Opponents have say on Navy's dolphin patrol plan

The Navy held a public meeting Wednesday evening to offer information and solicit feedback about a plan to use trained sea lions and dolphins to patrol the waters off Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor near Bremerton.

The Navy recently began to study the environmental impacts of using the animals in Puget Sound, which, in the case of the dolphins, is outside their natural environment.

Dolphins and sea lions have abilities that make them adept at finding objects in the water, sometimes beyond what can be done by machines, the Navy said.

Information

www.nbkeis.gcsaic.com

www.knittingfordolphins.com

Several opponents of the plan, including a new group called Knitting for Dolphins, attended the meeting.

Janet Bailey, a founder of the Bainbridge Island-based group, said Puget Sound's water is too cold for the dolphins. "They're going to be stressing the animals," Bailey said. "Frankly, we think they will die."

To protest the plan, members of the group have knitted garments for the dolphins, something Bailey said is silly, but she hopes it will help spread the group's message.

The Navy hired scientists to study the effects of the colder water on the dolphins, and the scientists said that in most situations, Puget Sound won't be cold enough to stress the animals. When the water gets cold, the animals will be kept warm in an enclosure.

The Navy is accepting comments on its proposal until April 16. A decision is not expected until at least next spring.

Brian Alexander: 206-464-... or balexander@seattletimes.com