The San Salvador National Park System has been opened, with the Bahamas National Trust now responsible for managing the land in the system, including Crown land and private land holdings. Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis opened the new park system last week, outlining the five different areas of the system, beginning with Graham's Harbour Iguana and Seabird National Park.
"This key biodiversity area spans 5,500 acres and supports the largest colonies of iguanas and seabirds in The Bahamas," Davis reported.
"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," he said.
The second park in the system is the West Coast Marine Park, comprising 6,000 acres in an area frequented by local dive operators and best known for its spectacular coral wall and vertical drop to more than 13,000 feet.
"These coral reefs support the endangered Elkhorn coral - the first coral to be listed as an endangered species. The critically-endangered hawksbill turtle, tropic birds and shearwaters love this area, which may also serve as a migratory route for humpback whales," Davis said.
Third is the Pigeon Creek and 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 a 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, the deputy prime minister reported.
Next is the Southern Great Lake National Park.
"This is also a key biodiversity area that extends over 4,068 acres," Davis said. "The Southern Great Lake is home to an extensive mangrove system in the center of San Salvador. The area is known to support four species of nesting seabirds and at least three species of reptiles, including the endangered San Salvador Rock Iguana, which is found nowhere else in the world."
Finally, the Green's Bay National Park on Goulding Cay will protect the 599 acres which host a major iguana population, additional reef and seagrass habitats and a rocky shoreline that supports shearwaters and tropic birds.
A long time coming
Davis recounted the history of the park's development.
The Bahamas National Trust recommended the protection of 52 sites in The Bahamas in 1983, with several areas in San Salvador among them. In 2005, the trust collaborated with San Salvador Living Jewels Foundation in the development of a park proposal, and in 2007 that proposal was presented to government.
"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," Davis said.
"We are satisfied that this park system has the 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 the 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."
Photo: www.bnt.bs
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