The following is a statement by
Tom Ingram, Executive Director, Diving Equipment and Marketing Association:
I am writing on behalf of the Diving Equipment and Marketing
Association (DEMA) regarding the above project.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide DEMA’s comments on this
important issue.
The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) is a
non-profit trade association based in San Diego California, representing the
business and consumer interests of the recreational scuba and snorkel diving
industries all over the world. DEMA’s
mission is to promote sustainable growth in safe recreational scuba diving and
snorkeling while protecting the underwater environment.
Bimini, with more than 1,700 residents, is one of the
recreational diving jewels of the Bahamas.
Located 48 miles from Florida, USA, Bimini has long enjoyed a reputation
among US and international consumers as a pristine diving and fishing location
and annually attracts more than 3,000 diving visitors to businesses which
belong to the Bahamas Diving Association (BDA), as well as more than 3,700
annual diving visitors who arrive in private vessels. These diving visitors are in addition to the
thousands of visitors each year who make the short journey by air or boat to
fish in Bimini’s unspoiled waters.
These tourists currently spend an annual average of almost $2,800
each on Bimini, including spending at diving operations, hotels, restaurants
and other facilities on the island. According
to data from the Bahamian Government, diving tourists contribute more than
$8miilion dollars to the economy from Bimini-based members of the BDA alone,
along with almost $11million contributed from Florida-based Day Boats visiting
Bimini. Combining the economic impact of diving visitors to BDA Members with
Day-Boat visitors it is clear that more than $19million is generated annually by
recreational diving in Bimini for the Bahamian economy.
DEMA’s own research studies also indicate that the diver
from the US visiting Bimini is an affluent consumer, capable of contributing
considerable resources to the economy of Bimini. Diving consumers from the US who visit
land-based resorts such as those on Bimini have the following demographic
characteristics:
·
More than 38% have a yearly household income of greater
than $100,000, compared to only 15% of all US households. These visitors have the money and time to
spend on visits to Bimini.
·
More than 24% have children between the ages of
11 and 17 compared to 18% of all US households, furthering the opportunity for
Bimini to attract an audience whose family members will visit time and again
throughout their lives.
·
More than 50% have net worth between $1million
and $2million, compared to less than 8% of all US households.
·
More than 84% are homeowners compared to 77% of
US households, with 29% of these homes having a market value greater than
$500,000, compared to 10% of US households having a similar market value.
In conclusion of this point, the diving consumer from the
US, visiting Bimini is affluent and interested in diving in the world-class and
pristine diving environment that is currently found in Bimini.
CONSIDERATIONS
DEMA is concerned with several economic and process issues
surrounding the North Bimini Ferry Terminal Project. Among these concerns are:
Inadequate public input on the project - The
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) summarizes this concern when it indicates
that, “a limited sample size of approximately 50” Bimini residents were polled
in an “informal survey.” The limited sample size indicated that this project
would, “result in an economic benefit.”
It should be clear that this small sample size of Biminites is
inadequate, especially given the recent public outcry over the potential environmental
and economic impacts such a project could have.
In fact, the EIA expresses concern over this project from these same Biminites
polled, indicating that these (approximately 50) Biminites, “expressed concerns
for potentially adverse impacts on marine resource habitat, fisheries,
disruption, inconvenience and behavior.”
DEMA agrees with these concerns.
The decline in diving population visiting Bimini due to
the environmental impact – The affluent individual described in the demographic
profile of the diving consumer visiting Bimini, as presented herein, is
generally concerned with the environment and with the sustainable use of
natural resources (Source: Murch, Arvin.
1971. "Public Concern for Environmental Pollution."
Public Opinion
Quarterly 35:100-106).
A very real concern to DEMA and to all diving businesses –
especially those based in nearby Florida - is the fact that any environmental degradation,
especially of the magnitude being described in the North Bimini Ferry Terminal
Project EIA and its Addendum, is likely to have a negative impact on the perception
of pristine diving which Bimini now holds in the minds of diving consumers. As a result of this project, it is possible
that the number of divers visiting Bimini will decline dramatically as public
perception develops regarding this project’s potential environmental impact.
It is possible that this perception, and perhaps the
reality, of the environmental impact will, in effect, cause Bimini and the
Bahamas to trade the affluent and sustainable diving consumer population for a
population of less-affluent cruise and ferry consumers, with less-well-known
demographic, life stage and economic characteristics.
Such a trade of one population for another could have
devastating impacts on the number of divers visiting Bimini, with a resulting
economic impact on BDA members, DEMA members and the economy of Bimini.
Long term environmental and economic impact – There
is a strong possibility that any negative environmental impact could be long
term in nature. Since underwater areas
close to popular dive sites are being transformed to accommodate the North
Bimini Ferry Terminal, even a partial failure to create the economic benefit
projected will be devastating to the long term environmental and economic
survival of Bimini. Once the damage to
the underwater environment is done, there is no turning back.
In our opinion, the potential economic upside of this
project is inadequate when compared to the great risks involved with the potential
for failure of this project to create positive economic benefit, and the long-term
environmental risks involved.
RECOMMENDATIONS
DEMA strongly recommends that the Bahamas and Bimini
Governments evaluate this project carefully, including creating opportunities
for substantial public and business input, and careful evaluation of the
potential for negative environmental impacts on Bimini. Such negative impacts could result in the economic
detriment to the people of Bimini and devastation to the recreational diving
community visiting Bimini.
We would be pleased to help in any way you deem appropriate
and stand ready to assist. Thank you for
the opportunity to provide input on this critical issue.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his/her
private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of
TheBahamasWeekly.com
