Dolphin Export From Solomon Islands Unsustainable

An independent review of dolphin exports from the Solomon Islands has warned the current numbers allowed to be taken is beyond what the population can sustain.

The report by the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium, says that dolphin population in Guadalcanal Province, which has been the biggest source of dolphins for export, may have been depleted by as much as half – and it recommends that no more than one dolphin should be removed from there every five years.

The report, which highlights the problems of dolphins that die during capture before they are exported, recommends that the government should base the quota (numbers allowed for export) on the number of dolphins captured, rather than the number for export.

Listen to an interview at Radio Australia.