In the summer of 2010 we ran Jennifer Chandler's interview with Chris Porter. Among many things discussed was his campaign to release 13 dolphins in August. Here is what happened. Jill Crossland, Editor 

 When we left Christopher Porter and the politics of the dolphins in the Solomon Islands back in July 2010, it was clear that Porter had an agenda to raise money and political support to aid in his Free the Pod campaign. The project was designed to protect and track the dolphins in addition to providing an alternative livelihood for the Solomon’s people. It may have been of great benefit to everyone involved, including the dolphins, if it had worked out.  Mr. Porter had stated that the dolphins in his facility would be prepared for and released in August 2010, regardless of how successful he was in raising awareness and funds for his campaign.  He was confident that he would prevail and his mission would be completed on time.

I received periodic updates on the circumstances surrounding the release of these animals, accompanied by Porter’s frustrations. It was difficult to determine really what was going on but even Porter concluded his reputation may have hindered its success.  “The negative reputation of mine stopped some serious ability to change the situation in the Solomon’s. A failed Free the Pod and a "made for TV" conservation piece is actually going to create an increased exploitation of dolphins in the Solomon’s, making the industry go more underground.”

The “made for TV” show he is referring to is Ric O’Barry’s collaboration with his son Lincoln on a series for Animal Planet called Blood Dolphins. Though there was some talk of Porter and O’Barry supporting each other’s efforts, it appears there may be some bad blood still between these two men. On top of the lack of concrete partnerships between conservation organizations such as Earth Island Institute, Christopher Porter offered multiple reasons for the failed campaign and release of the animals: “Other collectors had set up nets outside the facility, weather, lack of funding, Government elections, riots and loss of belief by some of the staff,” all apparently contributed.   

There was an emergency release of five animals in July “The 5 were for breeding, not export and released with photo id to monitor them.” This did yield one elder female dolphin named “Queen” to be successfully free, as she chose to be on her own. “Protecting the others from being simply caught for export, which would defeat the whole experiment and seriously create questions on what this was all for... they were protected.” The others remained confined to the facility and while Porter headed back to Canada to get support for these remaining dolphins all but one died. Lack of food and the above mentioned challenges blamed for their demise.

Then came an update entitled “Hope Still Exist for One Captive Born.” However, watching animals that are not fed consistently, who are unable to be protected from the bounty that exists on their heads hardly inspired hope at all; the entire operation was failing fast. The idea may have been sound but the willingness to truly commit to making freedom the priority never emerged. The hope quickly died with one last breath taken by a defenceless and captive young dolphin.  Porter offered, “In their culture (the Solomons) a dolphin has value in death as much as in life.”

What happens from here? Mr. Porter is working on a new campaign called Beyond Aquariums, Beyond Activism and became the interim Leader for the Canadian Action Party whose focus is on protecting Canadian sovereignty. The latter seemingly, light years away from the fate of his Free the Pod campaign.

In a more recent communication Porter shared that Ric O’Barry had told him that “Perhaps semi-captivity is better than confinement” and Porter went on to write  that “The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums is working on a relationship with a new city in Japan to capture dolphins for aquariums instead of killing them. These are all options and suggestion I have been promoting from the Solomons. Are these gains or losses....I am not completely sure.” It appears Christopher Porter is moving on, the deaths of the dolphins becoming a distant memory as he pitches the value of open aquariums; sea pens for marine mammals.  

It is hard to remain objective with this story as the politics, money and egos that keep this trade alive were never more apparent. The lack of meaningful partnerships, the sale of dolphin meat, the $150,000+ per dolphin paid by individuals, parks and aquariums and the strategic self-serving alliances all continue. Above all else remains the publics’ insatiable appetite to see these animals outside their natural environment which creates a lucrative business, especially for those who are creative with their involvement. I venture to guess that we are a long way from any of these individuals, activists, businesses, governments and organizations from ever working together successfully on a project, especially in the scope of Free the Pod.

The facts are that “one captive born” watched each of its pod die and still those opposed to captivity wait for movement from the powers that be.  There were no heroes that came to the rescue of these animals, instead just a sad group of humans who had a chance to be revolutionary in their approach to protection and conservation who failed. No matter what transpires from here on in there was opportunity lost. It was the dolphins that paid the ultimate price because the humans involved all had their own agendas.   

(Attempts to contact Earth Island Institute regarding Porters comments – unsuccessful prior to press time)