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Minister Dorsett remarks for World Wetlands Day
Feb 9, 2014 - 8:57:18 AM

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Brief Remarks
By
The Honourable
Kenred Dorsett, M.P.
Miinister Of The Environment
Ministry Of The Environment
And Housing
On The Occasion Of
World Wetlands Day

Bonefish Pond National Park Nassau, Bahamas
6th February, 2014

Environment Minister Marks Wetlands Day at Bonefish Pond


Ladies and Gentlemen, wetlands are land areas such as marshes, swamps and tidal creeks that are saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. This ecosystem is a valuable one to The Bahamas and is important because it -

● captures energy;
● supports a wide variety of flora and fauna;
● forms different habitats and ecosystems;
● filters pollutants such as sediments, nutrients, organic and inorganic matter;
● offers protection against floods;
● provides food, water and refuge for many humans and animals especially
in times of drought;
● acts as a nursery for fish and wildlife, especially migratory birds;
● provides opportunities for recreation activities such as boating, swimming,
bushwalking and bird watching and ecotourism activities; and
● serves as a source of education for the community.

Countries of the world began to notice that wetlands were disappearing at a rapid
rate. This led to declining fresh water, fisheries and water fowl populations, and
increasing flood episodes. Appreciating the value of this ecosystem, and the need
to protect and preserve it, an intergovernmental treaty called the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands was adopted on the 2nd February, 1971. This agreement
provided the framework for countries to collaborate internationally on the
conservation of wetlands, and to determine on a national level what it considered
to be the wise use of this ecosystem with its resources. Over 168 contracting
countries are presently party to the Convention with some 2,177 areas listed as
Wetlands of International Importance.

The Bahamas signed the Ramsar Convention on 7th June, 1997, after adding Lake
Rosa, home to 50,000 West Indian flamingoes at the Inagua National Park, as a
Ramsar Site of International Importance for The Bahamas. The Bahamas
Environment Science and Technology (BEST) Commission implements the
obligations under the Ramsar Convention through the National Wetlands
Committee.

This year, the United Nations has named 2014 as the International Year of Family
Farming. Therefore, for World Wetlands Day, the Ramsar Convention has chosen
the theme: “Wetlands and Agriculture – Partners of Growth.” This is because
wetlands provide reliable sources of waters and fertile soils for agriculture.
Therefore, it is important that there is sustainable management of wetlands.
Interestingly, the 1280 coastal acres of wetlands on which we stand this morning
at Bonefish Pond National Park was once surrounded by agriculture and was a site
for indiscriminate dumping of construction materials and cooper burning. With
the help of heavy equipment, cooper, other metals and rubber casings were all
removed to create an opening to permit water to flow from the sea. With the
assistance of some 30 students from the Ministry of Education Summers Camp,
the Young Marine Explorers and other volunteers, 600 mangroves were planted
along the restored channel. Snappers, shads, barracuda and other marine life have
made the Bonefish Pond National Park their home.

Access by the general public was enhanced after the BNT and the Bahamas
Government constructed a boardwalk with a covered pavilion. Now, Bonefish
Pond National Park serves as an ideal spot for students studying mangrove creeks.
Later this year The Bonefish Pond National Park is earmarked to be a kayak
launching site. We trust that previous corporate supporters such as Atlantis
Resort, Mr. Tennyson Wells and Bahamas Waste will lend their usual assistance to
the BNT in this new endeavor.

The Bahamas National Trust is now recommending to the Bahamas Government
to nominate Bonefish Pond National Park, Harrold and Wilson Ponds National
Parks and the Andros West Side National Park to the Ramsar Convention to be
recognized as wetlands of International Importance.

Ladies and Gentleman the primary threat to our wetlands is a lack of awareness.
Most residents are unaware of the importance and function of wetlands.
Therefore, there are increased cases of indiscriminate dumping in these
ecosystems. Developments of businesses, homes and resorts that often generate
jobs can also reduce our wetland acreage. Improperly built or installed septic
tanks can lead to contamination that also destroys our precious wetlands. Invasive
species can also overtake wetland spots.

Improving water management, increasing organic farming, reducing water
pollution, developing more efficient irrigation systems, drought tolerant crops and
methods of treatment of waste water through wetlands are all ways we can
conserve and wisely use our wetlands.

February 2nd marked the 43rd anniversary of World Wetlands Day. To celebrate
World Wetlands Day, the The BNT will be hosting a webinar today at 2:00p.m.
entitled “Wetlands and Agriculture - Partners for Growth." The Webinar will
focus on the need for the water and agricultural sectors to work together for the
best results. It will also highlight the relationship between wetlands and fresh
water resources in the Bahamas, and what must be done to conserve them. The
Webinar will be delivered by John Bowleg, Hydrologist at the Water and
Sewerage Corporation and Chairman of the National Wetlands Committee.
Interested parties can contact the BNT for further details.

Ladies and Gentleman, I challenge you to learn more about wetlands, join the
global and national activities to protect and preserve our wetlands, engage your
counterparts on social media and reach out to those who do not appreciate
wetlands. Together, we can maintain what we have, enhance our acreage, educate
our populace and devise management plans to protect our wetlands for future
generations.

Happy World Wetlands Day – Bahamas!

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