The Editor, Sir:

We refer to an article published in The Sunday Gleaner, November 4, 2007, entitled "Ochi's $250 million expanded paradise - Relaunch planned for Dolphin Cove", which stated that expansion of the Dolphin Cove theme park in Ocho Rios is complete and that a new lagoon will be designed to allow the dolphins to swim in the open sea, similar to a facility in Israel.

Mr. Stafford Burrowes is quoted as saying that the "current facility has its barrier to the sea, which is submerged at high tide, so animals could freely swim or jump away if they wish."

Dolphins do not generally jump over obstacles such as a rock barrier. If they did, they would simply leap over the nets that are used to capture them. In addition, due to various problems, the facility in Israel, Dolphin Reef in Eilat, has long since stopped allowing its dolphins into the open sea.

Roaming dolphins

The Israeli Government prohibited this practice after receiving complaints about 'roaming' captive dolphins that began begging for fish from beach-goers near the facility and were mistaken for aggressive wild dolphins.

Allowing dolphins to roam might seem appealing as it suggests that the animals are allowed their freedom. However, this is in fact more risky; they can be harmed by people who find them a nuisance; they can become lost if they were imported from other waters, or they can become entangled in nets.

This is merely an attempt to make the captive situation appear more palatable to the public, but it does not benefit the dolphins.

I am, etc.,

DIANA McCAULAY

Chief Executive Officer

Jamaica Environment Trust

11 Waterloo Road

Kingston 10