Mississippi leaders: Don't Use BP Restoration Dollars for a Dolphin Prison!

BP's deepwater drilling disaster in 2010 had a huge impact on dolphins - killing them, making them sick, and even keeping them from having healthy calves for years after the spill. But instead of helping restore dolphin habitat and populations, Mississippi is planning on spending $17 million in restoration funds to build an aquarium on the coast. Even worse? This aquarium plans on putting captive dolphins on display! The Governor's plan makes BP's dolphin disaster even more tragic.

Tell Governor Bryant not to spend any BP restoration dollars on a new dolphin prison!

I used to work as a dolphin trainer at Marine Life in Gulfport, before it was washed away by Hurricane Katrina. I know first-hand that a new facility for captive dolphins is the last thing Mississippi needs.

The Mississippi Gulf coast has amazing wild dolphin pods, and great opportunities for tourists to see them in their natural habitat. But dolphins aren't meant to be in captivity. They die from stress-related sicknesses, they fight with other dolphins, and they are forced to perform behaviors they would never exhibit in the wild. Entertainment for tourists doesn't justify their unnatural treatment.

The Gulf desperately needs BP dollars to go to ecosystem restoration and recovery - wetlands, blue water, living shorelines. It's outrageous that the single largest project that the state intends to spend BP dollars on is this aquarium! Sign my petition and join me in telling the Governor and state restoration leaders to stop their plans to fund this dolphin prison with BP dollars.