This month, Dolphin Encounters is proud to announce its recertification by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA).

An international association committed to representing “marine life parks, aquariums, zoos, research facilities and professional organizations” dedicated to the “care for marine mammals and to their conservation in the wild”, AMMPA has been holding its members to high standards for over 25 years.

Founded in 1987, AMMPA’s mission has been to educate its alliance members and the general public about marine mammal biology and history. Sensitizing the public about the delicacy of the marine environment and the vitality of preserving it is at the fore of AMMPA’s priorities. In doing so, AMMPA ensures that facilities offering public displays of marine mammals uphold the alliance’s guidelines to safeguard the marine mammals’ physical and psychological health as well as provide optimal environmental conditions.

Dolphin Encounters became a member of AMMPA in 1997, confirming its status as one of the top marine parks in its field. Over the years, Dolphin Encounters has grown from a dolphin rescue project with two dolphins and three employees to one of New Providence’s most popular attractions with 18 dolphins, six sea lions and more than 150 committed team members. Living in human care in a natural sea water lagoon, the dolphin family have experienced three successful births in their habitat.

In accordance with AMMPA’s objective of acquiring knowledge of marine mammals through husbandry data collection and serving as an educational source for visitors, Dolphin Encounters provides the opportunity to observe marine mammals in a secure and natural environment. The facility also participates in research programs involving its resident dolphins and wild dolphins to contribute to data collection. Dolphin Encounters is known for offering a range of education and marine conservation programs, like its Project B.E.A.C.H. initiative and Marine Education Poster Contest.

It is this commitment to its aquatic family and the environment that has earned Dolphin Encounters consistently high marks during AMMPA’s evaluations, which are done every five years. The Bahamian organization is pleased to report that it surpassed all of AMMPA’s expectations during its most recent review.

“Dolphin Encounters is proud to have maintained its position as an AMMPA member,” said Dolphin Encounters Managing Director Robert Meister. “Our staff work hard to make sure that we are doing our part in keeping our marine mammal family healthy and happy and in educating the public about doing their part to preserve the natural marine environment.”