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T
Figure 1.12: Hutia
rends


The hutia was once widespread throughout The Bahamas and were thought to be extinct until the mid-1960’s. Today on East Plana Cay there are 5,000 - 10,000 healthy individuals of the hutia (Ardastra Gardens, 2009). Through planning by BNT, the hutias were experimentally reintroduced to two cays in the Exumas – Little Wax Cay and Warderick Wells. A population explosion occurred and resulted in the depletion of the many plant species on the islands (Buden, 1995).
In San Salvador, rare sightings of iguana occur on the mainland with majority of the iguana population now restricted to a mere fraction (0.2%) of its former habitat (Hayes, 2003). Today less than 600 iguanas remain in San Salvador. In Exuma, Carey (1976) and Windrow (1977) estimated the Guana Cay iguana population to be between 80-90 individuals. Sixty-four individuals were estimated by Coenen (1995). The iguana population is on a decline in Bahamas.
Table 1.8: Iguana species in The Bahamas

Genus

Species

Sub-species

Common name

Status and Distribution

Cyclura

cychlura

inornata

Allen's cay iguana

200-300 on Allen's and adjacent cays

Cyclura

cychlura

cychlura

Andros island iguana

2000-5000 throughout Andros

Cyclura

cychlura

figginsi

Exuma islands iguana

1000-1200 on 7 cays in Exumas

Cyclura

carinata

bartschi

Bartsch's iguana

<500 on booby cay, Mayaguana

Cyclura

rileyi

nuclalis

Acklin's island iguana

18,000 on Acklin's island and surrounding cays

Cyclura

rileyi

rileyi

San Salvador iguana

500 on San Salvador and surrounding cays

Cyclura

rileyi

cristata

White cay iguana

<200 on White (sandy) cay

Estimates only, taken from the ecoregional plans done by the University of Miami, Ohio

Source: http://www.ardastra.com/iguanainfo.html

      1. Threats

Below are threats to Island ecosystems:

    • Natural Disasters - Isolation of species on cays makes them especially vulnerable

    • Sea level rise – inundation of lower level cays

    • Predators –cats, dogs, rats and wild animals

    • Diseases

    • Smuggling of species




      1. Implication for Human Beings

The uniqueness and health of Bahamian ecosystems would be comprised by the loss of iguanas.

Chapter 2: Current Status of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP)

    1. Overview of the NBSAP

The Bahamas’ National Biodiversity Strategy and Action plan (NBSAP) was submitted to the United Nations Environment Programme on June 30, 1999 and was partially funded by GEF. The vision for the NBSAP is– “A Strong Nation Rooted in a Healthy Environment (BEST, 1999).” The Mission of the NBSAP is – “The quality of life in The Bahamas depends on sustaining biological diversity and incorporating the needs of all peoples throughout the islands of the Commonwealth (BEST, 1999).” The main goals of the NBSAP are to enhance the quality of life in The Bahamas, develop integrated comprehensive planning, conserve biological resources and diversity, and promote public awareness and education and to secure financial support for implementation of the Mission.

The NBSAP helps to define Bahamian biodiversity and highlights the importance of biodiversity in terms of financial and social well-being. The plan outlines actions which the country can implement to help sustain its diverse biodiversity. Chapter 1 highlights the purpose and potential of biodiversity. Chapter 2 reviews the ongoing activities and needs of Bahamian institutions, relevant to the conservation and management of natural resources. Chapter 3 highlights the benefits of an integrated ecosystem approach. Chapter 4 provides recommendations for integrated bioregional planning and biodiversity education and communication. Chapter 5 outlines nine priority actions that should be implemented. Chapter 6 provides a summary of the important aspects of the plan.



    1. Incorporation of Targets and Indicators into the NBSAP

The overall objective of The Bahamas’ NBSAP is to provide an overview of the role of biodiversity plays in the social and economic well being of the Nation, and to recommend the steps that need to be taken to ensure that biodiversity is conserved as economic development continues. These objectives were generally in line with the goals of the convention on biological diversity. Table 2.1 and 2.2 provide an indication of where global goals and targets adopted under the Convention are linked to the objectives of the NBSAP. No indicators have been incorporated into the NBSAP.

