From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Bahamas National Trust continues to advocate for the establishment of the Bimini MPA
By Bahamas National Trust
Aug 31, 2013 - 10:27:46 PM
The Bimini Bay Development
has remained an active issue of discussion for over thirteen years and
its approvals and reconsiderations have spanned several government administrations.
The most recent discussions
focused around the proposed expansion of the development towards and
beyond the sensitive mangrove area at the top of North Sound.
The developer was proposing the construction of a golf course for the
area. This sensitive area has been identified by scientists and experts
at the Department of Marine Resources as the westernmost edge of the
proposed Marine Protected Area. Scientists working in Bimini had
objected and the BNT supported this position and recommended dialogue
on the issue.
The Government held
a Town meeting in January 2009. During that meeting and in subsequent
meetings with the developer, the then Minister stated in the meeting
that the government was committed to the Bimini MPA and would not allow
the destruction of the sensitive mangrove area at the top of North Sound.
The proposed golf course was therefore taken off the table. The developer
argued that a golf course was part of their marketing plan, but the
government held firm on their position of no development at the top
of North Sound. The BNT has continued to advocate for the establishment
of the Bimini MPA.
As recently as October
2012, reports resurfaced about the proposed golf course and galvanized
the BNT to write to the Prime Minister stating emphatically that the
BNT remains opposed to the golf course and continues to support the
establishment of the Bimini MPA.
The most recent concern
for Bimini has centered around the Berthing facility proposed for the
Resorts World Super Fast ferry on the west side of North Bimini.
Articles in the press indicate that there will be a 1000 ft. dock created
from dredged fill to create the deep-water dockage.
The BNT has requested
the documents concerning the proposed Berthing Facility
for Bimini from both the BEST Commission and the Bahamas Investment
Authority. To date government has not provided The BNT, with the requested
documents and until these documents are received, BNT cannot provide
informed comment on the proposed facility.
The debate over the
Bimini Bay development has been ongoing for many years due mainly to
the ecological sensitivity of the area. The BNT is cognizant of
the need to promote development in support of job creation and while
we lament the destruction of part of North Sound to accommodate the
resort, we acknowledge that the resort that stands there currently is
of significant economic benefit to the island of Bimini.
The wetland ecosystem
at the top of North Sound is significant from an ecological perspective
and also as a buffer against hurricanes. The loss of the mangrove system
would forever change the fisheries of Bimini. The BNT continues
to advocate for the establishment of the Bimini Marine Protected Area
and awaits sight of the documents with regards to the Berthing Facility
for the Superfast Ferry.
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