First
phase of dolphinarium opens late this year
The construction of a dolphinarium in Panama will be an alternative
for thousands of middle-class Latin Americans, who now face greater
visa restrictions to enter the United States.
Work
is underway at the site of Panama's first "Disney-like"
dolphinarium, near San Carlos, on the coast of the province of Panama.
The first phase of the project is expected to be open in late 2007
with an investment of US$23 million. It will include three large
pools nestled in the midst of the rolling hills of Playa Corona,
approximately 110 km west of Panama City.
Company
representatives state that the first phase of the dolphinarium will
offer a level of animal-human interaction "unique in the entire
world." There will be games and facilities for all ages. Students,
from todlers to college-level youngsters, will engage in recreation
as well as in activities stressing the conservation of maritime
environments.
According
to staff of the construction company in charge of the project, visitors
of the park would have the chance to interact with the dolphins.
The
dolphinarium is the brainchild of Ocean Embassy Panama, a U.S.-based
corporation expecting to invest between US$300 and 400 million in
Panama during the next seven years. The park will cover 279 hectares
(680 acres) with hotels, restaurants, golf courses and stages –the
first project of its kind in Central America.
The
dolphinarium will be an alternative for thousands of middle-class
Latin Americans, who often plan once-in-a-lifetime vacations to
similar facilities in Florida, the Caribbean or Mexico, but now
face greater visa restrictions to enter the United States.
Other dolphinariums are located in Florida, Mexico, Brazil and the
Caribbean.
The park's
location, San Carlos, is part of the "Arco Seco" ("Dry
Arch") region, which enjoys more sunny days than the rest of
the country. It is close to the growing beach communities and resorts
of the Farallón area. It is a 45-minute drive from the cool
mountain community of El Valle de Antón, and an hour and-a-half
from the country's capital.
According
to Ocean Embassy officials, the park will create 1,200 jobs, (400
of which are permanent) injecting US$125 million into the economy
during its first phase.
Controversy
over marine mammals quiets down
The
controversy involving environmentalists and government authorities
in regards to the construction of a dolphinarium in the
western sector of the province of Panama appears to be over.
In mid January, the government granted the newly-created
Acquatic Resources Authority (ARAP) the right to issue permits
for the capture of marine mammals. Last year, ARAP's request
to receive the right was turned down, but after a series
of revisions, it was reconsidered and approved with the
support of members of the country's fishing industry.
The new entity will oversee all projects affecting the rivers
of coasts of Panama (such as landfills, marinas, etc.)
Environmental protection advocates are expected to continue
the fight at the international level, as Panama has signed
several international agreements for the protection of marine
mammals.
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