    1. Implementation of the NBSAP

The Bahamas Environment Science and Technology (BEST) Commission is the main agency responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the achievements of the NBSAP. Assistance was to be provided by The Office of The Prime Minister for the planning of a national parks and protected areas system and from the Department of Agriculture for the improvement of the Botanical Gardens to enhance its capacity for ex situ conservation. In July 2008, The Ministry of Environment was created to amalgamate the majority of the agencies responsible for the environment. As a result the responsibility for the Botanical Gardens was shifted from the Department of Agriculture to the Ministry of the Environment.

Table 2.1 gives a summary of the progress made to date on each of the nine priority actions and Table 2.2 gives a summary of the progress made on the recommendations in the NBSAP.



Table 2.1: Summary of Progress made on the priority actions outlined in The Bahamas NBSAP

Strategic Action

Objectives

Activities

Progress

(scale 0-5)

Further Information

1. Establishment of The Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission as a legal entity.

(Goal 1 – 11)




 To establish The Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission

as a legal entity charged with the coordination of environmental protection in

The Bahamas.
 To determine the staffing needs of the Commission to enable it to carry out its mandate responsibilities.
 To ensure, through a Cabinet Decision, that Government Departments are fully supportive of the work of the Commission, and that they contribute to its work through the assignment of staff as required.


 A review of current national environmental policies and the drafting of new policies where necessary, including an overall Sustainable Development Policy for The Bahamas.
 A review of existing information management systems for environmental matters, with recommendations for the hardware and software needed, and the framework for the improvement of the system.
 Design of interim Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) guidelines and procedures.
 A review of the staffing requirements of the BEST Commission to enable it to fulfill its mandate, with draft job descriptions for environmental specialists and project officers.
 An institutional assessment of the BEST Commission and of other agencies involved in environmental management.
 Refinement of Environmental Impact Assessment guidelines and procedures, their review by private and public sector entities, and their adoption.
 The development of a long-term financial plan for the Commission.
 Preparation of a quality control programme for the Commission and other agencies with environmental responsibilities.

2

The BEST Commission was established, but not as a legal entity. It provides environmental advice to the Government of The Bahamas as needed. The Commission does serve in the coordination of environmental protection in The Bahamas, but has no regulatory powers. The Ministry of Environment was established incorporating all of the government agencies that are responsible for the environment.
Partially complete. A review was done in 2005 resulting in a National Energy Policy, National Environmental Management Plan, but no Sustainable Development Policy was formulated.
This has begun for Protected Areas (PA) but only initially. No Knowledge of it being done for other areas.
Insufficient resources allocated for maintenance of information management system. The BEST Commission has a high turnover of staff.

EIA guidelines have been developed as well as procedures but they are not legally enforceable and therefore applied objectively.

This has been done but no action taken to implement or address staff needs or job descriptions.

Undertaken in the NCSA project in 2005.


Proposals made but not acted on by decision makers.

No real tracking plan for measures of success.


2. Establishment of the National Biodiversity Task Force and Preparation for National Consultative Process.

(Goal 1-11)



To establish a multidisciplinary National Biodiversity Task Force of

Professionals from relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies, with adequate support.


 To prepare for, and to conduct, the National Consultative Process.
 To compile, based on the outputs of the National Consultative Process, a detailed Action Plan, focused on species and ecosystems.

 Appointment of adequate qualified staff to the Commission, with support staff and facilities. One or more of these appointments may have been made under Action One.
 Appointment of consultants to guide the Task Force on communications, on the preparation of materials, on the format of the consultations, and the process of consultation.


3

Adequately qualified persons are on the National Biodiversity Committee. Support staff and facilities to assist them are lacking.

Work has been done on invasive alien species, but no other biodiversity issue. Invasive species consultative process resulted in development of the National Invasive Species Strategy (NISS).



3. The National Consultative Process.

(Goal 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9)



 To create an awareness among citizens and residents of The Bahamas of the

value of biodiversity to the economy and to societal well-being, and of their individual and collective responsibilities under the Convention on Biological Diversity.


