THE Bermuda National Trust has urged planners to force Dolphin Quest to adhere to strict conditions before the company is allowed to construct its proposed dolphin habitat expansion area in the sea off the Bermuda Maritime Museum.

In a written submission to the Planning Department, the Trust's environmental conservation officer Peter Drew raised concerns about environmental damage caused by Dolphin Quest at its former South Shore site - and said no repeat of the mistakes of the past should be allowed.

He also said the planning application's environmental impact report was flawed in that it wrongly claimed there were no corals in the area earmarked for the development.

Mr. Drew wrote: "First we should note that we, and many others throughout Bermuda, remain deeply concerned about the environmental impact of the former Dolphin Quest facility on South Shore, Southampton.

"This natural area was considerably altered in order to accommodate Dolphin Quest. However, when, as had been predicted at the planning stage, it proved to be the wrong site for the facility, they walked away from it, leaving in their wake environmental damage and disfigurement of one of Bermuda's prime beauty spots.

"We respectfully submit that this needs to be remembered when considering this current application."

The submission continued that the applicants' claim that there were no corals in the area off the Maritime Museum was false. "In fact, there are extensive corals growing throughout the area proposed for restriction with the swim-with-dolphins programme. The vast majority of them are 'soft corals', predominantly Pseudoplexaura porosa.

"The Trust is concerned that the corals will be impacted by the activity of both dolphins and human participants in the programme.

"Corals are a protected species under Bermuda law and should be afforded the greatest sensitivity in respect to continue to ensure their continuing health and to minimise potential detrimental effects."

In addition the Trust asked for the following conditions to be attached to the plan:

All coral species should be recorded, monitored and protected.

To avoid problems experienced at the South Shore site, a bond should be placed with the Ministry of Works & Engineering foreshore licensing authority to guarantee performance for the reinstatement of the state in the event that Dolphin Quest vacates the site.

The breeding of the dolphins should be managed and licensed prior to foetal conception.

International standards, either from the UK or the US, in respect to marine mammals in captivity should be applied to the Bermuda swim-with-dolphins programme.

Further expansion having an impact on the marine environment needs to be limited.

The submission ended with qualified support for the scheme, concluding: "The creation of a new facility catering to the future needs of Bermuda's tourism industry when developed with respect for, rather than in spite of, the marine environment is welcome."