Animal activists are protesting plans to build a new dolphin park on the South Shore.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has expressed safety concerns about the new dolphin concession, Bermuda Dolphin Oasis, which has filed a planning application to open a business at the former Sonesta Beach Hotel.

And members of the public have joined ranks with the SPCA, contacting to protest plans by Bermuda Dolphin Oasis to set up the dolphin park at Sinky Bay.

Owners Lynn and Martin Hassell plan to open the business as soon as the company receives planning approval.

However, the application has attracted attention from local and overseas activists who are questioning the need for another park and the environmental implications it may have.

SPCA Shelter chairman Dr. Andrew Maderios said the society brought in a Boston-based environmental specialist to test water at the area when it first received news of the application.

He said the society has serious concerns about the water quality at the site and emergency evacuation procedures in case a hurricane hit. He also said dredging in the bay would disturb the sea bed and could have a number of environmental and marine implications for the area.

?Our basic concern is its south shore location, which is vulnerable to high winds and hurricanes and we weren?t comfortable with the evacuation plans put in place as well as the stress and the high risk of moving animals out of this area,? said Dr. Maderios.

He said he was sure the owners had good intentions, but the society routinely received calls from people concerned about the depth and temperature of the water at the Maritime Museum?s Dolphin Quest facility.

However, yesterday Mrs. Hassell insisted the facility will be a beautiful and safe location.

?We think it will be the best area for animals, it is a beautiful project and we are comfortable that will fulfil all the necessary safety requirements,? she said.

Mrs. Hassell said the dolphins will be kept in an indoor pool in a building at the SAL site in Southampton in the case of a storm or hurricane.

According to Mrs. Hassell staff can safely attend to them as needed until they are ready to be moved back to their home at Sinky Bay.

She said similar plans proved to be successful in Jamaica during Hurricane Ivan.

Lisa Vickers and Erin Moran contacted questioning the need for another facility when almost a dozen dolphins are currently in captivity at the Dolphin Quest facility in Dockyard. Both have sent letters to Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield and the Planning Department which is responsible for assessing the application.

?In addition to being totally opposed to any more dolphins being held in captivity in Bermuda, when we already have 11 at Dolphin Quest, I am seriously concerned about the negative impact on the local marine environment that the construction of this enclosure is sure to have,? said Ms Vickers.

Dredging the sea floor in this area is going to destroy and disturb an unacceptable amount of marine habitat.

?I would like to object to such an enclosure being built. I highly doubt this extra tourist attraction will be good for Bermuda and it is clear to me that the only people who stand to gain from this project are wealthy businessmen. The welfare of dolphins kept in captivity is of great concern to me personally.?

Ms Moran wrote: ?We do not need further dolphins in captivity for the enjoyment of tourists. One dolphin pit is enough!?

According to overseas news environmentalists regularly raise concerns over the conditions of dolphin parks in the Caribbean.