- Messages
- 13,377
- Reaction score
- 13,500
- Points
- 857
- Location
- Royal, AR
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2007
- Boat Model
- SX
- Boat Length
- 23
Our members have enjoyed the natural beauty and wildlife offered by the Bimini Islands since 2010. Unfortunately significant destruction has occurred in recent years leaving many once vibrant and colorful reefs dead and grey.
Developers have now began the process of building homes and / or a golf course in the mangrove area that is a nursery for a wide range of wildlife in Bimini and for much of the Caribbean. Previously a Marine Reserve was proposed for the area but was not implemented. The proposed Marine Reserve covered an area of undisturbed mangroves and shallow water that had not been used commercially. Developers have already started to destroy this area and are polluting it by dumping and burning trash which they then cover with sand to form new land.
The Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation studies the wildlife in this area and wrote the following when it was believed that the Marine Reserve would be implemented "As one of our primary study sites for more than three decades, the NBMR serves as critical (nursery) habitat for many of Bimini’s conch, lobster and finfish species as well as the lemon shark. Furthermore BBFSF research identified 370 different animal species within the boundaries of the NBMR, including 13 that are listed by the IUCN as Threatened or Endangered. Smalltooth Sawfish (Pristis pectinata), the Bimini Boa (Epicrates striatus fosteri), and three species of sea turtle (Loggerhead, Hawksbill, & Green) all face dire threats to their survival."
This is the proposed protected area (click to enlarge)
My family and many other visited the East side of the protected area in 2014, 2015 and 2016. We are planning to take our entire group of approximately 50 vessels to that area for a day of enjoying the natural beauty and wildlife there this year. After enjoying the area we will take everything we brought and pickup trash left by others so that we will leave the area better than we found it.
Here are some pictures of JetBoaters enjoying the East side of this beautiful area. (click to enlarge)
Additionally many of us have toured the mangroves and the world famous Bimini Healing Hole on the West side of the Proposed Marine Reserve. These tours in shallow boats create jobs for the Bahamians providing the tours as well as constructing and maintaining the boats.
I have great concern about Bimini's continued validity as the site for our annual flings. If this area is destroyed as the reefs were to build the pier to the casino there will be little left to attract us to Bimini. Much of the sea life will die off and many miles of beautiful beach will be destroyed.
The Bahamas recently elected a new government which it is hoped will be more friendly to environmental concern. A meeting has been scheduled for June 15th with relevant government officials working toward implementation of the North Bimini Marine Reserve. I hope that you will join me in leaving a comment expressing your support for the reserve which will be shared at the meeting on the 15th.
Thank You
Bruce Ward
[USERGROUP=14]@Bimini[/USERGROUP], @upperdeck, @Andy S, @justason, @Glen, @Kevin Sargent, @swatski, @chris24, @robert843, @Ramblin Wreck, @JROD
@Julian, if your feel it is appropriate please create a notice. Thanks
Developers have now began the process of building homes and / or a golf course in the mangrove area that is a nursery for a wide range of wildlife in Bimini and for much of the Caribbean. Previously a Marine Reserve was proposed for the area but was not implemented. The proposed Marine Reserve covered an area of undisturbed mangroves and shallow water that had not been used commercially. Developers have already started to destroy this area and are polluting it by dumping and burning trash which they then cover with sand to form new land.
The Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation studies the wildlife in this area and wrote the following when it was believed that the Marine Reserve would be implemented "As one of our primary study sites for more than three decades, the NBMR serves as critical (nursery) habitat for many of Bimini’s conch, lobster and finfish species as well as the lemon shark. Furthermore BBFSF research identified 370 different animal species within the boundaries of the NBMR, including 13 that are listed by the IUCN as Threatened or Endangered. Smalltooth Sawfish (Pristis pectinata), the Bimini Boa (Epicrates striatus fosteri), and three species of sea turtle (Loggerhead, Hawksbill, & Green) all face dire threats to their survival."
This is the proposed protected area (click to enlarge)
My family and many other visited the East side of the protected area in 2014, 2015 and 2016. We are planning to take our entire group of approximately 50 vessels to that area for a day of enjoying the natural beauty and wildlife there this year. After enjoying the area we will take everything we brought and pickup trash left by others so that we will leave the area better than we found it.
Here are some pictures of JetBoaters enjoying the East side of this beautiful area. (click to enlarge)
Additionally many of us have toured the mangroves and the world famous Bimini Healing Hole on the West side of the Proposed Marine Reserve. These tours in shallow boats create jobs for the Bahamians providing the tours as well as constructing and maintaining the boats.
I have great concern about Bimini's continued validity as the site for our annual flings. If this area is destroyed as the reefs were to build the pier to the casino there will be little left to attract us to Bimini. Much of the sea life will die off and many miles of beautiful beach will be destroyed.
The Bahamas recently elected a new government which it is hoped will be more friendly to environmental concern. A meeting has been scheduled for June 15th with relevant government officials working toward implementation of the North Bimini Marine Reserve. I hope that you will join me in leaving a comment expressing your support for the reserve which will be shared at the meeting on the 15th.
Thank You
Bruce Ward
[USERGROUP=14]@Bimini[/USERGROUP], @upperdeck, @Andy S, @justason, @Glen, @Kevin Sargent, @swatski, @chris24, @robert843, @Ramblin Wreck, @JROD
@Julian, if your feel it is appropriate please create a notice. Thanks
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