MCLEAN'S TOWN, Grand Bahama - Last week Grand Bahama Parks Manager for the Bahama National Trust (BNT) Lakeshia Anderson met with local citizens of McLean's Town at a public meeting at McLean's Town Primary School.
In a crowded classroom the Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama Peter Turnquest; East End Administrator Sherrick Ellis; Eleanor Philips, director, Northern Caribbean Program of The Nature Conservancy (TNC); bonefish guides, tour operators, local fishermen and residents met to hear about the BNT's proposal to extend the Grand Bahama national park areas, and particularly to discuss the creation of an East Grand Bahama National Park.
Anderson addressed the crowd and explained the consultations they have been doing. "When the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park was designated a no-take park, we did not consult with the neighboring communities," she admitted. "But we have learned from our mistakes, and we have since established a process that involves resource users in the decision making process. We have held five prior meetings, and completed 150 one-on-one surveys in East End, and tonight we're back to discuss the input from the communities and research findings, and how these components have provided guidance for proposed boundaries."
Anderson went on to explain that the community made recommendations that certain areas known as conch beds, should be managed differently in what is currently proposed as a national park, and asked for restrictions on prime fishing grounds from large scale commercial fishing, and incompatible developments. "The feedback we have had from you is phenomenal," said Anderson. "It was with the assistance of local fishermen and bonefish guides, that our team was able to assess the immense diversity in the East End flats that is truly unique." Anderson noted that representatives from the National Audubon Society have recently conducted shorebird and waterbird surveys in this area, and are planning to return for further work.
Anderson showed the attendees the proposed park boundaries, and opened the floor for questions. Questions were posed regarding the proposed sand dredging for the Bursus Cay area. Administrator Ellis responded by stating, "The East End Local Government Council has written to the government opposing the proposed dredging, and to request an environmental impact assessment be conducted, in which the BEST Commission and BNT officials should then review,".
At this point, a young local fishing guide asked if the park could be extended to include Bursus Cay and surrounding environment. Anderson said this was up to the community to provide these recommendations. Others quickly chimed in and asked Anderson to include the area from McLean's Town to Bursus Cay, as this shallow flats area is known to have an abundance of birds and commercially important species of fish. Local fisherman Cecil Leathern said, "We all know what will happen if this dredging is allowed; how it could destroy not only the bonefish flats and our lobster grounds, but also affect them down in Abaco. We need it all protected."
Leathern and others also lamented fisheries protection, noting that this park will need proper governance of current regulations and new ones. Speaking on this, Eleanor Philips of TNC said she and others are hoping to create a Bahamas protected area fund that will provide some of the funding needed for effective management of protected areas in The Bahamas. "I am so impressed with the turnout tonight, and the awareness and passion this community has for their environment. We will do all we can to advocate for protecting these areas they alo feel are so important to their way of life."
Before the meeting concluded, local bonefish guide and minister Omeko Glinton addressed the attendees. "We want to protect our bonefish industry here," said Glinton. "I want to commend the BNT and others for what you are doing here. You've come in and spoken to us, helped educate us and listened to us. I know I need to feed my son, but I also understand I need to protect what we have for him and our children. My thanks for helping us do this."
The BNT will include the recommendations provided through the meeting regarding amendments to the proposed boundaries, and will have discussions with the residents of Sweetings Cay on this matter. A petition will be developed to provide the communities an opportunity to express their support for these proposed national parks, for inclusion in the park proposal to be submitted to government. The details of all the BNT proposed parks including East Grand Bahama are available on the BNT website www.bnt.bs.

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