Marine park shut to pave way for probe
By Christine Gaylican Inquirer News Service
THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources has closed for an indefinite period the Ocean Adventure in Subic Bay Freeport Zone until its officials comply with the DENR's requirements, including an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC).
A cease and desist order issued by the DENR's Environment and Management Bureau said the Ocean Adventure, managed by the Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc. (SBME), would have to suspend its operations as the DENR reviews allegations that the park violated laws against maltreatment and abuse of whales.
"We need to close it down to review their operations because of the death of some whales. Technically and legally the Ocean Adventure management did not secure an ECC from us," Defensor said in another interview with reporters.
He said the agency deemed it necessary to uphold the decision issued recently by the Court of Appeals in May 2004 that the management of the Ocean Adventure, led by the SBME, should have first secured an ECC from the DENR before operating the park.
Defensor added that the DENR's Environment Management Bureau will lead the investigating team that would study the operations of the SBME and determine if it was complying with international standards on marine parks.
"We would want to know if the claims of non-government groups are true and if the marine animals of the park are properly cared for and if their current environment is suitable to them," he said.
Ocean Adventure offers "swim with the whales" and dolphin shows, usually to groups of excursionists from Metro Manila. In a separate statement, the SBME management said they welcome the DENR's move and will now work on securing an ECC from the DENR.
"We are already talking to the DENR and we welcome the move of Secretary Mike Defensor that will complete the resolution of the issue and clear the way for us to get a separate ECC from the DENR, in compliance with the earlier ruling of the Court of Appeals," said Gregorio Magdaraog, Ocean Adventure vice president for corporate affairs, in a statement.
The Earth Island Institute-Philippines (EII) and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) sought the closure of the marine park in Subic Bay and called on environment and health officials to save the two false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) still in captivity in the park.
The whales and some sea lions are used in amusement shows at the park.
The groups issued the call following the death of a female false killer whale in the park on July 8.
The EII and the PAWS filed criminal charges against the SBME board, composed of Americans Timothy Desmond, John Corcoran and Gail Laule, in 2001 for violation of Republic Act No. 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act, and Presidential Decree No. 1586, which mandates the Environmental Impact Statement System.
The EII and PAWS said US military forces that used Subic as a naval base for decades have not done anything to remove toxic biochemical, possibly nuclear, wastes dumped into Subic Naval Base.
They said the SBMA also has no proper sewerage system and wastes flow directly into the bay.
THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources has closed for an indefinite period the Ocean Adventure in Subic Bay Freeport Zone until its officials comply with the DENR's requirements, including an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC).
A cease and desist order issued by the DENR's Environment and Management Bureau said the Ocean Adventure, managed by the Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc. (SBME), would have to suspend its operations as the DENR reviews allegations that the park violated laws against maltreatment and abuse of whales.
"We need to close it down to review their operations because of the death of some whales. Technically and legally the Ocean Adventure management did not secure an ECC from us," Defensor said in another interview with reporters.
He said the agency deemed it necessary to uphold the decision issued recently by the Court of Appeals in May 2004 that the management of the Ocean Adventure, led by the SBME, should have first secured an ECC from the DENR before operating the park.
Defensor added that the DENR's Environment Management Bureau will lead the investigating team that would study the operations of the SBME and determine if it was complying with international standards on marine parks.
"We would want to know if the claims of non-government groups are true and if the marine animals of the park are properly cared for and if their current environment is suitable to them," he said.
Ocean Adventure offers "swim with the whales" and dolphin shows, usually to groups of excursionists from Metro Manila. In a separate statement, the SBME management said they welcome the DENR's move and will now work on securing an ECC from the DENR.
"We are already talking to the DENR and we welcome the move of Secretary Mike Defensor that will complete the resolution of the issue and clear the way for us to get a separate ECC from the DENR, in compliance with the earlier ruling of the Court of Appeals," said Gregorio Magdaraog, Ocean Adventure vice president for corporate affairs, in a statement.
The Earth Island Institute-Philippines (EII) and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) sought the closure of the marine park in Subic Bay and called on environment and health officials to save the two false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) still in captivity in the park.
The whales and some sea lions are used in amusement shows at the park.
The groups issued the call following the death of a female false killer whale in the park on July 8.
The EII and the PAWS filed criminal charges against the SBME board, composed of Americans Timothy Desmond, John Corcoran and Gail Laule, in 2001 for violation of Republic Act No. 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act, and Presidential Decree No. 1586, which mandates the Environmental Impact Statement System.
The EII and PAWS said US military forces that used Subic as a naval base for decades have not done anything to remove toxic biochemical, possibly nuclear, wastes dumped into Subic Naval Base.
They said the SBMA also has no proper sewerage system and wastes flow directly into the bay.
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