 To integrate and involve local communities and stakeholders in the planning process and in the implementation of Action Plan Activities at the species and ecosystem levels.


Development, by the Coordinating Group, of a structured public awareness and education campaign: this will require media consultants.
Preparation and production of materials for the above. This requires media consultants.
 Preparation and production of teaching materials for primary and secondary schools: the Department of Education to the lead agency.
 The preparation of materials for the National Consultative Process in communities throughout The Bahamas.
 The conduct of the National Consultations, and analysis and collation of the outputs as the basis for an Action Plan.

1

Education campaigns have been done on a limited basis by BEST’s staff and Committee members. E.g. Million Tree Campaign, Coastal Awareness, Invasive Species

Materials prepared specific to Invasive alien species (IAS).


Some Committee members have been involved in Curriculum Development with the Department of Education.

Done for IAS

Done for IAS and development of National Invasive Species Strategy (NISS)



4. Implementation of the Recommendations of the Biodiversity Data Management Project.

(Goal 1, 2, 3)



To operationalize The Bahamas National Biodiversity Management Project (BDM),

according to the proposed plan of action, by:

 Making the bibliographic database and the metadatabase (which are already extant as outputs of the completed BDM Project) availableon-line.
 Producing the bibliographic database and metadatabase on CD-ROMs.
 Effectively managing and up-dating these databases on a continuing basis.


 Creation of a Home Page on the World Wide Web.
 Procurement of the necessary computer equipment to provide an on-line service and of equipment to produce CD-ROMs.
 Appointment of an Information Manager to manage and update the bibliographic and metadatabases.
 Appointment of data managers within partner agencies to liaise with the

Information Manager.




1

Implementation was done after the BDM project was completed and then it fell by the wayside. Under the Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) activities, another push was made to make these things happen, but there is no consistency or dedicated persons within agencies for information management. A project developing a PA database is almost complete (Oct 2010) and BNT and BEST have committed to manage it.

5. Preparation of Bioregional Guidelines, Position Papers and Policy Statements.

(Goal 1, 2, 3)



 To prepare statements on bioregions, on major ecosystems, and on critical species in The Bahamas.
 To prepare statements on the role of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors in conservation biodiversity.
 To prepare guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).

 Preparation of outlines of statements: a consultant will be required.
 Appointment of lead authors for bioregions, ecosystems and groups of ecosystems, and selecting of collaborating and contributing authors.
 Publication of statements





This has not been done yet and it would be good to complete this through the NBSAP review process. There was work done through an Ecological Gap Assessment, but more needs to be done.

Biodiversity issues are addressed in a limited way in the current EIA guidelines. EIA’s are now required under the Planning and Subdivision Bill, 2010, which came into force January 2011.



6. Planning for a System of National Parks.

(Goal 1, 2, 3, 4)




 To expand the system of National Parks to include representative areas of ecosystems and habitats that are either unique to The Bahamas, or threatened, and not presently represented.
 To prepare management plans for all proposed National parks, including projected budgets.
 To use where appropriate other legal instruments to provide protection to species or ecosystems.
 To strengthen legislation for The Bahamas National Trust to more effectively

protect parks and protected areas


 To strengthen institutional capabilities of The Bahamas National Trust to meet responsibilities with existing and expanded parks and protected areas.

 Review and updating of existing documents and information on proposed

National Parks with additions as appropriate.


 Review existing wild bird reserves with a view to amending and the designation of new reserves.
 Designate some or all existing wild bird reserves as protected areas to provide protection for the habitat.


3

Much expansion of the national parks has occurred and concrete action is being taken to create new National Parks/Marine Reserves.

No action has been taken to review the existing wild bird reserves.

Management plans exist for the Exuma Land & Sea Park, South Berry Islands Marine Reserve and the West Side National Park. Many more are needed.

The BNT Act, Conservation and Physical Landscape Act, Forestry Act, Subdivision & Planning Act, Wild Birds and Wild Animals Act, Fisheries Legislation and 5 Year Plan, Marine Mammals Protection Act, etc. See Table 3.6 and 3.7.


