A Letter From Bimini

•This letter has been sent to a wide list of people, including the prime minister and deputy prime minister.

by Marty Weech

People from Bimini, and around the world, have been calling for the preservation of this beautiful island for years.

Back in 2000, we were told that our precious home was designated as the highest-priority site in the Bahamas for a Marine Protected Area, yet here we are in 2008 with no MPA. Bimini's MPA is widely supported, locally and internationally, and its implementation is a key factor to the economic and ecological future of the island, long-hailed as the Big Game Fishing Capital of the World.

Just a few days ago, a news report suggested that the government is holding off on designating Bimini's MPA because of a perceived apathy from Bimini, rather than recognizing that for us here, this issue should have already been settled years ago. I am never one to take a defeatist's attitude but I can see why there appears to be a sense of apathy amongst the people of Bimini.

There have been inquiries, investigations, committees, surveys, studies and promises for years in regards to the current development on North Bimini and their wanton destruction and impact on the environment and ecology. We have talked to administrators, MP's, lawyers, church leaders, heads of state, scientists, and environmental groups. We have had meetings, forums, educational fairs, flyers, and petitions voicing our desire to have the project stopped and preservation of the wetlands implemented. And through all of this, do you know what the general belief of Biminites is...?

We feel that it doesn't matter what we do because the government leaders do not have our best interests at heart, only profit - personal or otherwise. Our desire to preserve the natural heritage of Bimini for the future of Bimini, the very thing that brings people like the Bimini Bay developers to our islands, is for sale to the highest bidder.

In the end our fate is not in our own hands but in the hands of a small few who know nothing of daily life in Bimini and the tragic effects that this development, even in just its beginning stage, has had on the economy and ecology of the island.

Most people feel this way and have adopted the attitude toward our leadership of "they're going to do what they want to do no matter what we say, so why waste your breath". I know it's unfortunate, but it's a product of being let down by the same people for so long.

So when the government says that the people of Bimini have not shown that they want a Marine Reserve or National Park, it's not true, we do. The people of Bimini have been ignored for too long, and for many their hopes for a better tomorrow have waned. I say shame on the leaders of our nation if they plan to use the plight of a weary community as their excuse to do the wrong thing.

Establishing Bimini's MPA and preserving what's left of Bimini will ensure that Biminites, tourists, and even foreign developers can enjoy this island jewel for future generations.

Comments

[Percival Miller]

Mr. Weech:

One of the most important points of your letter is that at appears that if the 'people of Bimini' have not stated that they want the prerequisite environmental protections, the powers that be could use it as an excuse against again.

If this is so it is a tragic state of affairs, and hints at a bigger problem, the lack of a strong enough environmental and resource protection apparatus and public ethic to act as a bulwark against the plans and opportunism of those who would exploit those resources for their personal or other benefit. Or lack of environmental and rights protection for communities against foreign and local economic adventurism, simply because local people do not have the organization, money, political clout, or lack the scientific training to put up much opposition. One could speculate from your letter there there might also not be an independent national agency that could have final say on important environmental decisions, free and in spite of heavy political pressures. We do not really have a great natural resource capacity, and with the future looking as it is, each community will need all the natural resource (habitat, agricultural, food, water and air quality, housing, and public health) it can get. And local people's opinions can only improve on the outcome of such decision-making.

Percival Miller

Percival

[Bob Knaus]

I've said this many times before. I'll say it again. Don't just "get the opinion" of the locals when making development decisions. LET THE LOCALS MAKE THE DECISIONS.

That's right, developers would have to negotiate with a local development board made up of citizens elected by the community. Nassau's only role would be to make sure national guidelines for environmental and infrastructure impact are followed. No more Heads Of Agreement papers. Devolve the decisions to the people who have to live with them.

Would some communities sell out to a mega-bucks developer? Sure... a few will... it's human nature. But most won't, because most communities really do care about their future. Right now, they can't do much about it. No wonder Biminites seem apathetic.

The best way to make apathy vanish is to empower people.

[larry smith]

National Geographic Traveler magazine's fourth annual destination survey had this to say:

"The Bahamas Out Islands vary a great deal. For every island that has local involvement and ecologically conscious development, there is another dominated by outside investment, where exploitation of the natural environment is the rule."

"Some of the most beautiful islands in the world but are being threatened by big development, second homes, and a loss of everything Bahamian. Still there are some special places like Andros, San Salvador, and Inagua."

"The allure of Eleuthera and its little sister Harbor Island has been discovered big time—chickens crossing the road mix with celebrity sightings."

"Aesthetically pleasant for those who only care about a beach and a BBQ. Rather appalling in terms of diffusing wealth or educating tourists about the Bahamas."

"The biggest threat lies with selective development by European-style resorts that come in and exceed the labor supply of the islands, resulting in the importation of off-island labor and the accompanying change in social character."

[Bill Keefe]

Having been resident of Bimini for the past 24 years, I can attest to Marty Weech's comments. The people of Bimini do feel as if they have little say in what happens in regards to the North Islands mega-development. I can remember attending town meetings when the project was in it's developmental stages. I recall local residents voicing their concerns and being chastised by visiting government officals. Being told that the project was "good for them" and "good for Bimini". Many felt as if the project was being "rammed down Bimini's throat". I remember attending a luncheon where the project developer spoke to the attendees (including then PM Perry Christie). During his speech he told the group that he intended on pushing forward with his development whether or not he had the support of Bimini's community.
Bimini is a small community of hard working people, trying to make it during a period of great economic uncertainty. For many right now, they must spend all of their available time, efforts, and resources, just providing for themselves and their families. They have neither the economic resources nor the specific scientific and legal know-how to take on a multi-million dollar realestate developer. One thing is for certain though. They know what they know. They know that their environment is being ripped out from underneath them. They know that 70% of their home island now belongs to a foreign developer. They know that as bad as things are now, the worst is still yet to come in the form of golf courses, further dredging, and more mangrove destruction. They know that for the past 8 years their concerns have fallen on deaf ears. And finally they know that the frustration that comes with having little or no control over your communities future can suck the energy out of you, leaving you in a state that others may mistakenly identify as apathy.
So congratulations Marty for speaking up. We can all hope that someone is listening.

[Bob Knaus]

I'm listening. Unfortunately, I'm not a Bahamian. I'm just a dam' 'Merican' sitting on my sailboat behind Salt Pond, Long Island, waiting out the weather.

I love these islands. I'd love to see the locals have more say over their destiny. In my former life, I used to advise local US governments on the best way to use technology to achieve their aims.

If you have ideas on how I might be useful, my email is bobknaus@pellucid.org