HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-181RESOLiTtION NO. 93-181
A .. RBsOLuTIOH OF THB BOARD OF COUNTY
. CQMMISSIONBRS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
·FLoRIDA~ REQUESTING THAT DOLPHINS BE
DECLARED . A VALUABLE RESOURCE IN
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA AND
PROVIDING PROTECTION FROM CAPTURE;
PROVIDING FOR COPIES OF THB RESOLUTION
TO BE SENT TO STATE AND FEDERAL
OFFICIALS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, dolphins have a high mortality rate in captivity;
:. and
WHEREAS, nearly half of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in
the world's aquariums are captured from Florida waters; and
WHEREAS, seventy-five (75) Atlantic bottlenose dolphins have
been captured from the Indian River Lagoon since 1972, the year
of passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act; and
WHEREAS, current population estimates place the entire
Indian River Lagoon Atlantic bottlenose dolphin population at
only two hundred (200) to three hundred (300) dolphins; and
WHEREAS, the National Marine Fisheries Service does not
verify compliance of foreign facilities who claim to meet the
standards of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Animal
Welfare Act; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that half of the Atlantic
bottlenose dolphin population died during the epidemic between
1987-1989; and
WHEREAS, the Indian River County Board of County
Commissioners realizes that Atlantic bottlenose dolphins may
migrate outside the jurisdictional waters of Indian River County;
and
WHEREAS, the Indian River County Board of County
Commissioners wishes to express its desire that dolphins be
protected from capture and exploitation except for responsible
and qualified scientific research to allow for the enjoyment of
Atlantic bottlenose dolphins by future generations:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County
Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, that:
1. The Board of County Commissioners requests of all
government officials and representatives, as well as
regulatory agencies, and commissioners, that dolphins
be declared a valuable resource in Indian River County,
Florida, and removal from their natural environment be
forbidden except for responsible and qualified
scientific research, and that the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972 be strengthened to provide
dolphins protection to the fullest extent possible.
2. The Executive Aide to the Board of County Commissioners
is hereby directed to send certified copies of this
resolution to United States Senator Robert Graham,
United States Senator Connie Mack, United States
Congressman James Bacchus, Florida Governor Lawton
Chiles, Florida State Senator Patsy Kurth, Florida
State Representative Charles Sembler, National Marine
Fisheries Service, Marine Mammal Commission and Florida
Department of Environmental Protection.
' 19th day of October, 1993.
APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND CORRECTNESS;
\ of
Charles P. Vitunac
County Attorney