By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Business Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas National Trust (BNT) yesterday said the recent adjustment in anchorage fees at the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (ECLSP) was necessary to help maintain the park in the face of annual financial shortfalls.
The Park costs $500,000 per annum to run, and the BNT in a statement acknowledged concerns by some boaters over the recently adjusted anchorage policy that went into effect on March 1. Under the new fee structure, vessels under 90 feet will be charged $0.50 per foot, and vessels over this benchmark will be charged $1 per foot.
"The operations of the Exuma Park have changed much over its more than half-a-century of existence, and today the park is a very different place," the BNT said. "Use of the park has increased exponentially, and today there is tremendous pressure on the park' precious natural resources.
"The changes have accelerated over the past two decades, and the matter of insufficient funding to manage ECLSP had to be addressed for the financial well-being, and to help ensure the future of this historic land and sea park."
The BNT added: "The financial resources required to maintain the park, and it's unique biodiversity and relatively intact ecosystems, increases every year. Effective management of this special space requires increased staff capacity, moorings, patrol and maintenance, more vessels and improved communications and infrastructure. Even with the streamlining of expenses at the park, today it still costs nearly half a million dollars annually to run the ECLSP, and each year the park faces a financial income shortfall."
The BNT said the decision to introduce anchorage fees was one of the solutions identified in BNT's sustainable financial plan to help effectively manage the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
"We must design and operate them like any other successful business venture by factoring in financial sustainability from the beginning," it added.
The BNT said users of the ECLSP include cruising yachts, day tours, scientists, researchers, academics, filmmakers, non-governmental organisations and citizen science programme groups.
It is currently finalising a plan that will allow mooring and anchoring fees to be paid on a weekly, monthly, bi-annual and annual basis. This system will offer discount options as compared to the daily rate.
Comments
Sickened 6 years ago
This rate is still a drop in the bucket for the people who anchor there. First of all it still isn't enough to even recoup the cost of putting the mooring down and maintaining it. Second, the people that frequent the area spend that much just taking out all of their boats from inside their yacht. Many of these people are spending five to ten thousand a day just on food, staff and fuel. I don't think that $100 a day for a secure mooring in one of the best anchorages in the world is going to sway them.
observer2 6 years ago
Not to mention the amount of fish and lobster they take out of Bahamian waters for “personal” consumption and the pollution from dumping thier waste in the water.
A net loss for sure.
Bahamians live giving away thier natural resources to foreigners while locals catch hell.
sheeprunner12 6 years ago
Only in The Bahamas can a foreign vessel just drop anchor in any Out Island harbour in our country and pay NO fees. Every port should have proper berths for these vessels to anchor and pay fees to our Treasury via the harbour master and Administrator's Office.
Discovery 3 years, 2 months ago
You clearly haven't ever sailed your own vessel to other Caribbean countries. We have. 5 years in eastern Caribbean 2015-2019 Martinigue fees none.. Mooring balls are also free..designed to encourage foreign visitors to stop at various harbors and spend money. Guadeloupe free clearance fees no cruising permits .So there are 2 countries that charge visiting boats no fees. The Jacque Cousteau marine park in Guadeloupe free anchoring no fees for snorkeling etc. Grenada 60 us dollars for 3 months...St Vincent. 30 us dollars for 3 months...Dominica 25 us dollars for 6 months..i can go on..Bahamas is by far the most expensive island country in the southern hemisphere. The water is beautiful but very little else..few cultural destinations ..the reefs are the biggest draw as well as the water...charging 600 us dollars for 6 months is not a recepie to attract more cruiser boats to spend money with Bahamians in black point, georgetown, Staniel cay etc. Also in America a mooring ball usually comes with free pump out for waste, dressing rooms showers and trash drop off etc.
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