Article from BBC Wildlife Magazine, March 2003

Dolphins swim their own way

Nicaragua: Release paves way for dolphin welfare law

By Tim Deere-Jones

Dolphins have been given full protection in Nicaraguan waters following the passing of legislation that prohibits their capture and display. The move follows the personal involvement of the environment minister Jorge Salazar in a dolphin rescue last year.

In August, two bottlenose dolphins, intended for use in a commercial 'dolphin swim programme' were captured in Nicaraguan waters. With the co-operation of the Nicaraguan authorities, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) was able to rescue the dolphins, rehabilitate and release them back into their home waters. A feature of the rescue was the support, and active participation, of Salazar.
Following the success of the rescue and with the support of WSPA and other campaign groups, Salazar was successful in pushing forward the new law, and its success has given a strong boost to similar work in Panama.

This is timely, because campaigners report the on-going development of captive-dolphin-based tourist attractions throughout the Caribbean. The region's two major ecotourist islands - St Lucia and Dominica - both have facilities in the planning stage (the one in Dominica is partially constructed), and the demand for stock for these facilities is driving the growth in the market for wild-caught dolphins.