The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE multi-million dollar benefits generated by the Bahamas' Marine Protected Areas (MPA) will be endangered unless proper management systems are implemented, a study has warned.

An economic valuation of ecosystems in the Bahamas' 40 MPAs, conducted for local environmental organisations, said the "economic value of the fisheries and tourism sectors" is "at risk" unless the necessary financing and governance systems are put in place.

The report, conducted by the Natural Capital Project, said just 10 per cent of the Bahamas' MPAs possess final management plans while another 15 have draft versions. This means that less than half the nation's MPAs are overseen by properly structured governance frameworks.

The specific threats identified in the study, which was carried out for the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), The Nature Conservancy and the Bahamas Reef Environment Education Foundation (BREEF), include undermining $67.6 million in annual tourist spending - and 383,000 visitor days - generated by visits to the MPAs.

These areas also contain ecosystems responsible for producing more than $23.5 million in yearly habitat value as breeding grounds for the spiny lobster, generating more than 50 per cent of crawfish sector activity, six million pounds of catch and some 1,300 Bahamian jobs.

MPA ecosystems were also identified as providing a natural coastal defence to hurricanes, protecting some $806 million in annual income and the 40,000 residents who live along the coastline of Bahamian islands.

And the mangroves and seagrass within the MPA network were found to store 400 million tons of carbon, saving $5 billion annually in terms of harmful emissions avoided.

"Effective management is important for maintaining and growing the economic value of the ecosystem services within the existing network of MPAs, as the examples of Southwest New Providence Marine Managed Area (SWMMA) and Andros show," the Natural Capital Project report said.

"Only four out of the 40 existing MPAs have management plans finalised; 15 sites have draft plans. Without effective management and financing to protect coastal and marine ecosystems, the Bahamas puts at risk the economic value of its fisheries and tourism sectors and increases its vulnerability to hurricanes and climate change."

The study added that the "economic value and benefits" associated with the MPAs, and their coastal and marine ecosystems, meant their management needed to be included within the Bahamas' major planning processes.

"The economic value of ecosystem services and the livelihoods they support indicate the importance of managing the MPA network now in order to help safeguard against the loss of economic and societal benefits to Bahamians, the Caribbean and people worldwide in the future," the report's authors warned.

"According to our analysis, visitation within MPAs provides $67.6 million annually in tourism expenditures; 2.6 per cent of overall expenditures in 2015. Ecosystems within the existing MPA network are worth more than $23.5 million annually in nursery habitat values for spiny lobster.

"The nursery habitat within the MPA network contributes to 50 per cent of the overall value of the lobster fishery, which in turn provides more than 1,300 active lobster jobs. In addition, ecosystems in the network reduce the risk of coastal hazards, such as Hurricanes Mathew and Joaquin, to nearly 40,000 people living along coastlines throughout the country and $806 million in annual income. Mangroves and seagrass within the MPA network store 400 million tons of carbon, worth $5 billion in avoided emissions globally."

The Natural Capital Project study warned that all these economic, environmental and storm protection benefits were coming under increased pressure from "a growing intensity of activities in the coastal zone".

Pointing to the importance of MPAs as hurricane defences, the report warned: "Half the population of San Salvador and one-third of the population of the Berry Islands are at lower risk from coastal hazards due to ecosystems within MPAs.

"More than 30,000 people on New Providence live in areas partially protected by corals in SWMMA and coastal forests in Bonefish National Park. The economic value of coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and coppice within MPAs for reducing the storm risk of coastal communities depends on exposure (shallow, wide shelfs are associated with storm surge) and proximity to coastal populations."

Noting that ecosystem value varied across the MPA network, the study added: "The higher tourism expenditures attributable to Southwest New Providence Marine Managed Area and Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park illustrate the importance of infrastructure and access for supporting tourism, and highlight how investing in protection and management of coral reef and fish communities can foster a world-renowned location for tourism.

"Habitats in Andros West Side National Park and Marls of Abaco store the most carbon in the network, valued at more than $3.5 billion, and $500 million in avoided carbon emissions, respectively."

The Natural Capital Project study, dated November 2017, was carried out as part of Bahamas Protected, a three-year initiative designed to improve and expand the MPAs so that the economic value of their ecosystems is protected.

"Taken in conjunction with information about costs of implementation and threats to habitats that provide services, the economic value of ecosystem services can help to ensure that management strategies maximise net benefits to MPA-adjacent communities and all Bahamians," it said.

"By fostering an iterative process between ecosystem service valuation and stakeholder engagement, Bahamas Protected has the opportunity to understand how management decisions made today will influence the sustainability and economic value of ecosystems into the future."