Friends of the Environment, along with many partners, has been working on protecting three important areas in Abaco – two of which are directly related to our marine resources: East Abaco Creeks National Park on the east side of Abaco and Cross Harbour on the southwestern corner.
These two tidal creek areas are lined with mangroves and serve as nurseries for 80% of all of the seafood we consume: conch, grouper, snapper, crawfish, just to name a few. Each of the areas helps to replenish the fish stocks by providing a location for small fish to hide from predators, find ample food and grow to be large enough to head out to the reefs and ocean to spawn and begin the cycle once again. Both areas have faced threats from large scale development so the proposals are focused on ensuring that the habitat itself is protected; cultural fishing and recreational activities will still be allowed if they receive National Park status.
Efforts in this direction were moved forward by the recent visit of Minster of the Environment, the Honorable Kenred Dorsett. FRIENDS has been working with the Minister’s Office since the fall to schedule the visit and it was finally achieved at the end of May. On his way up from Nassau Minister Dorsett was able to do a flyover of Cross Harbour and The Marls where schooling sharks, rays and fish were all visible from the air. Once landed in Marsh Harbour the Minister took a boat trip through Snake Cay, which is the northernmost tidal creek system in the proposed East Abaco Creeks National Park. The proposed park also includes the Bight of Old Robinson and the Cherokee Creeks system.
After lunch in the boat the Minister was able to visit two of the blue holes in the proposed South Abaco Blue Holes National Park, the third proposed protected area. The Director of the Northern Caribbean Nature Conservancy Program, Eleanor Phillips was in attendance, along with Eric Carey, Executive Director of The Bahamas National Trust. Member of Parliament for Central and South Abaco, Edison Key, joined the group for the boat ride through the proposed East Abaco Creeks National Park.
Kristin Williams, Executive Director of FRIENDS, said she thinks chances are good that some or all of these areas will be protected. “The Minister seems impressed with the areas, the natural resources they represent and their importance to the Bahamas.”
You can be involved in the conservation of these areas too!
For more information, go to www.friendsoftheenvironment.org, Click on Current Programs, select Habitat Conservation, then click on the park you wish to learn about to view further details, watch a video and sign a support letter.
Follow the Bahamas Marine Resource Regulations (to view laws and FRIENDS’ handy marine regulations brochure, go to www.friendsoftheenvironment.org. Click on Resources, then Regulations).
And don’t forget to go out and explore Abaco’s beautiful places!
To learn more, visit Friends of the Environment online at www.friendsoftheenvironment.org or call (242) 367-2721.