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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-93-13and RESOLUTION NO. R-93-13 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA; REQUESTING THAT DOLPHINS BE DECLARED A NATIONAL TREASURE AND PROVIDED PROTECTION FROM CAPTURE; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF RESOLUTIONS OR PARTS OF RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, dolphins have a high mortality rate in captivity; WHEREAS, nearly half of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the world's aquariums are captured from Florida waters; and WHEREAS, seventy-five (75) bottlenose dolphins have been captured from the Indian River Lagoon since 1972, the year of passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act; and WHEREAS, current population estimates place the entire Indian River Lagoon dolphin population at only two to three hundred dolphins; and WHEREAS, the National Marine Fisheries Service does not verify compliance of foreign facilities who claim to meet the standards of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Animal Welfare Act; and WHEREAS, it is estimated that half of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin population died during the epidemic between 1987 and 1989; and WHEREAS, the City Council realizes that dolphins may migrate outside the jurisdictional waters of Sebastian; and WHEREAS, the city Council expresses its desire that dolphins be protected from capture and exploitation for the enjoyment of future generations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council for the City of Sebastian, Indian River County, Florida, as follows: SECTION 1. The city council requests of all government officials and representatives, as well as regulatory agencies and commissions, that dolphins be declared a national treasure and removal from their natural environment be forbidden. SECTION 2. The Marine Mammal Protection Act 1972 be strengthened to provide dolphin protection to the fullest extent possible. SECTION 3. The city Clerk is hereby directed to send certified copies of this resolution to United States Senator Robert Graham, united States Senator Connie Mack, United States Congressman James Baccus, Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, Florida State Senator Patti Grogan, Florida State Representative Howard Futch, National Marine Fisheries Service, Marine Mammal Commission, Florida Department of Natural Resources, Brevard County Department of Natural Resources and the Dolphin Alliance. SECTION 4. All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. SECTION 5. This resolution shall become effective upon its adoption. The foregoing Resolution Councilmember was a vote, the vote was as follows: moved for adoption by The motion was seconded by and, upon being put into Mayor Lonnie R. Powell Vice Mayor Frank oberbeck Councilmember Carolyn Corum Councilmember Norma Damp Councilmember Robert Freeland The Mayor thereupon declared this Resolution duly passed and adopted this /~ day of _/~~ , 1993. CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA ~6n'nie R~ P~w Mayor Kathr~n ~. O'Halloran, CMC/AME city Clerk (SEAL) Approve.~d.~~ and Content: ~harl~ 'Ian Nash City Attorney