Ölüdeniz to get its first dolphinarium

[kaptainkrunchie]

Now got on to Holiday Truths site. http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=143628

This could now seriously put tourists off as it calls for a boycott of Hisaronu

Wonder if the local hoteliers, bar and shop owners know that this is what their mayor is doing?

And even bigger on

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g312737-i9292-k3468620-I_hope_this_never_happens-Oludeniz_Mugla_Province_Turkish_Aegean_Coast.html

[Ovacikpeedoff]

I am totally against having these dolphins in a pool in the middle of Hisaronu. I am also seriously concerned about the actions that have also been taken to prevent it. I do not think trying to get holiday makers to boycott the area is the answer. Please also think of the impact on the local economy and the people who rely on tourism.A couple of hotel owners I have spoken to are equally horrified by the proposal.

I think that the Mayor should be given the opportunity to reverse this decision and if he does not then do anything that is lawful to influence him.

[cheers]

I do agree in principal by the comment that Ovacikpeedoff made re the economy and tourism.  This dolphiniarium is to be open for this years tourist season.  The work has already been started amd see little point in waiting for the Mayor to reverse this decision, by then it will be too late.  Money has already been spent so the company would be looking for compensation for the money they have already put into this enterprise.  This should have been brought to everyones attention when the plans were submitted, then we may have had a chance to stop it before it even started.
I personally have signed up for every forum that has been posted on this thread as have many others.  Feelings are high on this even though the FT says its about half and half for and against.  DON'T THINK SO!!

[heather07]

619 656 people have now signed up to the facebook page

[Scunner]

quote:Originally posted by cheers

the FT says its about half and half for and against.  DON'T THINK SO!!

In fairness I don't believe they did say that.

[cheers]

In fairness it actually says (Don't know how to do quotes sorry)

Opinions are clearly divided on whether the latest tourist attraction is good for the dolphins but unless there is a change to the laws it will be market forces, the numbers of people prepared to pay, that finally decide if the dolphinarium sinks or swims.


Doesn't clearly divided mean half and half?

Doesn't that little sentence say it all?

[Scunner]

No & no  

[miaspyro]

This is on the WSPA web site about what happens to dolphins in captivity

What is the required amount of space for a captive dolphin to be happy? How big are the tanks that they live in when they are not doing shows?

The answer to this question is simple - any tank or enclosure is too small for a dolphin. According to U.S. regulations, dolphin pens only need to be 30 x 30 feet and only six feet deep. With the current U.S. standards, a dolphin would have to circle more than 1.700 times its pen to simulate its natural swimming everyday range in the wild! In warm weather such shallow water Heats quickly. This can be extremely uncomfortable, and often deadly, for dolphins unable to escape to deeper, cooler waters. Not only is there no relief from the heat, but also the dolphin's sensitive skin can be exposed to the sun's Scorching rays, causing blisters and sores. Also, in cement pools, chlorine is added to keep bacteria levels safe for humans. The levels of chlorine used, wreak havoc on a dolphin's skin and eyes, sometimes even rendering them completely blind.

Just because standards exist, does not mean that they're appropriate, well enforced, or they ensure an acceptable quality of life for the dolphins. No facility can not adequately simulate the vast ocean or provide for a dolphin's needs. No captive program - no matter how large, well regulated, well funded, or well intentioned - can make a case for meeting a dolphin's complex behavioral needs and no standard set by a government can be called sufficient.

and this is their website with more info
http://www.wspa-usa.org/pages/2220_dolphins_in_captivity_faqs.cfm#space

[heather07]

his quote from the paper is the bit I can;t get my head round
"Hisarönü is some kilometers from the sea, so "our first priority is to transport sea water straight from Ölüdeniz. If we do not get the go ahead for this, we will look at mixing natural salt brought from the sea with fresh water,"

That and the fact it will only be four metres deep.
From WSPA website
"This can be extremely uncomfortable, and often deadly, for dolphins unable to escape to deeper, cooler waters"

[Scunner]

It is quite obvious when you have it spelt out for you that the chlorine needed to allow humans to enter the water will be extremely harmful to dolphins, as is living in a concrete tank up a mountain, as is adding salt to water. The whole scheme is half baked, amateur and freakish.

If dolphins ever end up in that pit, I shall turn CBF from it's vibrant blue and orange to black and white, to represent the 50 years backwards tourism in Turkey stepped with this idiotic project. Maybe they could really push the boat out and have visitors greeted by a bear chained to a post; we could all prod it with a stick.

Trust me, there is only one way to win the majority of battles against injustice in Turkey, and that is to hit those involved in their pocket. It's their most sensitive part.