Amendments have been submitted for the BNT legislation for approval from the Government of The Bahamas (GOB). It has been tabled in the house and has to go to the Senate for final approval. Some of the amendments include providing BNT with the powers to give general advice on policies for conservation and biodiversity issues, strengthening of protection of national parks from squatters and encroachment and increased protective powers for artifacts, submarine areas, flora and fauna in The Bahamas.
BNT’s capabilities (manpower, technical skills and equipment) have grown tremendously over the years. Of course, more resources and manpower are needed to address capacity needs.

7. Development of Monitoring and Evaluation Methodologies.

(Goal 1, 2, 3, 4, 8)




 To develop scientifically sound methods for monitoring and evaluating ecosystems and species abundance.
 To develop methods of data handling, storage and transfer to be used by all agencies working in the area of biodiversity.
 To train Bahamians in monitoring and evaluation.

 Review of methods of monitoring the status of species and ecosystems.
 Field testing of monitoring methods and of data collection and storage procedures.
 Training of Bahamians.


2

Currently, underway, particularly for PA’s. Long term monitoring system is being developed under the PA’s plans. No particular agency is currently identified for the responsibility of the long term monitoring. This is to be determined.
Monitoring methods have been proposed through the Long term monitoring system being developed for PA’s.

Bahamians are being trained through programs like the Kirtland Warbler scholarship programme, Bahamas Environmental Steward Scholars Programme (BESS) coordinated by BREEF.




8. Protection or Rehabilitation of Threatened or Degraded Ecosystems and of Threatened Species.

(Goal 3, 4, 6, 7, 8)



 To identify specific ecosystems and species that are threatened or already degraded.
 To determine the possibility of rehabilitating or restoring such ecosystems location by location.
 To prepare develop methodologies and action plans for the rehabilitation and

restoration of specific high priority sites and species.


 To protect designated species of plant or animal, presently considered threatened, from further declines in number.
 To increase numbers by enhancing populations in existing habitats, or by stocking new habitats.

 Literature searches on restorative methodologies for threatened or degraded ecosystems, and evaluation of appropriate methodologies.
 Literature searches for experiences with the protection and rehabilitation of the same species or related species, to those threatened in The Bahamas.
 Enactment of legislation and enforcement or regulations to prevent further destruction of degradation of threatened or endangered ecosystems and species.


2

Specific ecosystems and species that are threatened are undertaken by various agencies such as local NGO’s and international researchers. This has not been done in a coordinated way in the country. There is a need for a comprehensive national plan.
Majority of the work has been targeted on wetland restoration, by individual interest groups such as Wetland Care and Craig Layman.

Green Sweep Manual has been completed for IAS removal to restore native vegetation areas, like coppice and pine forests.


Regulations have been established to protect marine mammals, marine turtles, spiny lobster, hutia, iguanas, flamingos and the Bahama Parrot such as the Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Regulations, the Marine Mammals Protection Act, etc.

The Inagua National Park was established to help increase the Flamingo population.


9. Improvement of the Botanical Gardens to Enhance its Capacity for Ex Situ Conservation.

(Goal 3)


 To establish and maintain living collections of the Bahamian flora, especially of endemic and rare species.
 To establish a seed bank for plant species to include landraces of crops from all agro-ecological zones of The Bahamas.
 To develop the capacity to propagate and maintain by tissue culture, those species which do not produce seed or that have recalcitrant seed.
 In collaboration with The Bahamas National Trust and the College of The Bahamas, to continue to add to the National Herbarium which is located in the

Botanical Gardens



 The collection and maintenance of Bahamian plants not presently represented in the Botanical Gardens.
 The installation and management of (cold) seed storage facilities.
 The establishment of a tissue culture laboratory, and the training of staff


1

The Botanical Gardens was established to undertake in-situ and ex-situ conservation. It has not operated effectively for the last ten or more years.

Department of Agriculture undertakes seed collections for limited plant species. There are no plans to expand this programme due to lack of resources and manpower.



 Activities attempted  Activities not attempted Scale: 0 Not Achieved – 5 Achieved
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