Further to a press release from the Bahamas National Trust regarding their approval of the development at Bell Island that includes the dredging of the sea bed in the Exuma Land and Sea Park, the Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance strenuously objects to this project in its current form.
This development at Bell Island will set a precedent for future larger developments and commercial activity that will impact the quality of that marine environment, there is potential for depletion of natural resources, pollution resulting in a harmful physical impact on the sea bed. Increased development will not only lead to mass tourism but greater demands for freshwater hence generating greater volumes of waste water, sewage treatment and the chemical threat to coral reefs from waste runoff and discarded refuse.
While we are not opposed to development, extensive development that involves the disturbance of the sea bed and the natural environment is unacceptable, antithetical to the establishment of a marine protected area.
The National Trust’s position is contradictory, insulting, and indicative of the contempt of certain sectors for the inherent rights of indigenous people, by their position on other developments that would have had less impact on the environment the BNT has shown that they have no clear policy or definition of their mission.
The minister of environment exhibited further contempt when questioned about the use of the assets of the developer of Bell Island for activities unrelated to the development.
The BCFA will not engage a debate on morality, but the right of Bahamians to partake and enjoy the bounties that providence has provided. The negative effects of altering the state of that park may not be visible today, but in time it will impact turtle nesting sites and conch and grouper aggregations.
The BCFA is a non profit organisation that represents the interest of fishermen and an industry that is the economic mainstay of this country.
Any developmental that will impact the marine environment must be addressed, therefore we are observant though not surprised by the inaction and silence of organisations mandated to be stewards of environment.
This is further seen as an act of contempt for those with little voice as with their lack of support for the BCFA’s fight to end poaching is perceived as being of no racial significance therefore they are not motivated to support that campaign, yet they will unilaterally support any measure to stop the indigenous Bahamian from engaging in activities that are of significant cultural importance.
The people of the Exuma’s who have lived in these islands all of their lives are not allowed to take a single fish from the seas around their homes, yet foreign landowners are allowed to harvest fish at will.
We do not support commercial fishing in the park, but harvesting for domestic personal purposes by Bahamians only.
We are therefore calling on the government to re-examine these plans and do not permit any dredging within or close to the boundaries of the Exuma Land and Sea Park. As not only will this activity be of no significant economic benefit to the overall welfare of Exumians, there is no long term gain from this project.
“It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.”
Officers and Members
Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance
Nassau, The Bahamas
November, 2010
