Comment on "Between the devil and the deep blue sea" (China Daily Hong Kong Edition, Sept 21)

Some people need to be consulted about the exhibition of beluga whales and now dolphins at Ocean Park. The article, "Between the devil and the deep blue sea", provides clear evidence that the decision of Ocean Park not to display the belugas is anti-conservation, may compromise animal welfare and has no scientific basis.

The recent decision not to import dolphins from the Solomon Islands (mentioned in the article "Controversial dolphin study goes ahead") is tainted by the same brush. In the Solomon Islands, dolphins are eaten and their teeth are an essential part of traditional currency. That they export some live dolphins for exhibition and display helps conservation through public education.

Like belugas, bottlenose dolphins are not an endangered species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Both have been used for food by local peoples "forever" and the conservation challenge is to make this use sustainable.

This may offend NGOs such as the California-based Ocean Futures Society, which like similar NGOs give the impression that they would rather see marine mammals dead than being used or displayed, even to promote conservation.

Charlie Lim, vie e-mail

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(China Daily 09/28/2011 page9)