The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) wishes to express its concerns about the cargo ship that recently sank off the southern coast of Abaco.

The Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) has been incommunication with the BNT to provide updates on the situation. We know that the OnegoTraveller vessel was transporting Kemira Ferix-3, an industrial granulated solid used inwastewater treatment, odor control, and fertilizer. This chemical along with fuel from thevessel has been observed in the surrounding sea since the vessel’s sinking.

The BNT is reaching out to experts in environmental chemistry and toxicology to betterunderstand the spill’s environmental impact. The primary concern around the Ferix is how itwill affect water quality in the short and long term. It is currently impacting the pH of thewater surrounding the sunken vessel, creating highly acidic conditions. If the Ferix acts as afertilizer in the seawater, this could also lead to harmful algal blooms which negativelyimpact marine life and have health impacts on people exposed in and around the water. Thescale and extent of such impacts will depend on the amount of the chemical ultimatelyreleased into the environment and other nutrient levels in the seawater.

The BNT is especially concerned about the location of this vessel. It is currently within theCross Harbour Protected Area. This marine protected area was declared in 2015 to protectimportant terrestrial and coastal ecosystems and was expanded in 2021 to includesignificantly more marine areas. This area is particularly important for bonefish, as it serves asa pre-spawning aggregation site which supports a vibrant flyfishing industry of local andnational economic significance. The vessel is also approximately seven miles south of theshoreline of The Abaco National Park managed by the BNT.

BNT Executive Director Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle said, ”The BNT’s key concern at this time isthe impact of the ship on the seabed and the potential impact of the vessel’s spilt chemicalcontents on coastal and marine organisms and habitats in the area, especially given that thevessel is currently within the boundaries of a marine protected area, not yet assigned to anyprotected area management agency. If the chemicals are not quickly and properly containedthey can potentially spread to other areas.

“The BNT is prepared to support any remediation or monitoring efforts, including the creationof long-term policies to prevent or respond more quickly to such incidences in the future. Wehave been in constant communication with the Director of DEPP, who has requestedassistance to conduct ecological assessments; and our park wardens and scientists are onstandby and ready to help with these efforts as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The BNT is pleased that the government has already responded to this incident by deployingmeasures to contain any spillage and initiating a meeting of the National Oil SpillContingency Advisory Committee (NOSCAC), according to a recent article published by TheTribune. We urge the government to continue moving swiftly to fully assess the situation andutilize all available resources in remediation efforts; and to pursue action in accordance withThe Environmental Planning and Protection Act (2019). The Act has mechanisms underarticles 34 to 36 that allow DEPP to order assessments and make the person(s) responsiblepay for those assessments and any remediation to the site, including for any damage to the“environment, property, or livelihood” of an affected person.

To learn more about the role the BNT plays in managing national parks, protecting wildlife,and informing environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs andfollow/subscribe to various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, andYouTube.