Newsletter of the Bahamas National Trust Volume 8 Number 1 June 2002 Unprecedented Expansion of National Park System In an extraordinary announcement at the protected areas “significant for many reasons” 43rd annual general meeting of the Bahamas Mr Ingraham noted that the new parks “are National Trust in April, former Prime Minister diverse in their features and values … and Hubert Ingraham confirmed the creation of 10 they expand the degree of ecological represen- new protected areas— doubling the size of the tation within our national park system. Great country’s national park system at a stroke, an expanses of wetlands, barrier reefs, forested unprecedented event in world conservation areas, critical breeding and nesting sites, sites history. important to science and recreation, are now In a videotaped designated as national park presentation to Trust areas and will be protected in members, Mr Ingraham perpetuity.” recalled the obligation He also highlighted the of signatories to the “the viability of non-con- United Nations Con- sumptive use of marine vention on Biological resources to the economy.” Diversity to “step up Prime Minister protection of Ingraham made special biodiversity within their mention of the work of the own country.” In Bahamas National Trust, particular, he noted that referring to the organization the Biodiversity Con- as “a model of success, of vention calls on coun- innovative conservation at tries to protect natural work, around the globe.” resources and ecosys- The Trust, he said, had tems where they occur. worked diligently for more “This ‘in situ’ than 40 years to protect the conservation,” he said, country’s natural resources “is recognized as the for the benefit of all Bahami- President pinnacle, the highest ans: “It has led and shaped Macgregor and most important the conservation movement Robertson step a country can take in The Bahamas in an to protect its biological exemplary manner. It has similarly built and managed Executive diversity, its natural resources, its plant and our national park system.” Director animal and marine life.” “A point in case”, he Gary Larson Calling the new said, “ is the Trust’s work

Currents, June 2002 1 several million conch per year to areas And in several of the newly designated outside the park available to be har- parks the boundaries extend seaward to vested by fishermen. Additionally, 100 fathoms, moving the country tagged grouper from the Exuma Park closer to this goal. The Bahamas is a have been caught off north and south 124,000-square-mile archipelago Long Island, indicating that the park is between Cuba and Florida. Only replenishing grouper stocks in areas as 5,300 square miles of the country is far as 150 miles away. Tagged crawfish land, the remainder is marine territory. from the Exuma Park are found By his actions, the prime minis- replenishing the marine environs of ter doubled Bahamian national park holdings from approximately 320,000 acres to over 650,000 acres, and foreshadowed other areas to be con- veyed to the Trust. The new parks include: extensive land and sea areas of Central Andros; Harrold, Wilson & Bonefish Ponds and the Primeval Forest on New Providence; the entire island and coastal area of Little Inagua; Moriah Harbour Cay and its marine environs at Great Exuma; Pasture and O’Brien Cays in the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, and the Walker’s Cay marine area off Abaco.

with the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. A dozen or so years ago the Trust recognized unsustainable pressures on our national fisheries resources. Under provisions of the Bahamas National Tr ust Act, by-slaws for the Exuma Park were rewritten in 1986, making the entire 176 square mile park a no-take fisheries replenishment area, the first of its kind in the Wider Caribbean. Years later, the scientific community coined the term “marine fisheries reserve” for Cat Island, which is 70 miles away. such areas and now, based largely on “These extraordinary benefits to the success of the Exuma Park, pro- fisheries are coupled with a benefit to motes the establishment of such ecotourism. With marine and terres- reserves as the best way to sustain trial life in abundance, the park is a fishery resources.” popular mecca for tourists and an Scientific evidence supports Mr. invaluable outdoor classroom for our Ingraham’s statement. The concentra- youth,” Mr Ingraham said. tion of conch inside the Exuma Cays The success of fishery resource Land & Sea Park is now 31 times replenishment in the Exuma Park led greater than outside the park. It is the government to announce a policy conservatively estimated that the conch decision in 2000 to protect 20 per cent concentration in the park provides of the Bahamian marine environment.

