In the captive marine mammal trade, there are a number of long-time members well known among activists. One such is Mr. Moby Solangi, a captive dolphin and sea lion broker based in Gulfport, Mississippi. Solangi is believed to have caught more than 200 dolphins for the US Navy and various aquariums around the world. Through the years, he leased dolphins and sea lions for shows in many parks.
Now, he is seeking a renewal of his permit to buy stranded wild California sea lions that can be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Instead, Solangi wants to purchase them for a life of captivity.
Many organizations that engage in rescuing sea lions objected to the permit, noting that these animals should be returned to the wild once they are rehabilitated and can fend for themselves.
But Mr. Solangi is apparently working to obtain sea lions for captivity from stranding centers that are not as conservation-minded as most. One likely source is SeaWorld, which claims to rehab and release injured sea lions, but is in the business of breeding dolphins and running sea lion shows in its many parks.
You can help by commenting on the renewal of the Solangi permit.
Urge the US National Marine Fisheries Service to DENY Solangi’s permit. Sea lions that are stranded should be returned to the wild.
For information on the permit, including background papers, go to:http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/review.htm
(The permit is for Solangi’s Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport. Solangi also owns Marine Animal Productions, his “entertainment” business.)
The Comment DEADLINE is JULY 30th.
To Comment:
Email: NMFS.PR1Comments@noaa.gov (include File No. 15537 in subject)
Fax: 301-713-0376
Mail:
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division
Office of Protected Resources
NOAA Fisheries (F/PR1)
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226
Thanks for your support for keeping sea lions free and wild!
