THREE dolphins were released back into the sea following a first-of-its-kind ruling in Bahrain convicting a number of individuals of illegally hunting the small-toothed cetaceans.
Hunting of the aquatic mammal is prohibited in the territorial waters of Bahrain.
Execution Prosecution chief Mohammed Al Mussallam said yesterday that the creatures were released into their natural marine environment with the help of the Public Prosecution, the Coastguard, the Supreme Council for Environment and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
The boat used in the capture of the dolphins was seized and the operators fined, though a statement did not mention the amount.
The dolphins – Juju, an adult female leader, Aljoori, a young female, and Danny, a male baby – were set to be sold to a resort specialising in putting up dolphin shows.
“This is the first operation of its kind in Bahrain and came in implementation of an unprecedented court ruling convicting individuals accused of hunting dolphins,” said Mr Al Musallam in an official statement yesterday.
“The individuals were fined, the boat used for fishing was confiscated and the dolphins were returned to their natural habitat in the sea to protect them from extinction.”
According to the statement, an investigation, launched by the Coastguard, concluded that the vessel was involved in the capture of dolphins and their sale to a recreational resort specialising in putting up dolphin shows – in agreement with its owner.
“Maritime and land security controls were conducted by a security team, led by the Coastguard, which identified the boat used for fishing as it anchored on a beach behind the recreational resort without switching on its identification device,” added Mr Al Musallam.
“The defendants were also seen transporting the dolphins to the recreational resort. They were arrested, their vessel confiscated and the dolphins were seized and released back into the sea.
“The Public Prosecution was notified to take action regarding the accused and seized items and they were referred to trial.”
Mr Al Musallam reaffirmed that Bahrain pays great attention to the environment and wildlife as seen in the issuance of many advanced environmental legislation and laws in place to preserve the environment and wildlife.
&uuid=(email))