prior sits on the Board of Directors. Every other "Humane" organization in the world would have done so but not our very own HSSTT. They seemingly get to pick and choose which species deserves protections and humane treatment under their watch. This is an ethical and moral conflict of interest.

The lease is a joke at our expense with them allowed:
"During the first two years, the rent is a dollar a month. Then for the next five years, rent is $10,000 per year. Rent is to increase 10 percent per year for the next five years, then Coral World is to pay one percent of gross revenues in addition to the foregoing rental amount." This is adding insult to injury with these terms.
We wonder why the VI Government is in debt??

Dolphins are not going to bring more tourists to our islands.
Having a safe, affordable, clean destination will.

We need to have a conscience that lies beyond the greed to do the correct moral, ethical and humane thing for these intelligent creatures and not sentence them to dismal and sterile lives in captivity.

If you wish to read more on this subject and educate yourself on the reality of a marine mammals life spent in captivity, please see: http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/marine_mammals/case_against_marine_captivity.pdf

Alana Mawson

St. Thomas,

I don't watch things like this because this is just another way for liberals to jerk at your heart strings. Kind of like going to a chicken farm, turkey farm, hog farm or cattle ranch. These animals aren't treated nearly as well as the performing animals and yet we know when we look at them they will not be around for much longer. Do I agree with animals being used for the enjoyment of humans, not particularly, but I'm not going to stop going to the theme part to watch them perform either. I'm also not going to stop eating chicken, beef, pork and fish.

naw, I would rather be blissfully ignorant rather than have a bunch of left wing kooks try and dictate to me how I should live, what I should believe or how I should act. I have come to the realization that life isn't fair, everyone and everything has trials and tribulations from humans to animals. I'm not a believer in everyone gets a trophy because that would take the fun out of winning and the lessons learned from losing. I love exotic birds and have two of my own. I would much prefer to see them out in the wild being free, but I will more than likely never visit where they are from (Solomon Islands, Africa). I could do like some irresponsible people have done in Florida with snakes, birds to mention a few and just release the birds. But that would be irresponsible because I know that they were born and raised in captivity and could not survive on their own. These birds were not purchased by me, I rescued them from situations which were not healthy for the birds, they have been rehabilitated and have become a major part of my family. Now is it what the birds want, I doubt it, but it's the best thing that they have going.

I grew up on a farm where it was one of my duties at a fairly young age to go out to the barn yard and dispatch an animal for our dinner, which was usually a chicken, turkey, quails or pheasants, with the occasional pig thrown in on special occasions. Back in those days, we didn't associate chicken or pork or beef with a supermarket. I also realize every time I go through the drive thru at Kentucky Fried Chicken that I'm part of the problem and I'm good with that:)

I completely agree with your decision not to enlighten yourself.

naw, I would rather be blissfully ignorant rather than have a bunch of left wing kooks try and dictate to me how I should live, what I should believe or how I should act.

That's exactly what's wrong with America! People who think like you. Geez.

Not everyone who tries to enlighten others is a "left wing kook" and they're not trying to "dictate" how you should live, believe and act. They're just trying to enlighten your SMALL, CLOSED mind! Geez.

naw, I would rather be blissfully ignorant rather than have a bunch of left wing kooks try and dictate to me how I should live, what I should believe or how I should act.

That's exactly what's wrong with America! People who think like you. Geez.

Not everyone who tries to enlighten others is a "left wing kook" and they're not trying to "dictate" how you should live, believe and act. They're just trying to enlighten your SMALL, CLOSED mind! Geez.

Yes, but why do you feel compelled to "They're just trying to enlighten your SMALL, CLOSED mind! Geez.

"? Why care whether my mind is opened or closed? I could care less whether your mind is or not. Like I said, it's all about CONTROL.

I actually don't care whether your mind is opened or closed. But if you were to open your mind, you might learn something once in awhile.

As a thinking human being, you should try to learn whatever you can, wherever you can. Your statements indicate that you are close-minded, and most likely small-minded as well. (there is a difference)

It's not ALL about CONTROL - there are people who care passionately about the plight of animals and they are not trying to control you, but they are trying to help the animals.

I don't watch things like this because this is just another way for liberals to jerk at your heart strings. Kind of like going to a chicken farm, turkey farm, hog farm or cattle ranch. These animals aren't treated nearly as well as the performing animals and yet we know when we look at them they will not be around for much longer. Do I agree with animals being used for the enjoyment of humans, not particularly, but I'm not going to stop going to the theme part to watch them perform either. I'm also not going to stop eating chicken, beef, pork and fish.

you are whats wrong with America. Comfortable in your ignorance. The disconnect between you and your food.