PLEASE SIGN! The present action started with a group of outraged citizens and consequently addressed to Madeira’s Regional Government. The Lugar de Baixo marina is seasonally fustigated by waves, violently destroying the constructions that have been done and re-done time again, which has cost around 110 million euros to date. Not only largely controversial since its beginning and lacking any type of previous and concrete study conducted by those responsible for the construction, this site has already lived many lives, from marina to recreational center, to artificial surf reef, and today lying in the hands of a private owner who bares the depressing idea of creating a tourist hub with dolphin shows and other activities which will explore animal welfare. This marina remains a worry to all those who remember the strong sea waves in this area, originated by the shoal coming from Paul do Mar to Cabo Girão, breaking the waves significantly more violently at Lugar de Baixo and stretching until Paul. It’s also worrying (because of the constant mistakes and intellectual atrocities made by those responsible for the construction) to ponder or believe that there is no control or information regarding the behavior and educational process of such animals, either them being captured in our regional ocean or anywhere else. Madeira’s waters are very rich in cetaceans, having 22 registered species to date. The total species worldwide if of 75. At around 5 km from coast you can already reach a depth of 3.000 mtrs, which makes it common to encounter cetaceans very close to the coast, almost knocking at your door! In some cases, oceanic dolphin species, as well as rare Beaked Wales and even Orcas. During migration period these cetaceans come to Madeira either looking for food or during their reproduction period. At least one of those species lives in Madeira’s waters. The most probable species to find at the island are: - Common Dolphin - Spotted Dolphin - Bottlenose Dolphin (most commonly spotted species) Madeira’s Autonomous Region is truly blessed with one of the most beautiful natural event: dolphin and wale sightings, which only recently was recognized as an asset to this charming touristic destiny It’s importante to mention that normally these “amusement parks” retain 60% of its food before the shows in order to make the animals more attentive. Those who do not reply to the trainer’s orders are isolated and ignored, as means of punishment. This is torture for animals as social as dolphins. In their natural habitat dolphins live between 25 to 50 years. In aquatic parks they rarely live more than 10. Over half these dolphins die in their first 2 years of captivity, while the remaining live around 6 years. There are more and more people recognizing that dolphins, orcas and other cetaceans do not belong to amusement parks. Canada does not allow Beluga capturing; in Brasil and India it is already illegal the use of sea mammals in shows; in England boycotts led to the shutting of every water park using animals; Israel banned dolphin importation to water parks, the same starting to happen in many states in America and in Europe. Madeira Island can still make come true the dream of those who wish to see wales and dolphins, without having its good name stained by animal life captivity and exploitation center. Removing these majestic creatures from their natural habitat as means of commercial and capitalistic use is totally obscene, and it is our goal to alert people and sensitize the government not to proceed with such concessioning. peticaopublica/pview.aspx?pi=PT73818
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 21:55:34 +0000