The move was decried by several environmental groups, particularly for the fact that the export of dolphins had earlier been banned by the Solomon Islands government (after a similar controversial shipment to Mexico).
Perpindahan itu dikritik oleh beberapa grup lingkungan, khusunya karena fakta bagwa ekspor ikan lumba telah dilarang sebelumnya oleh pemerintah Kepulauan Solomon (setelah pengiriman kontroversial sejenis ke Meksiko).