2 Currents, June 2002 to many scientific journals and In Memorium and reference works, including the Encyclopedia Britannica. Oris Russell, OBE, a founding Mr Russell will be remem- member of the Bahamas Na- bered by the Trust for his great tional Trust, a former president, interest in gardening with spe- and a life-long member of Coun- cial emphasis on the flora of the cil died May 14 at his Woodland Bahamas. He was a member of Road Home in Nassau. the scientific expedition that sur- Mr Russell retired in 1983 af- veyed the Exuma Cays in 1958 ter a 42-year career in the civil to recommend that a national service. He was one of the first park be established under the Bahamians to go abroad on a authority of a proposed national government scholarship when in trust. 1947 he attended the University He was recognized by the of Florida in Gainesville, com- Society of Caribbean Ornithol- pleting a bachelor of science de- ogy in 1996 at their annual gen- gree with honours in agriculture eral meeting in Nassau for his in 1950 and a master’s degree in contributions to Bahamian orni- agriculture in 1951. Founding thology and conservation. His He returned to Nassau and scientific contributions were nu- in 1954 became agriculture di- Member merous but few people know rector. During his time as direc- that he coined the name of the tor he introduced more than 300 Oris Russell, BNT’s annual Arts and Crafts varieties of new and improved Festival saying one day that we plants, including fruit, vegetables should hold a “jollification” dur- and ornamental trees and OBE ing the pre-Christmas season. shrubs, and selected a better This annual event is now one of appointment was in 1973 as per- breed of sheep and swine for Ba- the Trust’s chief fundraisers. Mr manent secretary to the Ministry of hamian farmers. After the transi- Russell loved the Trust and sel- External Affairs. tion to ministerial government in dom missed an event or public He was official correspondent 1964, he was appointed perma- meeting. He will be missed by in the Bahamas to several scien- nent secretary to the Ministry of all of us. Agriculture and Fisheries. His last tific organizations and contributed Gala Ball Congratulations The BNT Gala Ball held at Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort in April was a huge success. Over 250 ballgoers dined sumptuously and danced the night away to the tunes of the RBDF Jazz Band and Modern Vintage. The BNT recognizes with thanks the tremendous efforts of the Ball Committee: Colin Lightbourn, Susan Larson, Beth Bethell and Robin Symonette in making the evening such a success. Thanks are also extended to Sandals for their terrific support of the evening. Pictured are Colin Lightbourn (right), Ball Commitee Chairman presenting Liz Christiansen with one of the door prizes.

Currents, June 2002 3 A LOOK at The New Parks

CENTRAL ANDROS life on New Providence. An excep- values of this are enormous. Andros is a remarkable island that tional educational and ecotourism makes enormous contributions to site, a stone’s throw from the Ocean currents flow through the the collective natural resource nation’s capital and tourism hub, Bahamas from the southeast to the wealth of the Bahamas. these areas are an invaluable addi- northwest. As a result, Little Inagua tion to the country’s national park is upstream of the rest of the coun- It is guarded by one of the world’s system. try. Its surrounding waters contrib- longest and best-preserved bar- ute to the supply of fisheries rier reefs and houses the high- eggs, larvae, and sub-adults est known density of blue holes that are swept into other parts in the world. Its extensive wet- of Bahamian marine territory. lands are of national, regional Park designation increases the and international importance and percentage of marine ecosys- it boasts the “best bonefishing in tem under protection for fishery the world”. It provides critical replenishment purposes. habitat for endangered birds, crabs and iguanas. It is our Additionally, Little Inagua is a country’s largest reservoir of documented nesting location for fresh water. critically endangered sea turtle species. A naturally functioning giant eco- system, the component parts of WALKER’S CAY MARINE the island of Andros are as PARK breathtaking in their beauty as The northernmost island in the they are significant in their value. Bahamas, Walker’s Cay is This first phase of park designa- fringed by its own barrier reef. tion focuses on Central Andros The stunning coral formations —North Bight, Fresh Creek, and surrounding marine envi- Blanket Sound, Young Sound, rons host schools of pompano and Staniard Creek. These areas and amberjack, large marine contain pine forests, blue holes, predators, such as sharks and coral reefs, wetlands, and man- barracudas, multitudes of groves. Their designation paves colourful tropical fish, turtles and the way for additional protection eagle rays. Renowned for un- in the north and south of Andros. derwater cathedrals teeming with unprecedented concentra- HARROLD AND WILSON tions of fish, visibility that PONDS reaches 100 feet, and an end- Located in south central New less variety of marine life, this Providence, Harrold and Wilson underwater paradise is a mecca for Ponds encompass 250 acres. More LITTLE INAGUA divers. than 100 avian species, including Remote, inaccessible, and with no the island’s highest concentration fresh water, Little Inagua is by far Although less than 10 square miles, of herons, egrets, ibises and cor- the largest uninhabited island in the Walker’s Cay marine area makes morants, have been identified there, Wider Caribbean. The island exists important contributions to providing confirmation that the area in a natural, undisturbed state and biodiversity and to the tourism in- is an indispensable habitat for bird the biodiversity implications and dustry of the island, highlighting the

