Its purpose is to enable scientists to detect any harmful effects on the area's marine life once the controversial $64 million incinerator is up and running.

Over the next several years an all-Bermudian scientific team will study the entire ecosystem of the area.

It will also survey the fish population of the area and plants that make up its extensive sea grass beds.

"In 1994 (when the incinerator is expected to be finished) we will be monitoring marine life fairly intensely because that is when the most dramatic effects can be seen,'' said Dr. Robbie Smith, who is heading theBermuda Biological Station for Research team.

"Very little is known about the Tynes Bay sea grass beds,'' Dr. Smith said.

"But they could be very important nursery grounds for small fish, which is certainly the case in the Caribbean.'' Dr. Smith said it is feared hot water discharged from the incinerator into Tynes Bay might increase the temperature of the waters and kill off sea grasses and other plants -- which is known to have occurred in the Caribbean.

If it does occur, young fish will be forced to leave the beds in search of other nursery grounds rich in nutrients.

The study received a boost yesterday from the Pembroke Rotary Club. It donated $1,000 to BBSR intern Mr. James Parris, 20, who is in charge of surveying the fish population of the area.

President Mr. Larry Pitcher said the money was given to Mr. Parris because the club was impressed with his performance as a Rotary exchange student in Denmark several years ago.

Dr. Smith said the Tynes Bay seagrass beds are among the Island's largest and, therefore, may be among its most important nursery grounds.

"The beds are home to a diverse marine community, including clams, worms, corals and a different species of seagrass to the kind found in the huge sea grass beds off the West End,'' he said.

He added that while conducting initial studies of the area he noticed a lot of fish in the area, including grunts and snappers.

Dr. Smith is also part of a team studying the effect on Bermuda's waters of ash blocks which will be used for land reclamation.

He has had blocks made up of the materials the real ones will likely contain.

Government is sponsoring that study as well.

The incinerator has been a hot topic lately with news that Ontario, Canada and the US state of Rhode Island have banned new incinerators.

MARINE RESEARCH BOOST -- Pembroke Rotary Club president Mr. Larry Pitcher presents a $1,000 cheque to Bermuda Biological Station intern Mr. James Parris for research into seagrass beds off Tynes Bay, Devonshire. Also shown is research team head Dr. Robbie Smith.