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Caller laments loss of ‘swim with the dolphins’ tourism to St Thomas

- E. Walwyn Brewley reminds of the saying ‘Over there, they eating your Sunday morning bread on a Saturday night’
Dolphin Discovery in the [British] Virgin Islands prior to the 2017 hurricanes. During an edition of Hot Seat with Mr Julian Gordon and E. Walwyn Brewley on ZBVI 780 AM on March 6, 2024, a caller lamented the loss of the swim with the dolphins’ tourism to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands (USVI). Photo: VINO/File
A petition by a Neil Day was launched in 2019 to stop the return of Dolphin Discovery and it had amassed over 2400 signatures at the time. Photo: change.org/File
A petition by a Neil Day was launched in 2019 to stop the return of Dolphin Discovery and it had amassed over 2400 signatures at the time. Photo: change.org/File
In 2018, Coral World Ocean Park built a 69,000 sq. ft. (about 1.6 acres) dolphin sea sanctuary, a first of its kind in St Thomas. Photo: Coral World Ocean Park/YouTube
In 2018, Coral World Ocean Park built a 69,000 sq. ft. (about 1.6 acres) dolphin sea sanctuary, a first of its kind in St Thomas. Photo: Coral World Ocean Park/YouTube
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- During an edition of Hot Seat with Mr Julian Gordon and E. Walwyn Brewley on ZBVI 780 AM on March 6, 2024, a caller lamented the loss of the swim with the dolphins’ tourism to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands (USVI).

During the devastating hurricanes of September 2017, the Dolphin Discovery facility at Prospect Reef was destroyed; however, in 2019, the Government had announced that it was close to finalising contractual arrangements with the Management of Dolphin Discovery that would result in the commencement of works at a section of Prospect Reef Hotel and Resort to facilitate the return of ‘Swim with the Dolphins’.

It was also announced that then Junior Minister for Tourism, Shareen D. Flax-Charles (AL) had been tasked with realising the return of Dolphin Discovery and that the aim was to have the tourist attraction in place for the next height of the [2020] cruise tourism season.

Following the announcement; however, a petition by a Neil Day was launched to stop the return of Dolphin Discovery and it had amassed over 2400 signatures at the time.

Dolphin sea sanctuary built in STT

Meanwhile, in 2018, Coral World Ocean Park built a dolphin sea sanctuary, a first of its kind in St Thomas. Coral World Ocean Park said the 69,000 sq. ft. (about 1.6 acres) dolphin sea sanctuary features a large, open swim space for the dolphins as well as areas designed to facilitate animal healthcare and areas throughout where dolphins can choose to explore on their own.

“They finally get their own swim with the dolphins [in] St Thomas. Boy, a tell ayo in Tortola, you hear,” the caller to Hot Seat lamented.

Co-host of the show Mr Brewley responded:” What they used to say? Over there, they eating your Sunday morning bread on a Saturday night.”

“Tortola people, you have a good night,” the caller stated before hanging up.

Co-host Mr Gordon said the VI suffered badly with the loss of the dolphin park at Prospect Reef following the hurricanes of 2017 and that “It will be of interest to see if, in fact, they will have it returned.”

According to Mr Brewley, the area that was once Dolphin Discovery is now an eyesore.

Mr Gordon chimed in that such a critical piece of real estate has been “left sitting there has left us without much benefit for a number of years.”

17 Responses to “Caller laments loss of ‘swim with the dolphins’ tourism to St Thomas”

  • Karnage (14/03/2024, 14:02) Like (21) Dislike (20) Reply
    These YT people with their petition taking money out our lil economy then going back states to Sea World lol. Tortola people got to stupidey as the saying goes.
    • @Karnage (14/03/2024, 14:59) Like (24) Dislike (7) Reply
      The time you take typing that your premier done been on 3 flights. Who really taking money out our lil economy?
  • WHAT!!! (14/03/2024, 14:03) Like (49) Dislike (16) Reply

    The way the dolphins were kept here in such a small dirty pen was inhumane and a disgrace just so R*****s could make money.

  • Animals for Profit (14/03/2024, 14:07) Like (50) Dislike (18) Reply
    It was disgusting that it existed here in the first place. Most civilized countries have woken up to the fact that these amazing creatures should be free in the wild and not used for entertainment to line the rich pockets of a few. The facilities that were here, were appalling, poor condition, too small, below standard and eventually unsuitable to keep live animals . Long may it be that we never see such a thing adding in the BVI
  • skuntington (14/03/2024, 14:34) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    sound immature, like how much revenue was even being generated by those old dolphins?
  • its the 21st century. Move on. (14/03/2024, 14:38) Like (34) Dislike (3) Reply
    The global tourism business is moving away from inhumane attractions such as captive dolphins towards more natural experiences. Look around you, these islands have beauty on every side. Get the tourists in and on the sea to experience mother nature in the wild.
  • facts (14/03/2024, 14:55) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    Where are the data that show that the VI suffered badly after the onslaught of the hurricanes? Do we have figures?
  • cruel (14/03/2024, 15:08) Like (24) Dislike (3) Reply
    Keeping dolphins is cruel and unacceptable, most civilized countries have banned it. There was a campaign just before the hurricane to attempt to close it down, mother nature knew it was wrong and took care of it herself. The captive animal attractions have been proven to deter the modern day tourist who are appalled at countries still engaging in barbaric behavior.
  • Chris P Bacon (14/03/2024, 15:20) Like (35) Dislike (6) Reply
    This is not tourism, most smart and responsible countries in the world are closing these inhumane mammal jails. This island is beautiful enough without having intelligent animals suffer for our pleasure. The first Dolphin Discovery should never have been allowed to open in the first place. I hope this disgusting business never ever operates here again.
  • tola (14/03/2024, 15:55) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Switzerland, Costa Rica, India and Croatia banned it
  • skuntington (14/03/2024, 18:23) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    better off promoting whale and dolphin watching in the wild and restoring coral than a small low budget attraction for penned up dolphins
  • PROTECT TURTLES (14/03/2024, 19:27) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    What is even more disgusting is the killing of sea turtles. Do people realize the spiritual significance of these creatures? This is a more crying shame than dolphins. No one seems to care.
  • Disgrace (14/03/2024, 21:47) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    You go get in a cage and let people come take pics with you. A tiny cage. An unhappy life. See how that is for you. Shame on you for thinking that is ok. Disgusting is the word I have for you!!!!!!
  • DATS WHA MYRUN SEH (14/03/2024, 21:56) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    THE VIP GIVE AWAY OUR LUNCH
  • lol (14/03/2024, 21:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    good riddance
  • Wait (15/03/2024, 09:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Come west. They always in the harbot


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