By TAMARA McKENZIE,Guardian Staff Reporter

tamara@nasguard.com

Although Parliamentarians passed the Marine Mammal Protection Act in the House of Assembly earlier this week, various animal rights organisations are alleging that the government failed to consult them properly.

"This legislation was never taken to the public. Two closed meetings were held by the government. All of the industry was invited [but] many of the animal welfare groups were not.

"The Bahamas will be targeted by animal welfare groups from around the world if we allow more dolphin captures," outlined a statement issued to The Guardian from President of re-Earth Sam Duncombe on Thursday.

The Marine Mammals Protection Act provides for the protection and management of marine mammals within an exclusive economic zone, the appointment of marine mammal inspectors, licensing of captive marine mammal facilities and the implementation of restrictions.

Research conducted by The Guardian revealed that local animal rights organisations, such as the Alliance for Marine Mammals, Advocates for Animal Rights and The Bahamas Humane Society have been pressing the government since 1994 to prohibit the capture, import and export of dolphins.

A statement issued to every Member of Parliament and Senator earlier this month from one organisation, alleged that the government failed to address significant issues in the marine mammal legislation, failed to include scientific evidence and failed to encourage enlightened eco-tourism practices.

Another letter from the Alliance for Marine Mammals issued to Director of Fisheries Michael Braynen outlined that the Act and the regulations for dolphins in captivity, required and deserved further and extensive review by qualified marine mammal specialists.

"Furthermore, as these facilities will be operating in The Bahamas, and some of the dolphins held captive are from Bahamian waters, it is imperative that Bahamians' feedback and their wishes be strongly considered, rather than relying on a handful of individuals to decide the fate and destiny of these highly intelligent animals," the letter indicated.

Meanwhile, Mrs Duncombe told The Guardian last night that the Marine Mammals Act does nothing to protect the 22 species of cetaceans which make The Bahamas their home.

"It does nothing to protect them from human made noise like sonar, which beached 16 whales in 2000 and killed eight of them. It does not protect them from fishing and it certainly does not protect their known habitat," she stated.

The alleged lack of consultation on the part of the government was also aired in the House of Assembly Wednesday, when High Rock MP Kenneth Russell queried whether the concerns of animal rights groups had been addressed and if their recommendations regarding dolphins were taken into consideration.

Minister of Financial Services and Investments, Allyson Maynard-Gibson assured Mr Russell that there was wide consultation with stakeholders and interested parties. She stressed that it was very important for citizens to recognise that one of the hallmarks of democracy was to have an input, and all regulations had been circulated.

"I want to also point out the fact that international experts who participated in this whole process, have commended The Bahamas for the fact that we have regulations that can be followed by other persons around the world and they have been hailed as landmark regulations for animals in captivity," she stated.