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Friends of the Environment Abaco, Bahamas | ||||||
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Proposed Marine Protected Area In Abaco | ||
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 | A MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA) is defined by The World Conservation Union (IUCN) as “Any area of inter-tidal or sub-tidal terrain, together with its overlying waters and associated fauna, flora, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment” (IUCN, 1988, Kelleher, 1999) In early 2000, the Bahamian Department of Fisheries in conjunction with the Bahamas Reef Environmental Education Foundation (BREEF), The Bahamas National Trust, local governments and a number of scientists proposed the establishment of the first five of a nationwide, integrated network of no-take marine reserves designed to protect such flagship species as Nassau grouper, queen conch, spiny lobster and Elkhorn coral. Limited experience with the effects a Marina Protected Area can have on an ecosystem has been seen in the Bahamas National Trust’s Exuma Land and Sea Park. Established in 1958, allowing limited fishing in the area and changed to a no fish zone in 1986, it has been shown, that through scientific research as well a casual observation that today, the fish are larger and more abundant within the park boundaries. The effects of the “over flow” in adjacent areas are also apparent. There are also more varieties of fish within the park than outside the park. This park alone is not enough to protect and maintain the sustain ability of the marine ecosystems and the lucrative commercial fishing industry of the Bahamas. Long-term protection is required to ensure our valuable marine resources flourish.
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Abaco is one of 5 areas being proposed for a Marine Protected Area in the Bahamas. The location that they are considering in Abaco is around the area of Old Robinson's Bight, just west of Little Harbour on Great Abaco. They feel that this area represents an area that includes the many different habitats found in Bahamian ocean waters, it replicates other proposed areas so if localized or man-made disasters such as hurricanes happen, the survival of all species will occur, it is large enough so that each species can conduct most of it's activities within it's boundaries and this network will work with and support others in the Marine Protected Area Network. Despite strong governmental and scientific support, the long term success of Marine Protected Areas depends on strong community support at the local level and though out the Cays. Feasibility studies are still being conducted at this point. | |||||||||||||||
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Communities, fishermen and visitors will be the prime benefactors due to the "overflow" resulting from greater production in the fisheries within the marine protected areas. | |||||||||||||||
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