USVI-On-Line

I would like to sign this petition but after visiting the petition site I have questions that I hope someone here can answer for me.

1. Has anyone actually seen the wording of the petition? I read the overview page at the site but when I clicked on the "the petition" page it only offered this; "For updates and to offer further support (not financial) please email VIDolphinVoices@gmail.com." I would actually like to know what and who I am lending my name and information to.

2. Has anyone seen the permit application or read or knows what Coral World plans to do with this permit? I have read inferences that the dolphins will be held captive but have not seen wording stating that this is their intentions. I see in the petition the mention of "Open Water" swim with the dolphin tours and performances. I see nothing concrete to say that the dolphins will be held captive. If captive I would certainly support this cause.

3. I see that the OP sites Coral Bay iWatch. I am not familiar with this publication. Is anyone familiar with them? I see that they have a letter posted by one Fiona Stuart. Is anyone familiar with her?

4. Has anyone seen any information on traditional news sites such as TV, radio or newspaper? I have searched the Tradewinds, St john Source and News of St. John.

Thanks, I am torn by this as I support the cause of keeping wildlife wild but the details of this petition and permit leave me wondering.

toes in the sand, you are so right to question this petition. I must admit that I jumped right in and signed it as it was on a site that I have visited before, and this seemed a worthy cause. I did not research any of the facts. I believe there was a petition on the site before, but I did not read it.

Tonight I did a little digging without much luck. There is a Facebook page that I think had a link to the petition previously, but does not now. https://www.facebook.com/ViDolphinVoices

The Coral Bay iWatch issues can be found here: http://coralbaystjohn.com/iwatch.htm
The issue of iWatch that is referenced is this:

Screen Shot 2012-08-15 at
8.54.17 PM by lprof, on Flickr

Edited to add: there certainly is a Fiona Stuart who has lived on St Thomas for more than 20 years. We share a Facebook friend.

Toes, since TA shut down the thread, you've come here.

Please, if you took the time to read all the links you have been given, you would understand the information that dolphins do not do well in captivity....period.

Stop asking for information that has already been given to you. Stop questioning the facts. Stop telling stories, which I personally question about you swimming with dolphins that just happened to mystically appeared and wanted to swim with you.

I don't care about any good intentions that Coral World MAY have. The facts still stand that dolphins do not to be held in a pen that will never be big enough for them to be "normal".

I'd rather see them put to sleep peacefully then to spend their life tormented.

Thanks for the links and screenshot Iprof. I found that but it provides very little information. As I said previously, I searched the three publications that I use for news in the USVI and had no hits regarding anything related when I searched the term Coral World. Unfortunately I do not remember my username on Tradewinds but I searched as a guest and received no results. Coral World has no information regarding this on their website. If you have a copy of the petition I would be grateful to be able to read it as it is not on the petition site.

Connie, I came here as there are more locals here than on TA. I am hoping that someone closer to this story can verify that CW has even applied for this permit, verify that Fiona is a real person and has good intentions with this petition campaign. I will continue to search for information on this subject as it is something I feel strongly about but I will not provide my personal information to unknown persons in support of a vague cause. I have read the information in the links provided both here and on TA. While some if the information provided is good verifyable information, some good science and some opinion, no information regarding the plans of Coral World is included. I have yet to find that Coral World has even applied for this permit. The only reference is on the petition site and travel forums that link that site. I would be grateful for any information relating to Coral Worlds permit application and plans. I am sorry you do not believe the story I related. I am sorry you believe me a liar but it does not change the fact that I have been unable to find any verifiable information about this matter.

Toes....I decided to call Coral World just a few minutes ago.

I asked:

"I understand that you may be having a swimming with the dolphins attraction, could you tell me when it may be opening?"

The answer:

"Ohhhhh...that's a long way away".

I asked how long, she said she didn't know.

So...to me that's confirmation that, at least, CW is working on it.

You could also call yourself.

Clever idea, Connie. Instead of spending time online trying to find out what Coral World is or is not doing, call Coral World and ask them directly! They'd know. It is unclear just who has generated this petition, but it is quite clear that Coral World is the best source of info regarding their own plans. And short of a face-to-face conversation, a phone call still remains the best way to clear things up. I sometimes get so used to using the internet or email that I forget that the humble telephone can be extremely effective and in some circumstances can be the most efficient and reliable option.

I have followed the threads here, as well as tripadvisor. I find it laughable that someone thought that Coral World was going to just throw some dolphins in the bay, and not contain them (with nets or WHATEVER), and expect them to stick around. OF COURSE they are going to contain them. It is pretty simple. I don't think anyone needs to wonder whether or not the dolphins will be allowed to roam free or not.... Hello?

As far as everything else, I'm staying out of it. But I couldn't help but post on questioning whether or not the dolphins were going to be "confined." Without even asking anyone, I am 110% certain the answer to that question is a huge yes. I've not even been there, not interested. There is plenty of sea life for me to view in the wild on St. John, and observe from afar. But does Coral World even have any "exhibits" that are allowed to roam free and come and go as they please? Doubtful?

Now that being said, if we let our dog out back, with the world at her paws, she'd sit at the door and cry. But I doubt Coral World is feeding any of their animals as good as our dog eats. She'd be stupid to wander off...

But if people are so concerned, why ask here on a travel forum (especially after questioning the posting of it on another travel forum)? Do a little research that you can back up yourself if you are so concerned. Don't count on random internet strangers to answer questions that are of the utmost importance to your decisions.

