Source: best, 2005a

Ecosystems and biodiversity is impacted by the agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism industries that are required to sustain life. In an effort to minimize the impacts on biodiversity from these industries; actions for conservation and sustainable use has to be incorporated in all of the sectoral and cross-sectoral strategies. This incorporation into the strategies is considered ‘mainstreaming’. Chapter 3 outlines the mainstreaming activities for The Bahamas. Currently, The Bahamas has sectoral plans (five year) for Agriculture and Fisheries. The enactment of the Forestry Act, 2010 requires the development of a five year forestry plan. The Ministry of Tourism has a national plan for sustainable tourism and ecotourism, but only some aspects of the plan have been implemented. An ecotourism plan for Andros is being developed as an output of the Integrated Watershed and Coastal Areas Management Project (IWCAM) Andros demonstration project that is nearing its completion. The sole entity responsible for 26 of the protected areas, The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) also developed a strategic five year plan. The various sectoral plans and policies have incorporated measures for the conservation and sustainability of biodiversity, but this has not been a direct result of mainstreaming efforts.

The agriculture sector plan (Section 3.1.1) aims to ensure long term development and conservation of the national agricultural resource base as well as the protection of the country’s future capacity to produce. Aspects of the plan include conservation and protection of the water resources through the development of an agricultural sector water policy and training in good agricultural practices (GAP), protection of agricultural land through the development of a land evaluation system and land zone maps and preservation of agricultural biodiversity by establishing an ornamental research and development programme (e.g. to study Invasive Alien Species (IAS)). The plan should assist in the sustainable expansion of agricultural products in order to provide food locally at a competitive price. It also calls for the construction of a diagnostic laboratory to protect the health, welfare and food and safety of agricultural animals. Threats such as IAS, diseases, land conversion and water pollution should be reduced if the plan is successfully implemented.

The marine resources sector plan (Section3.1.2) is based on “the conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources and the marine environment for the benefit of current and future generations of all Bahamians” (Agriculture Plan, 2010). Some of the main aspects of the plan are to develop a data collection system to provide necessary biological, economic and social data for assessment and management for all major species/fisheries; maintain and restore populations of marine species at levels that can produce the optimal sustainable yield by promoting efforts to reduce lionfish in The Bahamas, through research and educational campaigns and by introducing a certification process for crawfish fisherman; to preserve rare or fragile ecosystems, as well as habitats and other ecologically sensitive areas by designating and policing protected areas. Once the plan is implemented, it will assist with reducing the threats of lionfish and illegal fishing. It will also provide a data collection system for vital marine resources information. Gaps and deficiencies in the current legislation should be identified and addressed during the regulatory review.

The Forestry Act, 2010 (Section 3.1.3) provides protection to wetlands, water reserves, endemic flora and fauna and protected trees. It establishes a legal framework for the long-term sustainable management of forests, a governmental forestry agency and a permanent forest estate. The Act classes forest into the following designations: Forest Reserves, Protected Forests and Conservation Forests. It requires a license for timber cutting and other activities in the Forest Reserves. The Act mandates that a National Forest Plan be developed every five years to govern management activities, such as harvesting and reforestation measures, prescriptions for fire prevention, wildfire suppression and prescribed burning and soil and water conservation.

The Tourism sector plan (Section 3.1.4) seeks to diversify the tourism product, while safeguarding the health of the ecosystems which underpin the industry. Some of the conservation measures implemented from the MOTA programmes were the installation of pump out facilities for wastewater and containment facilities for hazardous and solid waste at marinas participating in the Blue Flag Programme, resulting in the protection of the coastal environment from pollution. An educational campaign and signage is required for the environmental measures being implemented by the marinas. The Coastal Awareness Committee chaired by the MOTA assists in educating the public on the threats to our coastal environment and a manual for training birding guides is being developed.

The vision of BNT’s strategic plan is a “Comprehensive system of national parks and protected areas, with every Bahamian embracing environmental stewardship” (BNT, 2008). The plan focuses on the creation of management plans for the protected areas, implementation of measures to reduce IAS within the protected areas, public education and awareness for the sustainable use of wetlands and the development of a comprehensive reference library.

The Bahamas has not developed other national and sub-national strategies and programmes, such as a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper or a National Plan for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals. A Draft National Action Programme to Combat Land Degradation was developed and shelved and an Integrated Water Resources Management Plan has been developed and awaiting approval from the GOB. However, The Bahamas has achieved some cross-sectoral integration through various projects such as the Land Use Project and The Bahamas Land Use, Policy and Administration Project (LUPAP).

The Bahamas has had numerous studies conducted, adopted policies and enacted legislation which would contribute to the protection of biodiversity in the country. Despite using the various mainstreaming mechanisms to develop these documents, the country struggles with making the document a reality, resulting in a decline of biodiversity. Many environmentalists in the country feel that the environment is considered as an afterthought when it comes to development in the country. Implementation is hampered by lack of technical skills, lack of man power, lack of equipment and scarce financial resources. Even though tools exist to assist in decision making for development in the country they are more often than not referred to for guidance.

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) were required for developments in The Bahamas since 1995, although not mandated by legislation. EIAs are now mandated for projects that may likely have adverse impacts on the environment under the Planning and Subdivision Bill, 2010. However, it does not outline specific strategies for conservation and sustainability of biodiversity. The Bahamas should consider utilizing other mainstreaming tools such as Strategic Impact Assessments and the ecosystem approach for the development of policies.

The 2010 target calls for “a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss…as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth” (CBD). The Bahamas’ progress towards the 2010 target and strategic plan is assessed in Chapter 4. Progress has been measured in terms of activities undertaken by the various government agencies. Table E.2 (excerpt from Table 4.1) shows the progress in meeting the Conventions goals and objectives.