Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield has upheld the Development Application Board?s rejection of a proposal to build a dolphin sanctuary at Sinky Bay ? despite the Deputy Premier?s public pledge of support for the plan.

The original Dolphin Oasis application, submitted by Bermudian couple Martin and Lyn Hassell, was turned down in December last year on a number of different grounds ? including the large amount of dredging that would have been required to make the bay ? adjacent to the Wyndham Southampton Resort (formerly the Sonesta Beach Hotel) ? habitable for dolphins.

The Hassells immediately appealed against the decision to Mrs. Butterfield, who consulted with a number of overseas experts before ruling on the matter.

The appeal argued that the potential environmental damage of dredging the bay had been exaggerated and also accused local environmentalists of manipulating into stirring up negative publicity.

Their case looked to have been strengthened in February, when Tourism Minister Ewart Brown came out in support of the plan, pledging to speak with Mrs. Butterfield and do all that he could to undermine the objections of what he termed ?the old Bermuda people?.

While Dr. Brown was adamant a new dolphin sanctuary would only enhance Bermuda?s tourism product, any lobbying behind the scenes on his part now appears to have been in vain.

The plan is now dead in the water given that the Environment Minister?s decision is final and can only be overturned in the courts on a point of law.

?The Ministry had found that the DAB?s concerns were valid and consequently dismissed the appeal,? a Ministry spokesman said yesterday.

?It is considered that there is insufficient information on the extent of dredging that would be required and the environmental impacts of carrying out such dredging. The Minister has indicated that she would have preferred a comprehensive environmental impact assessment to help determine what all the impacts would be and whether such impacts could be mitigated in order to safeguard the environmental protection of the area.?

The announcement brings to an end a successful seven-month campaign by a large number of environmentalists, both local and foreign.

Bermuda was thrust into the international spotlight when the application was first submitted in December, 2004, after prominent environmental organisations including the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the Dolphin Conservation Society voiced their opposition from afar.

Meanwhile, 40 local environmentalists marched on Cabinet in March to register their objections with Government.

Bermudian pop star Heather Nova, former parliamentarian Stuart Hayward and well-known activist Graeme Outerbridge were among the protesters led by biologist Lisa Vickers.

American-owned Dolphin Quest, the Island?s only dolphin sanctuary in Dockyard, also objected to the plan.

Ms Vickers and the Hassells are currently off the Island and were unavailable for comment.

However, Mr. Outerbridge said he believed the decision to have been ?the right and sensible one?. ?From a purely Planning point of view there was not much to object to,? he said.

?But the bay would have had to have undergone large-scale dredging in order to get the footage required for marine animals to exist comfortably and this could have adversely impacted the nearby reefs.?

Along with Ms Vickers, Mr. Outerbridge is a staunch opponent of keeping animals in captivity and argued that Dolphin Quest should now be shut down. ?If a Bermudian couple is prevented from opening a dolphin sanctuary, it begs the question why we are still allowing an American company to run a dolphin facility on the Island,? he said.