A report on the future of Bermuda's environment and infrastructure in the face of increasing cruise ship activity was unveiled recently.

And the Bermuda National Trust's Report on the Potential Impacts of Cruise Ships on Bermuda's environment by Bermuda Biological Station for Research scientist Dr. Samia Sarkis called for better marine environment protection.

It also urged further scientific study and careful decision making when it came to making future cruise ship policy "as it would ultimately effect the quality of life on the Island''.

Bermuda's current cruise ship policy will expire in 2000 and Dr. Sarkis pointed out that the industry was moving toward larger vessels which would impact even more heavily on the Island's environment and infrastructure -- but just how much more was not known.

"Much of Bermuda's infrastructure, in terms of waste disposal, transportation, and land-based facilities, is at present heavily impacted by the cruise ship industry,'' he said.

"And although various governmental groups or individuals are aware of the existing limitations of the system, the further impact imposed by larger ships seems to be uncertain in many areas of potential concern.'' The lack of knowledge and the inability to gauge the long-term impact of the industry was caused by sporadic scientific research and a lack of sound scientific data, said Dr. Sarkis.

"This points to the requirement of multi-disciplinary studies to assess long-term impact of such issues as waste disposal, leaching of contaminants, and the effect of sedimentation on coral reefs, issues which are concerned with the preservation of Bermuda's fragile ecosystem.'' This ecosystem received some protection by statute from certain pieces of legislation such as the Oil Spill Act and the Clean Air Act, continued Dr.

Sarkis.

"However it (available legislation) appears to be lacking or inadequate for all other issues concerning the input of contaminants into the inshore waters, whether they originate from waste disposal, boat cleaning, leaching from anti-fouling paints, among others,'' he said.

"Although newly built cruise ships are designed to be more environmentally friendly in terms of the type of fuel used, waste management etc., Bermuda must have regulations to control these activities, and the ability to enforce them.'' "In brief,'' continued Dr. Sarkis, "it appears that issues raised pertaining to the advent of larger cruise ships relate in major part to Bermuda's small surface area, and to the logistics involved in life on the Island; the location of residential homes and other buildings less than 200 yards from cruise ship berths, the management of waste disposal, the compounded effect of land-based tourism and cruise ship tourism, the accommodation of land-based facilities for both visitors and a high resident population, and lastly the multi-use of the marine environment as an aesthetic, touristic and economic asset raise questions on the preservation of the quality of life for both residents and visitors.

"This ultimately relies on the carrying capacity of Bermuda itself, one of the most important parameters in considering increased tourism and one which appears to be an unknown for this Island.'' Trust director Amanda Outerbridge noted: "Some of the Trust's findings are disconcerting, indicating that, when decisions are being made about the future cruise ship policy, the potential for environmental impact due to cruise ship operation in Bermuda must be given very serious review.

"We believe there is an urgent need for further careful study before Bermuda commits to larger cruise ships in our inshore waters, harbours and ports.'' Dr. Sarkis agreed and added that the long-term impact of the cruise ship industry on Bermuda's infrastructure and environment also had to be balanced against the economic benefits the industry brought the Island.

"Ideally, Bermuda's land and marine environment needs to be attributed a value which may be incorporated in the development of a tourism plan for the Island,'' he said.

The report by Dr. Sarkis included a number of recommendations.

These covered the broad issues of sewage; coral reef sedimentation; dredging; anti-fouling and leaching contaminants; dockside cleaning; disposal of oil contaminated bilge water; recyclables and compost; cruise ship emissions; noise pollution; and infrastructure/transportation issues.

However more specific suggestions were made including: Imposing an environmental levy to compensate for potential environmental impacts not covered by insurance; approaching the industry for contributions toward upgrading facilities to accommodate larger ships; reviewing the three-port marketing concept as it increased shipping channel movement which would lead to more sediment being stirred up and more coral reef damage; surveying passengers travelling on larger cruise ships to assess those vessels' likelihood of long-term success; conducting a cost/benefit analysis of land-based tourism versus cruise ship tourism to determine the cost and risks associated with expanding the latter; establishing an inter-ministerial planning team to review the industry and options for future cruise ship policy; and performing a full environmental assessment prior to upgrading facilities to cope with the larger vessels.

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