4 Currents, June 2002 New BNT President Chartered accountant Macgregor organization and invaluable practical N. Robertson, managing partner of experience in conservation issues and Deloitte and Touche in the Baha- leadership. A skilled photographer, his mas and Caribbean and regional pictures of native flora and nesting partner for Deloitte & Touche seabirds have been used in several BNT International, was elected president educational presentations. of the Bahamas National Trust Mr Robertson has been chairman of recently, succeeding John F. Bethell the board of St Andrew’s School; whose term ended at the Trust’s treasurer and president of the Rotary annual council meeting on April 20. Club of East Nassau; assistant district Mr Robertson attended Queen’s governor of Rotary International District College and St Andrew’s School in 7020; commodore of the Bahamas Air Nassau. He attended Fettes College in Sea Rescue Association, and the Bahamas Edinburgh, Scotland and McGill Yacht Squadron; a director of the University in Montreal, Canada (where Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, the serving as honourary secretary and vice he studied organic chemistry and marine Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accoun- president. An active member of the biology). He articled to Peat Marwick tants and the Nassau Tourism Develop- Wildlife Committee he has also chaired Mitchell in Nassau and qualified as a ment Board; a member of the Airport the Gamebird Subcommittee for the past member of the Canadian Institute of Advisory Committee and chairman of three years and is active in the BNT’s Chartered Accountants in 1965— the Bahamasair Holdings Ltd. He is cur- White-crowned Pigeon banding first Bahamian to do so. He is a founding rently chairman of the Bahamas Devel- programme. Mr Robertson’s long member of the Bahamas Institute of opment Bank. association and involvement in the work Chartered Accountants. Also elected were Colin Lightbourn of the Trust for many years has given him Mr Robertson has been an active as Deputy President, and Hugh Sands as a broad working knowledge of the member of the Trust for many years Honourary Secretary. viability of non-consumptive use of MORIAH HARBOUR THE PRIMEVAL FOREST marine resources to the economy. CAY PARK Entering this area is a step back in Moriah Harbour Cay and its marine time. Remarkably undisturbed, this BONEFISH POND NATIONAL environs are a vital part of the eco- old-growth forest is a representa- PARK system between Great and Little tion of the early evergreen tropical Bonefish Pond lies on the south Exuma. It encompasses pristine hardwood forests of the Bahamas. central coast of New Providence. beaches, sand dunes, mangrove Located in the southwest portion It is an important marine nursery creeks, and sea grass beds. A va- of New Providence, this area fea- area for the island, providing a pro- riety of birdlife nests there, includ- tures dramatic sinkholes—unique tective, nutrient rich habitat for ju- ing gull-billed and least terns, night- limestone “caverns” up to 50 feet venile stocks of fish, crawfish, and hawks, plovers, oystercatchers and long, 30 feet wide, and in some conch. The loss or degradation of a resident pair of osprey. The man- cases 30 feet deep. Similar features nursery habitats contributes to groves are a vital nursery in their elsewhere in the Bahamas have depletion of these valuable marine own right for juvenile crabs, craw- provided fossil and subfossil re- resources. Encompassing 1,800 fish, conch, gray snappers, yellow- mains of Bahamian fauna as well acres, Bonefish Pond supports a tails, and groupers. Landward, pal- as Indian and Bahamian artifacts. wide variety of waterfowl and an mettos, buttonwoods, bay cedar, The Primeval Forest supports a di- important variety of Bahamian flora. and sea oats work in concert, pro- verse collection of plant life, as well The wetland itself provides critical viding stability, nutrients and beauty as various species of wildlife. protection from storm surges to to the ecosystem. Moriah Harbour communities along New Cay is an outstanding example of Providence’s southern shore. The the Bahamian coastal zone and is educational and ecotourism poten- an important addition to the park tial of this wetland area is significant. system.

