Last Monday, there was a meeting at Kaş Belediye regarding 4 bottlenose dolphins that were transported from Bodrum to Kaş on 8th December.

Altogether there were about 80 people in the Belediye meeting room - about 90% of whom were Turkish, and proceedings were conducted almost entirely in Turkish.

A number of short speeches were made from the platform, and the audience also contributed from time to time.

On the platform were representatives from the local Diving Association, the Turkish SAD-DEMAG organisation, (an underwater environmental group), Kaş Tourism Association, Kaş Belediye, and someone with knowledge of Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT).  The Mayor of Kaş made a brief appearance.

Below: The platform speakers.

The audience included representatives from the Dolphin Angels group, who recently worked to release former Kaş dolphins, Tom and Misha, from a facility in Hisaronu. 

Also present were people involved in the business that recently brought these 4 new dolphins to Kaş, including Erhan Sarıcaoğlu, who spoke of the benefits of having such a facility. 

Below: Around 80 people were present in the Belediye meeting room.

From our observations and conversations, we would say that the vast majority of those present were not in favour of having the dolphins in Kaş.

The lady speaking on behalf of the local Diving Association told the meeting that the group was opposed to keeping these dolphins in captivity. 

The SAD-DEMAG representative drew upon their experience with Tom and Misha, and explained how difficult and expensive it was to rehabilitate dolphins, so they can return to the wild.  They suggested that perhaps the most pragmatic course is to ensure these 4 dolphins in Kaş are monitored, and are given larger pens in the sea.

It would be fair to say that things have not gone smoothly with Tom and Misha - it is over 15 months since they were removed from Hisaronu, and they have not yet been returned to the wild.

The Kaş Tourism Association, which represents scores of businesses, was clearly against the dolphin facility.

There were discussions about the Belediye's role in allowing the site to be used as a DAT dolphinarium. 

The Mayor of Kaş said that the Belediye had not been asked for, nor had it given permission for a dolphin facility. 

The meeting drifted to an end, as people began to leave.  There was a moment of drama when a gentleman representing the dolphin facility had his photograph taken by one of the protesters.  The police were called, and after a brief session at the police station, the matter was diffused, and everyone went home.

The outcome of the meeting is far from clear.  The protesters will probably see this as a useful get together, where names were put to faces, information was shared, and an 'espirit de corps' was created. 

They will no doubt have derived satisfaction from the number of people who turned out to make their feelings known.

Also unclear is the legal status of the dolphin facility.  Many people believe that they do not have permission to operate, and this appears to have been confirmed by the Mayor.

Below: Protesters outside the Belediye building in Kaş, just before the meeting.

So what will be the fate of these captive creatures?
For now, they remain in their pen, in the sea, adjacent to the marina.  KTLN understands that it is not actually possible, (or probably desirable), to return them to captivity in Bodrum.

If the present owners were to give in to the protesters, what exactly would happen?  We are not sure that anyone knows the answer to that question.

The SAD-DEMAG organisation do not appear to be willing to assist, as they did with Tom and Misha.  This appears to be a position arrived at, after considering the costs involved and also the inherent risks to the dolphins themselves, during any rescue and rehabilitation process.

Meanwhile, the Free the Kas Dolphins Facebook page continues to monitor the situation, with a core of dedicated activists keen to publicise events, and gain further support.  They would no doubt argue that despite the risks and challenges of rehabilitation, it is better to try, rather than leave the dolphins where they are.

As and when we hear of any significant developments, we will bring you details.

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