Media Release
Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Dr David Kemp

10 August 2003 (K0178)

Australia Welcomes Mexican Decision on Dolphins

Federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Dr David Kemp, welcomed news in a statement from the Mexican Department for Natural Resources - the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales - that the Mexican Government would not be authorising any further import of dolphins from the Solomon Islands and is acting to ensure the welfare of 27 dolphins remaining alive from the 28 imported on 22 July.

"Today, the Mexican Government gave the commitment that no further imports from the Solomon Islands will be authorized," Dr Kemp said.

"This is an important step in ensuring the welfare of the dolphins which remain in captivity in the Solomon Islands.

"The Australian Government has been concerned about trade in live dolphins captured from the wild in the Solomon Islands and about the welfare of dolphins still held there and our diplomats have been making representations to Mexico and the Solomon Islands on the issue."

All cetaceans (dolphins, whales and porpoises) are protected in Australian waters under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.

Australia is a strong advocate in international forums to protect marine mammals at global, regional and national levels