Three local conservation organizations are working with Family Island communities as well as local and central government to expand the network of marine protected areas (MPAs) to protect twenty percent of our near shore and deep ocean habitats by 2020.
This expansion will fulfill The Bahamas’ commitment to the Caribbean Challenge Initiative, a regional effort to protect twenty percent of each participating country’s marine and coastal habitats by 2020.
The Bahamas has protected more than thirteen million acres of its coastal and marine territories as of August 2015.
A national stakeholder process commenced in 2016 to determine the next priority areas to add to the network of protected areas, and work is still underway.
“This three-year project seeks to expand and effectively manage our marine protected area system,” said BNT Executive Director Eric Carey. “It is a critical step for our national conservation targets and to help mitigate climate change impacts.”
Bahamians rely heavily on the marine environment for food, income and recreation due to the archipelagic nature of The Bahamas.
Climate change, unsustainable fishing practices, pollution and human development are just a few of the threats to this unique resource. By taking action now to protect and preserve our marine environment, we will be helping to ensure our food security, financial security, and continuing our legacy of being a regional leader in environmental protection.
BREEF’s Executive Director, Casuarina McKinney-Lambert explains the need for immediate protection.
“The longer we wait to enact protective measures, the longer the recovery time will be. Many important local species, like Nassau Grouper and Conch, take years to reach sexual maturity, so it will take longer for these populations to recover from disturbances.”
Meetings with island administrators, fishermen, business owners and other concerned residents have begun on Abaco, Andros, Berry Islands, Cat Island, Exuma, San Salvador, Long Island and Eleuthera.
The aim of these meetings are to work with residents to identify which areas should be set aside to help protect important marine species, while allowing communities to benefit from having a healthy marine environment.
“We want to work with community members to design MPAs that provide the greatest benefits to people. Well designed and managed MPAs provide economic and recreational opportunities for nearby communities. They also support fishermen and healthy oceans.” says Shenique Albury-Smith, Bahamas Directory, The Nature Conservancy's Northern Caribbean Program.
According to a 2010 study by Hargreaves-Allen & Pendleton, the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park hosted almost 20,000 visitors in 2009, generated about $9 million in revenue and directly supported 110 jobs.
Bahamas Protected is working to yield similar benefits from other protected areas around The Bahamas.
Bahamas Protected is a joint effort between The Nature Conservancy, The Bahamas National Trust and Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation, with funding from the international philanthropic organization Oceans 5. By working together and with Family Island communities, Bahamas Protected will design new marine protected areas to help our country reach its goal, increase the effective management of existing areas, raise funding to help with protected area management, and strengthen public awareness and support for marine protected areas.
To learn more about Bahamas Protected and marine protected areas, visit Bahamas Protected on Facebook (@242protected) and sign the petition to show your support for Bahamian marine protected areas.
