By MEGAN REYNOLDS
Tribune Staff Reporter
mreynolds@tribunemedia.net
FISHERMEN who accused developers of environmental terrorism on the south side of New Providence have been criticised for being too strong with their language.
Minister for the Environment Earl Deveaux pointed out how bonefish guides Clint Kemp and Aaron Bain of Secret Soul Fly Fishing Adventures used a bridge built for the Bahamas National Trust Bonefish Pond National Park while pointing out the effect South Seas development has on the park.
Mr Kemp said the dredging of a canal and removal of acres of mangroves at the site under construction at the entrance to Bonefish Pond can only be referred to as environmental terrorism as the silt released by dredging smothers the remaining mangrove roots and feeding holes which once attracted hundreds more fish, lobster and sharks.
Furthermore, the lost mangroves represent lost habitat for juvenile marine species and less protection for animals and the coastline from violent storms, and this has been done at the Venice Bay development just west of South Seas also.
However, in response to the fishermen's complaints, Mr Deveaux pointed out the efforts being made to protect the environment on the south coast.
He said: "The boardwalk and pavilion the fisherman was standing on and the road, were all done as a result of our effort to protect Bonefish Pond National Park.
"They were all completed this year by BNT with stimulus funding; 'Never complain about the farmer with your mouth full'."
Mr Deveaux also passed on the anonymous comments he received following the publication of Saturday's Tribune article reporting the fishermen's claims.
The writer said: "These fishermen are using strong language that is out of context with the development situation. They are operating like pirates, with an intent to destroy a growing industry, by quoting international law that does not apply to their own personal situation, they are attempting to defend.
"International law is not a personal experience, it is a global experience. Because they are inaccurately applying a label to a situation that is below the quality of their claim, these fishermen have exposed themselves as 'not credible witnesses to offer an expert opinion'. They need to be corrected before it gets out of hand."
The writer quoted academic Timothy Schofield's definition of environmental and eco terrorism: the utilisation of the forces of nature for hostile purposes, such as deliberate contamination of water or agricultural resources, and the use of the environment as a conduit for destruction, such as releasing chemical or biological weapons into the atmosphere.
But Mr Kemp maintains he was not referring to the use of environmental terrorism in armed conflict, but the destruction of valuable natural resources.
He believes the entire southern coast of New Providence should be protected as its mangroves and flats are unique to the area and are highly valuable feeding and breeding grounds for a wide variety of marine life.
Published On:Wednesday, March 10, 2010