Currents, June 2002 5 BNTBNT BringsBrings “Wetlands“Wetlands areare Wild”Wild” toto GreatGreat ExumaExuma StudentsStudents ver 450 students on Great Exuma now know “This was a great experience for us,” said Mrs Owhy mangrove wetlands are among the most Gape. “We were very impressed with the interest and biologically productive of all marine ecosystems. enthusiasm demonstrated by both the students and BNT Education officers Lynn Gape and Monique the teachers in Great Exuma and we are especially Sweeting traveled to Great Exuma in April to give grateful to the Exuma Resource Centre for logistical nine performances of the regionally acclaimed arrangements.” Teachers were given fact sheets on “Wetlands are Wild” puppet show for local school the mangrove ecosystem and other educational children. materials. Students who responded correctly to The puppet show is one of the educational questions at the end of the show were rewarded with outputs of the West Indian Whistling Duck Wetlands the West Indian Whistling Duck Coloring Book illus- Conservation Project of the Society of Caribbean trated by Bahamian artist Melissa Maura. Ornithology. The show was written by Mrs Gape and Mrs Sweeting in conjunction with Karen St. Cyr of the Ministry of Education. The puppets were re- cently redesigned by Mrs Sweeting. The Trust was able to perform the show for 10 local primary schools at the Exuma Resource Centre in George Town.The Centre handled all the scheduling and transportation of the students for the shows. The puppet show seeks to make students understand the importance of wetlands as habitat for the West Indian Whistling Duck, an endangered species, and other wildlife. Students also learn that the mangrove’s maze of roots produces a living seawall that protects the coast from storm surges and provides nurseries for economically important species such as crawfish, conch and grouper.

