Have just returned from meeting with the mayor Keramettin Yilmaz -KY- and fellow officials, also visited the Muhtar.
Was shown great hospitality and received warm welcome by both gentlemen.
KY said that all the council has done, is to allow the construction of a pool on the land.They do not have the plans.THE BUILDING OF THE DOLPHINARIUM WILL GO AHEAD and indeed builing works were inoperation today.
Once completed Vali will have to then approve or disapprove it.
The contact detail for this official is mugla@icisleri.gov.tr
He will make the decision.
The European standards for the keeping of dolphins in pools was left on KYs desk and were shown to the Muhtar.
It was explained to all present that pool does not meet ONE of the criterea. The owner of the dolphins AK is quoted as saying that it will meet all european standards, it most clearly doeas not.
Health and safety issues were highlighted, eg dolphins are capable of killing whales, under stress they are not predictable. The pool is not insulated from relentless noice and vibrations from all of the fairs, night clubs etc and will suffer stress, also their sonar will be badly affected causing greater stress, because of the concrete.Add into the facts that the pool, now measuring ONLY 12 metres X17metres swim area,will be divided into two,because they wish to keep the two male dolphins seperate, will further increase the anxiety and stress levels in the dolphins.
These hightened stress levels could be a safety issue with humans in the pool.
Concern was drawn to health and safety regarding the filtration, purification, chlorination,and monitering of the water which will be a possible health risk to humans and dolphins alike if not conducted in acordance with the regulations. No member had any knowledge of these systems to be implemented, it was left to the Buisiness man to deal with,Alesandr Kuznetsov.
Regulations also regarding critical water temperature control, vetinary care, size of pool, customer contact,seperate pool for vetinary inspection,regular bio checks on water, qualified only personnel in charge etc etc was also in the hands of Mr Kuznetsov
The date of the completion of the pool is unknown by KY and the inspection date of the animals, ie are they fit to travel, and their travel date is also unknown by the council.
It was stressed that the concern for this project is worldwide and fast growing, which in turn will influence the perceptions of Hisaronu by tourists and this will not be favourable to local tourism.
However This project is being completed
The mayor,has said previously that his door is always open. He and his colleagues were thanked for sparing time to listen.
The Standards for European dolphinariums is on his desk,KY will see that this project in no way meets ANY of the criterea