News – National
2016-12-22
Namibian.com.na
by Adam Hartman
Summary:
Two companies applied for permits to catch dolphins, whales, seals, and penguins in order to transport them to aquariums in China. These companies are called Beijing Ruier Animal Breeding and Promoting Company (a Chinese company) and Welwitschia Aquatic and Wildlife Scientific Research (a Namibian company). There was much opposition to this plan after the information became public. The Chinese company made several accusatory and inflamatory statements in response to the opposition, including blaming the opposition on wealthy foreigners with white skins. The Fisheries permanent secretary, Moses Maurihungirire, said that the government needed time to evaluate their permit, but the two companies decided not to wait and instead withdrew their application.