Environmentalists and Grand Bahama residents have raised concerns about the safety of 15 captive dolphins because of a dredging operation being conducted in their holding pen.<\/P><\/p>\n
Sam Duncombe, president of the environmental group ReEarth, has called for the dredging to “stop immediately,” and for the dolphins to be removed before it recommences.<\/P><\/p>\n
The Underwater Explorer’s Society (Unexso) did not deny that the operation is being conducted with the dolphins still inside the pen, but said it poses absolutely no danger to them.<\/P><\/p>\n
“We have more concern for the dolphins than anyone; its our business,” Unexso representative Don Churchill said.<\/P><\/p>\n
Unexso conducts supervised swims with captive dolphins at their facility in Grand Bahama.<\/P><\/p>\n
Mr Churchill said that the dredging operation was being conducted on a very small scale and that US experts, including a veterinarian, had been consulted during the planning of the operation and were continuing to monitor its progress.<\/P><\/p>\n
According to Mr Churchill, the operation consists of the insertion of an eight inch pipe which sucks silt out in a small corner of the nine-acre size pen.<\/P><\/p>\n
He explained that over the years, silt and refuse washing in from the sea has accumulated at the bottom of the pen.<\/P><\/p>\n
Mr Churchill denied suggestions by residents of the nearby Tamarind Subdivision that Unexso lacks a permit for the operation.<\/P><\/p>\n
Deputy Director of Fisheries Eddison Deleveaux told The Tribune that his department had not issued such a permit to Unexso.<\/P><\/p>\n
He said that he has instructed the Environmental Health office in Grand Bahama to conduct an “urgent” investigation into the operation.<\/P><\/p>\n
Mr Churchill said however that the relevant permit had been granted by the Grand Bahama Port Authority.<\/P><\/p>\n
The issue first arose when residents became concerned about the operation, both in terms of the safety of dolphins and its effect on the surrounding area.<\/P><\/p>\n
They told The Tribune they were particularly concerned about the possibility of an unpleasant odour arising from any dolphin faeces that might be dredged up.<\/P><\/p>\n
They said that the operation is turning the water white in the pen and a nearby canal.<\/P><\/p>\n
Mr Churchill acknowledged that there was a small area of unsettled silt around the pipe.<\/P><\/p>\n
This, he said, was inevitable, and will have no effect on the dolphins in such a large pen.<\/P><\/p>\n
He said the operation was actually beneficial for the dolphins as it is clearing out a layer of thin silt and refuse that is easily stirred up and often makes the water cloudy in the pen.<\/P><\/p>\n
Mrs Duncombe said that if the government lacks the manpower to effectively monitor the facilities already in existence, it should not be granting permission for further developments.<\/P><\/p>\n
She pointed out that the Bahamas is in the process of formulating a Marine Mammal Protection Act and said the government should be concentrating on making the legislation as effective as possible.<\/P><\/p>\n
As it stands, Mrs Duncombe said, the proposed legislation does little more than pay “lip service” to both established dolphin facilities and future ones.<\/P><\/p>\n
Paco Nunez, The Tribune<\/B>
\nMarch 5, 2005<\/P><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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