6 Currents, June 2002 Trust Launches Important Bird Conservation Initiatives

his spring the Bahamas National those as “vital” to maintaining bird TTr ust entered into a three–year populations and habitat diversity. A partnership with BirdLife International listing of the areas will be published as a to coordinate and implement the blueprint for bird conservation in the Important Bird Areas Programme for the Bahamas. Bahamas. Work will continue over the next BirdLife International is a global three years to complete conservation partnership of non-governmental assessments for the highest priority sites conservation organizations with a focus and to initiate sustainable use activities. on birds. The partnership works to Information gaps will also be identified support biodiversity by conserving and filled through monitoring and important bird habitats. BirdLife surveying activities in the field. International operates in 103 countries “This is an exciting program for the David Wege, BirdLife International and territories worldwide. Tr ust,” said BNT education officer and Caribbean Program Manager gives and BirdLife International established birding enthusiast Lynn Gape, “as well as overview of the IBA programme. similar partnerships earlier this year with an important effort undertaken with UNEP’s Caribbean Environment groups in Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico national and local support to conserve Program, the Society for Caribbean and the Dominican Republic, with birds and their habitat in the Bahamas.” Ornithology, the West Indian Whistling financing from the John D. and Immediately following the IBA Duck and Wetlands Conservation Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and National Workshop, BirdLife Interna- Project and the North American the United Nations Environment tional convened a strategic planning Waterbird Plan. Program (UNEP). meeting at the Trust to evaluate the To obtain additional funding to The threat of long-term population existing national partnerships in the strengthen the IBA programme in the declines of migratory songbirds, shore- Caribbean and build a stronger and more Caribbean (through public outreach, birds, seabirds, and wading birds in the coherent regional bird conservation training and capacity development), Caribbean is well known. The causes are programme. workshop participants developed a complex, but most scientists say habitat This was the first opportunity for proposal for submission to the Global loss and degradation are the major the BirdLife network in the Caribbean to Continued on page 8 factors affecting breeding grounds, discuss regional migratory stopovers and pathways and issues face to wintering areas. face. Taking part A key step in conserving bird were govern- habitats is the identification of those ment representa- places that provide the greatest habitat tives and value and support significant populations BirdLife partners of an exceptional diversity of birds. These from Jamaica, so-called Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are Cuba, the critical strongholds of avian abundance Bahamas and the and diversity. Dominican The Bahamas held its first IBA Republic. National Workshop in April at the Trust’s Bird Studies headquarters on Village Road. Among Canada, those taking part were representatives currently from Bahamian government agencies, working on a local ornithologists and scientists project in Pictured from left: Eric Carey, Department of Agriculture; Erica Gates, conducting research on birds in the Jamaica, was also Grand Bahama; Neil McKinney, BNT Ornithology Group; Lynn Gape, Bahamas. present, as were BNT Education Officer; Colin Higgs, Ambassador of the Environment; Participants identified 90 key areas regional institu- William Hayes, Loma Linda; Paul Dean, BNT Ornithology Group; David Wege, BirdLife International. throughout the archipelago, citing 45 of tions such as

Currents, June 2002 7 BNT Recognizes Outstanding Volunteers The Trust annually recognizes volunteers promote the use of native trees and plants nently, but always willingly. Curator Robyn who, through their dedication and exper- in the built landscape and he has encour- Howard received a certificate on behalf of tise, contribute to biodiversity protection aged many BNT members to increase their Ardastra Gardens. and environmental education in the Ba- knowledge of native vegetation. hamas. This year two individuals and one Dr Ethan Freid, lecturer at the corporation were recognized for outstand- College of the Bahamas, is a plant ing service. taxonomist who has used his exper- “These volunteers put in many unpaid tise to help strengthen the Bahamas hours to help the Trust achieve its conser- National Herbarium and produce vation goals,” said Executive Director Gary plant lists on a variety of islands for Larson. “We are indebted to them in many the Trust and the government. Dr ways and we want to express our apprecia- Fried is leaving the Bahamas soon tion publicly.” to take a position at the University Cadrington Coleby was cited for his of Tampa. coordination of the Native Flora Group. The Ardastra Gardens Conser- Robyn Howard (left) receiving her certificate His enthusiasm and interest have helped vation Centre is often called on by from past president John Bethell. the Trust to help with wild- life rescue and rehabilitation. Recently there has been an upsurge in the smuggling of Bahamian wildlife and the introduction of potentially invasive species, making the Ardastra’s contributions even more important. As the nation’s only ‘zoo’ the Ardastra has generously cared for many confiscated spe- cies—sometimes tempo- Dr Ethan Freid (left) receiving his certificate from Cadrington Coleby (left) receiving his certificate rarily, sometimes perma- past president John Bethell. from past president John Bethell. Continued frompage7 Environment Facility, the financial mechanism for the United The birdwatching industry is a growing economic force, Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. and conserving birds carries economic benefits. Birds are “This regional project offers great opportunities for training indicators of biodiversity and environmental health. Some 560 in conservation techniques and identification of sites where species of birds occur in the wider Caribbean area. It is esti- sustainable tourism practices can be implemented with commu- mated that 9 out of 10 of the several hundred birds that have nity support, “ said BNT Deputy Director Susan Larson. “The become extinct in recent centuries were island species. They are Bahamas National Trust will be a key participant in this more vulnerable because of their limited habitat and lack of important international initiative.” defence against introduced predators.

Bahamas National Trust P.O. Box N 4105 Nassau, Bahamas

8 Currents, June 2002