The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

BEACH litter is a big concern in Grand Bahama and efforts are underway to monitor and protect one of the country’s most valued assets.

Jeffrey Pinder, senior executive of Sustainable Tourism Unit at the Ministry of Tourism, reported that plans are being discussed about re-introducing beach wardens.

During a visit at Taino Beach last week, rubbish and garbage bags full of trash were strewn about around beach park grounds. Trash receptacles were overflowing and the children’s playground was filthy and littered with trash.

Walking along the beach barefoot must be done with great care due to the many pieces of broken alcoholic beverage bottles embedded the sand.

Mr Pinder said that the Ministry of Tourism is committed to ensuring that beaches are clean and welcoming to visitors.

“We had some wardens here a few years ago, and so discussions are ongoing internally as we speak about that,” he said. “This is really important to us. It is like walking in someone’s house and the doors are open, and the floor is dirty - it is not inviting. So, this is just as important us as investing $5m into a new product - our environment must be first.”

He noted that the ministry has partnered with the Keep Grand Bahama Clean (KGBC) Committee to monitor and manage the beaches. “We understand the value and the importance of ensuring that beaches are clean, and we are working together,” Mr Pinder said.

The Sustainable Tourism Unit has also established a Sustainable Tourism Committee comprised of concerned residents, tour operators and members of the KGBC committee who have volunteered to monitor certain beach areas of Grand Bahama.

During International Coastal Cleanup in September, 2016, Mr Pinder said they encourage groups to adopt a beach.

Olethea Gardiner, of the KGBC Committee, said the committee has been working on the island for past 10 years, with private and non-government organisations.

“What we try to do is not be a clean-up committee, but one that engages persons and organisations to assist in cleaning up because it is everyone’s responsibility to keep Grand Bahama clean,” she said.

Ms Gardiner said that they continue to urge persons going to the beach to take garbage bags with them and noted that the committee has had meetings with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Royal Bahamas Police Force in establishing beach wardens.

“That has been put forth to the necessary bodies and we are hopefully getting some resolve on that matter. But we would like to continue to stress the message that it is everyone’s responsibility. If you see something please let us know, but also feel free to assist us in keeping our community clean, she said.