So Long and Thanks for All the Fish?

Marine Life in Gulfport was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Several dolphins and sea lions were swept out into the Gulf of Mexico and were subsequently rescued. All of the dolphins, sea lions, exotic birds which once called Marine Life home are now spread throughout the country. Kinda of like the human inhabitants of the Coast.

The dolphins have been spread out around the country. Five are living at the Gulfarium in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., eight are at the Seabee base on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, two are in a national aquarium in Baltimore and two are at a Six Flags theme park in New Jersey, said David Lion, the president of Marine Life. Forbes

David Jacobs and Dr. Moby Solangi, who own Marine Life, are currently in a court battle which will decide the future of the dolphins, sea lions, and exotic birds. Jacobs wants them to go to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas and Dr. Solangi is opposed to the idea.

Rothe, a civilian, said the Navy generally does not keep animals in the temporary pools for more than three weeks. While they are not in immediate danger, the dolphins living in Mississippi have been confined to the pools for several months.

"The animals really ought to be getting into a larger environment that is set up to better facilitate their husbandry and good health," Rothe said.Forbes

This is a very emotional issue for us on the Mississippi Coast. The rescue of the dolphins that had been swept out to sea was uplifting and in a way has become a symbol for the rebuilding. But since the owners of Marine Life have both said it will be years before the facilities can be rebuilt, I think the dolphins, sea lions, and birds should go to Atlantis.

The Forbes article has described the home that is waiting for them and to me it would be paradise for them.

The dolphins will live in seven interconnected resident pools at Atlantis, with more than 6 million gallons of sea water. The dolphins will each have 250,000 gallons of water - more than 10 times the amount required by U.S. regulations.

All but seven of the dolphins have already left the Mississippi Coast. It would hurt to have them go but realistically, all 17 of the dolphins, the 24 sea lions, and 22 exotic birds will be better off at Atlantis. These dolphins have been together for years and they should stay together. Atlantis has even made the generous offer to sponsor Mississippi Gulf Coast school kids to visit the dolphins. I don't want to see them go but I also want them to be together in facilities that are conducive to their good health. Perhaps a deal could be made with Atlantis to keep the animals until Marine Life can be rebuilt and then they could return to their Gulfport home.




Frontal view of Marine Life in Gulfport