Some residents of Discovery Bay are continuing to protest against what they say are plans by the new operators of Puerto Seco Beach to introduce dolphins as part of the attraction there.
Chanting, “No dolphin in D’Bay” and “Progress – Yes!. Pollution -No,No, No!” a group from the Discovery Bay Community Development Committee (CDC) and supporters walked in the sea along Puerto Seco Beach on Saturday, October 27, and again on Sunday, October 28, to make their protest known.
“Our aim is to raise the awareness of people using Puerto Seco, to the impending disaster if a Dolphin Cove is built in this calm cove which is a fish sanctuary,” Lee Arbouin , president of the CDC explained.
She said the National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA) has given a restricted permit without due process being followed. The wider community has not had any consultation through a town hall meeting. She said the UWI Marine Lab and fishermen were consulted and objected.
As the group walked along the waterline at the beach they made these points and explained that captive dolphin sites are being phased out around the world.
Several people on the beach asked questions of the group and were encouraged to sign an online petition. The CDC is hoping to get 20,000 signatures to the petition.
The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) supports the CDC. It has written to portfolio minister Daryl Vaz, Peter Knight of NEPA and Danville Walker of NRCA objecting to the government’s decision and requesting, through the Freedom of Info Act, the procedure followed with documents.
