PLANS which would see a habitat built by Dolphin Quest off the Bermuda Maritime Museum in Dockyard have caused concern among some of the island's environmental and animal protection groups.

The potential threat the facility might pose to the area's soft corals, the appropriateness of keeping animals in captivity - period - and whether or not there was an acceptable, established set of guidelines with respect to caring for marine mammals, were just some of the issues raised as the internationally-run company applied to extend the animals' playground.

"I don't think dolphins belong in Bermuda," said veterinarian Maureen Ware of Hannover Veterinary Hospital & Kennels. "It's very much the way I feel with the circus. I think, in this day and age, it's possible to have an amazing experience without keeping animals (for display) captive, as has been shown through the Jason Project.

"I believe if people are serious with their motivation or sensitive to the needs of the planet, ourselves and our fellow species, we should radically review our (stance). It's not up for discussion if you have my kind of view."

Dolphin Quest applied to the Planning Department last week for permission to pen off 2.56 acres of ocean floor off the Maritime Museum for the eight dolphins it houses. An assessment, carried out by a team of veterinarians, Dolphin Quest staff and technicians, determined that the company's proposal would have no negative effect on either the marine environment or human populations, but would greatly benefit the dolphins.

It is planned that the new habitat will be attached to the current pond by an existing tunnel previously used for the passage of boats in and out of the protected keep area. The habitat will be separated from the open water by a four-inch PVC mesh fence with a stainless steel cable float line and anchored to the sea floor.

Although the Marine Resources Board lent its support to the changes, the Mid-Ocean News understands that both the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Bermuda National Trust have strong concerns. According to a Trust member, the group plans to submit its concerns to the Department of Planning but will not object to the development.

"As far as it affects the environment in general, we've no great concerns," the member said. "One concern is that they mention in their impact statement, that there are no corals in the area when there are really hundreds of soft corals which may be easily viewed from the shoreline and the ramparts.

"These are a protected species in Bermuda and so we are concerned that (the corals) be monitored for any impact. However, as long as Dolphin Quest maintains an acceptable international standard (of regulations) it's not a Trust issue. We might have opinions but we're not professionals in that area."

Additional concerns raised in the meeting, the member said, were:

That breeding of dolphins in Bermuda be regulated as commercial breeding.

That at present, there are no regulating bodies for marine mammals on the island.

The number of dolphins be restricted to an international standard.

That safety of dolphins, humans and historic monuments be a priority. And the Trust recommended that breeding be licensed and regulated, international standards from the US or the UK be applied in respect to marine mammals in the case of swim-with-the-dolphins programmes, and that all coral species be recorded and indicated in an environmental impact assessment.

SPCA inspector Charles Whited said his organisation did have concerns but needed more information before any could be lodged.

"We have lots of concerns about what they're proposing to do but it's too early to comment right now. We have sent requests to (the Department of Environmental Protection) for more information but as we have not formally had notification on what they are planning on doing and it's now in its infancy stages, it's too soon to be firing criticisms."

However, an SPCA volunteer said the view that the animals were being held captive, used for financial gain and kept in unnatural surroundings, did not leave a good impression on most animal lovers.

"I'm not a big fan of animals being held like that in captivity especially when being used for financial gain," she said. "The ideal situation, as far as I'm concerned, is where they were.

"That setting is far more natural than what they have now. One of my concerns is that they plan on extending through the actual entrance of the moat but I'm also worried about is the quality of the water - whether there's enough circulation and what the water temperature is like at low tide. Because it's such a restricted area, and because of the height of the surrounding walls, there's very little natural flow and as a result, the water temperature must get pretty hot on a summer afternoon when (it's low tide)."

According to Government veterinarian Jonathan Nisbett, Dolphin Quest meets the highest standards and regularly puts into practice some of those recommendations suggested by the National Trust.

"We do an inspection of their facility at least annually," he said. "We've always found it to be a positive experience and have no problems with the Dolphin Quest facility as it is being kept. I know there are people who were concerned about the space, but if they are going to be critical, (the submitted plans) should make them happier as it will give the dolphins more space to roam.

"As to the quality of the water and its temperature, Dolphin Quest keeps great records. They show that there is a good water flow through there and that the water is very clean."

Maritime Museum director Dr. Edward Harris yesterday welcomed Dolphin Quest as a permanent addition to the Dockyard, saying he believed the location had greatly assisted its educational impact.

"Clearly the Southampton Princess hotel is not rebuilding the (original) damaged facility so by the looks of it they may be (at the Museum) for quite a while. They seem to take first-class care of the animals, although I am not a veterinarian nor an expert. They're certainly getting an audience here that they would not have had at the hotel in the location they were in - next to people sunning themselves."

Dolphin Quest was forced to close its former South Shore location, off the Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel, after it was destroyed by Hurricane Gert three years ago. The group decided to make their new home a permanent one, approximately a year or two later, said Dr. Nisbett.

"It's my understanding that they had no desire to return (to the Princess) in light of the difficulties encountered with storms and protection. (The first) was nice. It was an enclosed bay. But when you figure in storms, and moving animals, it gets a little risky. I'd rather see them at Dockyard where they don't have to be moved."

However, Dr. Ware said the main concern should not be where the animals should be, but whether they should be here at all.

"Dolphins do not hang around Bermuda and there must be a reason for that. If they felt comfortable within the reef boundaries, they would be there and they're not. I don't purport to be an expert, but from what I can gather through talking with sailors, is that they first encounter dolphins hundreds of miles off Bermuda. The bottom line is that they don't belong here or even migrate through our waters."

Dr. Nisbett said that as long as the facility continued to meet - and in some instances it surpassed - standards established by international bodies, there was no case for them to answer.

"It all goes back to the same issue. Is (keeping animals in such a manner) a proper thing that man should be doing? What we want is to educate the public and a big part of Dolphin Quest is its environment and welfare issues. It's a great opportunity to educate people but unfortunately it's a knife that cuts both ways. There are pros and cons and it will probably be debated forever."