New Office Location: Graceway House, B203 Leeward Highway, Box 361 Providenciales, TCI 649-332-6418

Providenciales Chamber of Commerce Press Release

Dolphinarium at Cooper Jack
November 20, 2012 The Providenciales Chamber of Commerce opposes the Development of a dolphinarium at Cooper Jack, Providenciales as proposed by the Jamaican company Dolphin Cove Ltd. The Chamber urges the Planning Board to reject the application at the first opportunity, and regrets very much the Governors action in changing the law at short notice in order to legalize holding captive marine mammals, whether for entertainment or any other purpose. TCI commerce is presently critically dependent on tourism and second property ownership. Given the high cost of air travel to and from the TCI, and the high cost of doing business here, combined with the physically limited capacity of the islands to absorb visitors and commercial activity, the Chamber of Commerce firmly believes that the future prosperity of the TCI must lie in high value added activities. As the Chief Executive of Dolphin Cove Ltd has pointed out in his press release, performing dolphins appeal to the low end mass tourism market in destinations appropriate for that sector. TCI has invested heavily in a justified high end brand, including up market water sports and marine activities, including, when he and his relatives permit, swimming with the much loved Jo-Jo. This brand can be broken and sullied very easily, with potentially costly consequence for our members. If the Planning Board permits this activity to proceed, the price in terms of lost profits and employment, and the exceptional cost of damage to our environment and beautiful by nature image will far exceed any comparatively small benefits arising to the exchequer from the proposed project. Tina Fenimore, President For enquiries please call The Providenciales Chamber of Commerce 649-331-6418