Good Afternoon

It is always good for a Member of Parliament to visit his constituency. It is especially good if that MP represents a Family Island, because vast expanses of water separate us. Words are insufficient to describe his joy when he visits to bring witness and give effect to an event that will protect and preserve specified areas in perpetuity.

Christopher Columbus departed Spain in August of 1492. Overall, he was in command of the three ships Niña, Pinta, and Santa María, being captain of the latter. The story is told that about 2:00 on the morning of October 12th, Rodrigo de Triana, a sailor aboard the Pinta, sighted land.

The story goes on to say that Columbus himself later claimed that he had seen “a sort of light” a few hours earlier than Triana did. He thereby claimed for himself the lifetime pension promised by Ferdinand and Isabella to the person who first sighted land. The land turned out to be Guanahani, which Columbus renamed San Salvador, that is Holy Saviour.

At this discovery, Christianity was introduced to a whole “New World”. This Christianity, the tenets which we embrace today for the most part, enables us to appreciate all of Creation.Pope Francis provides for us that “Creation is not a property, which we can rule over at will; or, even less, is the property of only a few: Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude.”

The appreciation of this gift, I believe, is the reason why the people of San Salvador enjoy such pride of place. This island jewel, in large part, remains unspoiled by development and unchanged by time. Even today, we experience the amazing beauty of this land, a mere 5 miles wide by 10 miles long, which is surrounded by some of the most prolific and diverse environments of the Caribbean.

The Bahamas National Trust this year celebrates 56 years as the non-governmental, non-profit organisation charged with the development and management of National Parks in The Bahamas.Its work, since 1959, has been tremendous in helping to raise public awareness about the need to preserve local species of flora, fauna, and terrestrial life for future generations. Over time, its role has expanded to the essential embrace of wider public participation in environmental stewardship.

As a matter of record, it is noted that the Trust recommended protection of 52 sites among the Islands of The Bahamas in 1983. Among them, several areas on San Salvador were identified.This long-held support of the protection of important marine and terrestrial habitats on the San Salvador was animated when, in 2005, BNT collaborated with San Salvador Living Jewels Foundation in the development of a park proposal. In 2007, that proposal was presented to Government.

It has been a long time coming, but today, we are here, and today, we celebrate! We are happy to acknowledge and to thank the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for its grant funding, which advanced the Park designations and management plan development. As Member of Parliament, it has been my pleasure to observe, encourage, and participate in collaborative ventures with the residents of San Salvador to bring keen awareness to the importance of preserving areas of exceptional natural beauty through a National Park System.

On behalf of Government too, I am pleased to advise that we are satisfied that this Park System has the large support of the local, national, and international communities.Much effort has gone into securing this support. The evidence is documented in reports of Focus Group Meetings, survey interviews, and meetings with Local Government Officials and Senior Policy Makers.As Government, we are confident that San Salvador is ready for the responsibility that attends to what we commit to today. This confidence is supported by the nearly 340 signatures of Bahamians and more than 600 signatures from the international community.

Today’s Declaration delegates to the Bahamas National Trust, the management of all Crown Land that falls within the San Salvador National Park System. This respects the private land holdings that fall within the System.

The first park is Graham’s Harbour Iguana and Seabird National Park. This Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) spans 5,500 acres and supports the largest colonies of iguanas and seabirds in The Bahamas.

Additionally, as it is protected by fringing reefs, Graham’s Harbour contains the most stable and extensive seagrass meadows around San Salvador. Every Bahamian who enjoys conch should appreciate that this treat is associated with seagrass. This ‘protected bush’ yields an abundance of nature.

The second park in the system is the West Coast Marine Park.It is comprises 6,000 acres in the area frequented by local dive operators and is best known for its spectacular coral wall and vertical drop to more than 13,000 feet that almost invariably attracts repeat tourists.These coral reefs that support the endangered Elkhorn coral – the first coral to be listed as an endangered species. The critically endangered hawksbill turtle, tropicbirds and shearwaters love this area, which may also serve as a migratory route for humpback whales.

Then, there is the Pigeon Creek & Snow Bay National Park, which takes in 4,865 acres.Pigeon Creek is San Salvador’s only tidal creek and it supports the main population of sea urchins and provides nursery area for the Nassau Grouper, spiny lobster and other reef fish. Most importantly, the fisheries of San Salvador are heavily dependent on this area for stock replenishment.

Fourth among the parks within the system is the Southern Great Lake National Park.This is also a Key Biodiversity Area that extends over 4,068 acres. The Southern Great Lake is home to an extensive mangrove system in the centre of San Salvador. The area is known to support four (4) species of nesting seabirds and at least three (3) species of reptiles including the endangered San Salvador Rock Iguana, which are found nowhere else in the world.

Fifth and finally, the Green’s Bay National Park on Goulding Cay will protect the 599 acre host of a major iguana population, additional reef and seagrass habitats, and a rocky shoreline that supports shearwaters and tropicbirds.

For some time now, many residents of Family Islands in particular, especially fly fishermen, commercial fishermen, tour operators, businesses, and hunters, have come to appreciate the value of ecotourism and know that The Bahamas and the Bahamian way of life are inextricably linked to the environment.Value is also drawn from park systems’ value to science. With the partners that have been previously mentioned, I take this to commend the work of the Bahamas Reef Environmental Educational Foundation (BREEF), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Scientific Community at large. All stakeholders have come together to ensure that there is support for the San Salvador National Park System.

San Salvador, thank you for taking such wonderful care of your environment.With this, your environment can now give back to you.I advise you to prepare yourselves to take advantage of the tangible benefits that will issue from much of this beautiful island.It is known worldwide that National Parks and Protected Areas attract visitors, and San Salvador with its already existing repeat visitor population, has the potential to realise increased tourism as a result.

The park system will ensure developmental compatibility with the natural environment.

The work here is not done.Through further consultation with the local settlements and scientific community, this National Park System will be zoned for multiple uses during the management planning process. Of course, the Planning and Subdivisions Act and any other relevant national or international law will be strictly enforced; and, park bye-laws will provide additional protection against current and future threats.

In our Charter for Governance, we committed to safeguarding and protecting our nation for future generations, including the preservation of our environment.Today, in all, we have set the foundation for the protection of 21,032 acres – almost 33 square miles – of land and nearshore San Salvador. Yesterday, the world celebrated Earth Day. Today, we continue that celebration; and all Creation should be glad! Columbus may not have found the treasures of gold and other precious ore at his first landfall in the New World; but, a jewel indeed he did encounter.

Now, as this Government also committed to prioritising the protection of our environment and the conservation of our natural resources, oceans and undeveloped land; we, therefore, now turn our attention to like preservation of Hartford Cave on Rum Cay. There, clay plates, cups, and bowls and the pictorial carvings of the Lucayan-Arawak Indians speak to a history that predates Columbus’ voyage. With the same enthusiasm and cooperation of all stakeholders, I look forward to all of us ensuring that this bridge to the past has perpetual life as well.

For now though, I am privileged to add San Salvador National Park System to The Bahamas’ national park count. Ours is an exceptional record of park preservation. Holding fast to our responsibility to secure our wealth for future generations, and guided by our commitment to the Caribbean Challenge, we are now at Number 32 and gaining toward our goal of protecting 20% of our nearshore and marine environment by 2020. Sir Richard Branson once said that “Protecting our natural resources is one of the biggest opportunities of our lifetime, and nowhere is it more evident than in the Caribbean.” I agree. We can and must do it. Yes, we can!