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Community : Abaco Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM


BNT Proposes More National Parks for Abaco
By Sarah Kirkby
Sep 5, 2013 - 3:56:43 PM

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BNT meets with the MP of North Abaco, Renardo Curry, and stakeholders to discuss proposed National Parks for Abaco The Bahamas National Trust (BNT), along with several other special interest groups are looking to expand the number of national parks in Abaco. Recently, a meeting was held with Renardo Curry, MP for North Abaco, as well as Parliamentary Secretary with the Office of the Prime Minister in Abaco to discuss these proposals. Pictured are (left to right) Buddy Pinder and Cindy Pinder of Abaco Fly-Fishing Alliance, Alexander Flowers, Undersecretary Office of the Prime Minister Abaco, D'Shan Maycock of the BNT and Econet, Renardo Curry, MP of North Abaco, David Knowles, BNT Director of the Parks and Olivia Patterson, Friends of the Environment. (Photo: Timothy Roberts)

Abaco, Bahamas – The Bahamas National Trust (BNT), along with several other special interest groups are looking to expand the number of national parks in Abaco. Recently, a meeting was held with Renardo Curry, MP for North Abaco, as well as the Parliamentary Secretary with the Office of the Prime Minister in Abaco to discuss these proposals.

Present at the meeting were representatives of the BNT, Friends of the Environment, and the Abaco Fly-fishing Guide Association. The BNT stressed the importance of the marine ecosystems in Cross Harbour (South Abaco) and The Marls (Central Abaco). Proposals have been prepared to have both of these areas become a part of the national park system. The two areas are connected, as bonefish from The Marls aggregate into Cross Harbour before moving to deeper water for spawning. As a result, the protection of these areas is essential for the fly-fishing industry. MP Curry expressed that he was very supportive of the initiative to protect these areas, and pledged his continued support.

David Knowles, Director of Parks for the BNT, said “we were very pleased that Mr. Curry was not only supportive but was aware of the value of the areas and look forward to his continued support as we move forward with our initiative. Both the BNT and MP Curry want to ensure that while these areas are protected as national parks, that locals can still access and benefit from these areas. The Marls especially is an area that supports the bonefishing industry of Abaco, as it serves as an area where bonefish are replenished. We at the BNT look forward to more meetings between stakeholders and the community at large regarding the implementation of the national park system at The Marls and Cross Harbour.”

In addition to including these parks, the BNT has submitted proposals for East Abaco Creek National Park and South Abaco Blue Hole National Park. There is an initiative between the BNT, and other partners to develop an Abaco Discovery Trail, which identifies and promotes place of historical, cultural and ecological significance on Abaco.

For an area to become a national park, several steps should be followed. Firstly, the BNT has to determine if the area is significant enough to be a national park. Then, rapid ecological assessments (REA) are carried out. Next, the BNT meets with the community, community leaders, stakeholders, and users of the area to get their support or find out if they are against making the area a national park. Knowles notes “lately we do extensive consultation with the community and stakeholders to ensure they support us in our proposals for national parks.”

Once community support is established, a proposal is drafted, and presented to the community. The proposal is then sent to the government for approval, after is it approved the government issues a 99 year lease to the BNT. Once the park is declared, the BNT works with local stakeholders, scientists and local government to draft and implement a park management plan. Knowles stated, “The BNT is in the process of creating a number of management plans for several parks as we speak.”



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