Marine park in Subic to stay open, says DENR
By Tonette Orejas
Inquirer News Service
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT-Environment Secretary Michael Defensor has ruled out the immediate closure of a marine park here where three false killer whales had died in the last four years, a Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) official said.
PAWB Director Theresa Mundita Lim, head of an investigating team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which visited the park Tuesday, said the closure of Ocean Adventure would only be enforced if there was a strong basis for it. The closure of the marine park is being sought by animal welfare groups.
"Instead of being antagonistic about it, we are giving the project proponent a chance to explain how it addressed animal welfare and environmental protection issues," Lim said.
The Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc. (SBMEI) has operated the park, located at the Camayan Wharf, since February 2001.
Earlier, Gregorio Magdaraog, Ocean Adventure vice president for corporate affairs, said closing the park would endanger the lives of the marine animals and deprive Filipinos of the opportunity to appreciate the value of marine animals.
The Earth Island Institute (EII)-Philippines, which has opposed the venture, said the deaths of three whales-Hook on July 8 this year, Coral in January 2004, and Deuce in July 2001-were enough reasons to stop keeping animals in captivity for entertainment.
The SBMEI, through the Subic Management Associates, imported at least six false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) and eight South American sea lions (Otaria byronia) from China in 2000. A fisheries special permit covered the importation, documents from the Department of Agriculture showed.
EII said the park operator did not consult with the committee on animal welfare, an entity created by the Philippine Animal Welfare Act or Republic Act 8485.
Lim said PAWB would review the environmental impact study of the SBMEI and the environmental clearance certificate issued to it by the ecology center of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
Inquirer News Service
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT-Environment Secretary Michael Defensor has ruled out the immediate closure of a marine park here where three false killer whales had died in the last four years, a Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) official said.
PAWB Director Theresa Mundita Lim, head of an investigating team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which visited the park Tuesday, said the closure of Ocean Adventure would only be enforced if there was a strong basis for it. The closure of the marine park is being sought by animal welfare groups.
"Instead of being antagonistic about it, we are giving the project proponent a chance to explain how it addressed animal welfare and environmental protection issues," Lim said.
The Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc. (SBMEI) has operated the park, located at the Camayan Wharf, since February 2001.
Earlier, Gregorio Magdaraog, Ocean Adventure vice president for corporate affairs, said closing the park would endanger the lives of the marine animals and deprive Filipinos of the opportunity to appreciate the value of marine animals.
The Earth Island Institute (EII)-Philippines, which has opposed the venture, said the deaths of three whales-Hook on July 8 this year, Coral in January 2004, and Deuce in July 2001-were enough reasons to stop keeping animals in captivity for entertainment.
The SBMEI, through the Subic Management Associates, imported at least six false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) and eight South American sea lions (Otaria byronia) from China in 2000. A fisheries special permit covered the importation, documents from the Department of Agriculture showed.
EII said the park operator did not consult with the committee on animal welfare, an entity created by the Philippine Animal Welfare Act or Republic Act 8485.
Lim said PAWB would review the environmental impact study of the SBMEI and the environmental clearance certificate issued to it by the ecology center of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
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