Double post, not sure why....

There seems to be some confusion in the reasons for my posting.
I will list my questions and observations once again below:

-The only source if information is the petition site. The vague information there is unsupported with any facts or verification.
-I am unable to find petition we are asked to sign and support and provide personal information for. The page labeled "the petition" only offers a gmail address.
-I am unable to find the permit application or the terms of the proposed project. We only have the word of a member who has spoken to an employee who answered a phone and offers information that a dolphin attraction of some sort is planned for the future at an undetermined time.
-This "battle" for the dolphins is being waged in travel forums. It targets tourists and not the local community who would be most affected. I would think that the person(s) behind this battle would take it to news outlets as well to get maximum exposure instead of just tourists.
- I have been unable to find referrence to this story in any traditional news sources. I think this would be considered big news in the USVI.
-On St John and Coral Bay iWatch have picked up the story but offers no news only a link to the petition site.
- I have been asked to prove that Coral World does not intend to mistreat or hold dolphins captive. It is impossible to prove a negative without a statement from CW with their intentions.
- Persons who have raised valid points and questions and are skeptical of this petion are responded to with a good deal of anger, hostility and intimidation. Less so on this site as on others. I have received private messages on other sites that instead of facts provide only insults and harrasement. The tone of some of the responses on this site are leaning in the same direction.

I am sorry if my questions have made some uncomfortable. Keeping dolphins safe is a worthwhile cause but I believe that this petition drive is vague and provides no supporting facts. Without more information I will remain skeptical of the intentions of this petition drive.
To keep from causing discord I will refrain from posting further on this subject.

Did it earkuer, posted it agian just to make sure all my FB friends get it!!!

Lex wrote:Clever idea, Connie. Instead of spending time online trying to find out what Coral World is or is not doing, call Coral World and ask them directly! They'd know. It is unclear just who has generated this petition, but it is quite clear that Coral World is the best source of info regarding their own plans. And short of a face-to-face conversation, a phone call still remains the best way to clear things up. I sometimes get so used to using the internet or email that I forget that the humble telephone can be extremely effective and in some circumstances can be the most efficient and reliable option.

Thank you Lex. I did it more for Toes than for myself.

BTW. I did not send any nasty emails.

I ask everyone involved in this conversation to keep the tone civil and to keep level heads and maintain their manners. No personal attacks, no name calling, etc.

I am going to recuse myself from commenting (if I can) as I know too many of the people involved personally and Coral World is a long time sponsor of our website.

I would ask that we all try to stick to facts - I know it is a sticky subject but when and if it goes forward it will be doing so under U.S. laws and their are many steps to the process.

Thanks -

I would like to answer the questions posed by "toes in the sand". First I commend you for questioning this as there are indeed bogus petitions and much misinformation to be found on the internet and you are right to do your due diligence.

If you wish to see the wording of the full petition, go to the following link:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/374/581/ ... in-islands.

You will find a report of Coral World's announcement that they were seeking a permit for dolphins in the Daily News of April 13, 2012. If anyone would like me to send them a copy of that article please email me at vidolphinvoices@gmail.com

No, you won't have found anything about the permit because Coral World has twice submitted an application deemed incomplete by CZM. Once the completed application is filed and accepted the plans will be available for public review and a public hearing will be scheduled.

I am a St. Thomas resident and concerned citizen who does not want to see marine mammals exploited for entertainment. The information I have was obtained during a meeting I had with the Curator Coral World in May.

I would like to add that I did not post anything on this site myself although I am the author of the petition. I've just now registered on the site so that I could answer your concerns.

Fiona
VI Dolphin Voices

Thank you for your reply Fiona and welcome to USVI online.
I am happy to see your post. Your presence in this conversation is a welcome sight.
I revisited your petitionsite just now to see the wording to the petition and still all I see under the pettition tab is:
"For updates and to offer further support (not financial) please email VIDolphinVoices@gmail.com."

I applaud your effort to be the voice for defenseless sea mammals. Please pardon my skepticism as the lack of petition wording, the absence of news coverage and the vague details of the plans that are only breifly described on the petition site and nowhere else that I could find. I will visit the Daily News site and search back to April as soon as I finish this posting. Thank you for that information.
Seeing your response is a great first step to lending credence and much needed information to this cause.
I have never visited but I have always read and heard good things of Coral World, their sealife rehab and educational programs. To hold dolphns captive seems out of character considering their reputation.
Since you have spoken to directly to the curator of CW, can you tell us what (s)he told you their plans were for this proposed swim with the doplhins attraction?
Did the curator tell you how they planned to acquire the dolphins and how they would be trained and kept?
You mention an "Open Water" attraction on your petition site. To me Open Water means open and free of confinement. Do you know if there are plans to confine the dolphins?

I am sorry for the many questions but I would like to know these things before I will sign the petition and give my personal information.

Thank you for your time to come out here and provide us with information about this cause.

Hello again Fiona,
I was unable to find an article relating to Coral World and dolphins in the Virgin Islands Daily News online search engine. I searched with the term Coral World, Coral World Dolphins and just Dolphin. No articles relating to a permit application or intentions of CW to open an dolphin attractions at anytime in April 2012. I would appreciate if you could send the article or a link to me in a PM or perhaps post it here if it is not too lengthy.

Thank you,
tim