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The dream of a new marine protected area in the pristine waters of the Bahamas came closer to reality today as the Kerzner Marine Foundation — a newly established, private nonprofit foundation that fosters the preservation and enhancement of global marine ecosystems through scientific research, education, and community outreach — announced that its first grant would go toward the long-term protection of Andros Island, Bahamas.
Over the next three years, with support from the Kerzner Marine Foundation, The Nature Conservancy in collaboration with Bahamas National Trust (BNT) and the Bahamas Sportfishing Conservation Association (BSCA) and other partners, will work with the government of the Bahamas toward the creation of a new marine protected area, an ocean and coastal area that enjoys similar protections to national parks in the U.S. If established, this new conservation area will likely be on the west side of Andros Island in the Bahamas.
Located off the southern tip of Florida, Andros Island is the largest yet least developed island in The Bahamas archipelago. Big, forested and relatively unspoiled, Andros and its surrounding waters provide a rare opportunity to protect pristine Bahamian wilderness. The island contains some of the most outstanding examples of intact marine and terrestrial habitats left in The Bahamas, including:
- The third longest barrier reef in the world
- One of the largest bonefish populations in the world supported by vast tidal flats
- The highest concentration of blue holes, unique underwater cave-like habitats, in the Western Hemisphere
- The largest reservoir of freshwater in The Bahamas
- Populations of endangered Hawskbill and loggerhead sea turtles
The massive west side estuaries and mangrove forests on Andros Island, where the future marine protected area will be, are vital nursery and foraging habitats for commercially valuable species such as Nassau grouper, spiny lobster, tarpon, and bone fish.
Although Andros Island’s small population (9,000 residents) and vast untouched areas have afforded some the island’s land and marine wildlife some degree of protection, over the last few decades scientists, divers, fishermen and crabbers have observed deterioration in the health and richness of both habitat and key individual ocean species. This decline threatens not only the island’s plants, animals and natural beauty, but also the nation’s economy since commercial and sport fishing account for more than $100 million annually.
The first step to preserving these waters and the life they support is to determine which areas on the west side of the island are the most critical to protect and include in any new marine protected area. After the scientific assessment has been completed, The Nature Conservancy, BNT and BSCA will take this information to the Bahamian national government. The partners will work with the government, local nonprofits and the communities on Andros with the goal of creating a new marine protected area that will ensure the nurseries remain healthy and available to shelter new generations of ocean wildlife for generations to come.
“An expanded marine protected area will preserve the waters surrounding Andros and the fish and other marine species that live there for the benefit of people now and in the future,” said Eleanor Phillips, The Nature Conservancy’s Bahamas program director.
For More Information:
- Press Release: Kerzner Marine Foundation Announces First Conservation Project in the Bahamas
Kerzner Marine Foundation – a newly established, private nonprofit foundation that fosters the preservation and enhancement of global marine ecosystems through scientific research, education, and community outreach – announced the funding of its first major project - Where We Work: The Nature Conservancy in the Bahamas
Stretching for hundreds of miles between the southeastern shores of the United States to the northern shores of Cuba, the Bahamas archipelago supports specially adapted vegetation, extensive coral reefs, productive marine banks, seagrass flats, mangrove forests and tidal creeks. - Places We Protect: Andros Island
Located off the southern tip of Florida, Andros is the largest and westernmost of the Bahamian islands at 100 miles long and 45 miles wide. - Online Field Guide: Andros Island
An anomaly in the Caribbean, Andros Island is big, forested and unspoiled — a rare Bahamian wilderness teeming with opportunities for conservation. - How You Can Help: Support Our Efforts in the Bahamas
You can help protect Andros Island and the last great places in the Bahamas. - Our Partner: Kerzner Marine Foundation (KMF)
- Archive of our Saves of the Week and Success Stories
Read more about The Nature Conservancy's work to save the last great places on Earth.
