ferret failed to pass immigration.

While the ferret was being shipped back to the land of the Maple Leaf for not having the proper documentation, animals including two otters, 25 flamingos, seven bees, 106 lovebirds, 86 mice and 326,393 fish were allowed in when their owners were given import permits.

The imports also included 1,200 terrapin eggs beating the ban on terrapins which had been placed over salmonella fears.

The shipment of flamingos, imported from the Bahamas, to the Aquarium, were quarantined because of a pox virus. But they were finally released into the local flock, and have been a big attraction.

The figures appeared in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks Report for 1992 was presented to the House of Assembly during Friday's sitting.

The report also revealed a total of 576 dogs were imported during the year, but the Dog Control Officer was also forced to collect 524 other dogs which were straying and 250 were destroyed during the year. The new dog kennel at Tudor Farm in Southampton, opened during April 1992, has been busy again this year.

The 1992 Dogs Amendment Bill passed in September of that year has added to "teeth'' to the powers of the officers who can now seize animals if offences are suspected.

The Report also showed how far many of the Department's initiatives have come since it was prepared.

The most important change has been the appointment of a new Environment Minister who has overall control of the Department. The Hon. Gerald Simons took over from the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto earlier this year.

The report mentions the introduction of longline fishing into Bermuda to help the fishing industry.

It states: "A number of inquiries from overseas concerns in relation to pelagic longlining was received.

"One particular proposal for a jointly sponsored research operation was being negotiated at year's end.'' That operation was more than likely the Anna C which seemed to have foundered and ended in a bitter row in the summer.

However, over the past two weeks, Mr. David Young has imported a longline boat and aims to make a successful business out of tuna and swordfish catches.

Overall fish landings in 1992 were virtually unchanged from those in 1991.

This is still a lot lower than the catch before the introduction of the fish pot ban in 1990.

A new ban on the catching of parrotfish should not alter the figures much this year.

Fisheries wardens located and destroyed 35 fish pots, holding 24 others for court actions this year.

Plans for the Bermuda Aquarium's new extensions were completed while the visitors centre at the Botanical Gardens, now a popular haunt for visitors was opened in March 1992.

Researchers over 1992-3 have been imported to study how to improve Bermuda's agricultural output and how to deal with pests.

In conclusion, the report states: "Although it is never quiet at the Department it is readily apparent that the emphasis shifts from one activity to another almost in concert with the changing seasons.

"The highly varied tasks undertaken by the different programmes and the many physical locations for which the Department is responsible make any overview seem rather like a patchwork quilt.''