The Tribune

THE reported construction of a cruise ship terminal in Western Bimini would be a “huge disservice” to the island and its valuable marine environment, according to the Bahamas National Trust.

Following the announcement that Resort Worlds was planning to build a large terminal to accommodate its Superfast Bimini vessel, BNT president Neil McKinney and the Trust’s executive director Eric Carey visited Bimini on a fact-finding mission.

They had two objectives, firstly to determine if residents were aware of the details of the proposed cruise ship terminal to be placed off the western shore of Bimini and secondly, to dive on the areas that could possibly be impacted by the development.

They walked through the community, speaking to local Biminites about their knowledge of the proposed cruise ship terminal.

The men said that as anticipated, many were appreciative of the positive economic impact of Bimini Bay, but many also complained about the huge toll development has taken on their island.

When it came to the cruise terminal, most Biminites said no one really knew what the plans were, and to date there has been little to no information shared about the project with locals.

“While the BNT understands and supports the need for development projects to provide jobs for Bahamians, we have a responsibility to advise the government and express our concerns if these projects are likely to have negative and sometimes avoidable impact on our fragile environment,” said Mr Carey.

He stressed that the BNT is not an anti-development organisation, “but we are no clearer on the outline of this project yet and we have many BNT members and Bahamians who are concerned about its proposed placement.”

During the visit, Mr McKinney and Mr Carey were taken to several well-known and widely used dive sites off of the Western edge of North Bimini.

According to news reports, the proposed thousand foot long jetty will be constructed in Western Bimini, accompanied by a six acre dredge spoil island.

Mr McKinney dove the area and noted that they were teeming with fish, generally healthy coral and other marine life.

At one of the dive sites, there was a substantial colony of elkhorn coral, which is critically endangered in other parts of the Bahamas, but thriving in Bimini.

Mr McKinney said: “Coral reefs are some of the most threatened ecosystems globally, however, all of the sites that I visited were all healthy reef systems. These reefs are important both ecologically and economically to Bimini.

“Their loss therefore would have a double negative impact on the island, which is a world famous fishing capital of the Western Hemisphere.”

Ultimately, if the terminal is to be constructed in the area suggested, the BNT feels that it would be a huge disservice to Bimini, Biminites, and the marine ecosystem surrounding Bimini.

Mr McKinney said: “While development is essential, we must preserve our natural resources before it’s too late.”