Bahamas - Country Profile

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Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

An estimate suggests that only 5% of all species present on this Caribbean island have been reported to date. However, many aspects of Bahamian biodiversity have been studied and are noteworthy. The Lucayan Caverns on Grand Bahama, reputably one of the largest submarine cavern systems in the world, are known to possess a number of endemic species. Research on some of the blue holes of Andros on a species of mosquito fish found only in the Bahamas shows that populations between blue holes differ greatly in body size and sex ratios. The lakes of San Salvador contain four species of sympatric pupfish (Cyprinodon), a situation known to exist in only one other place in the world. Insularity and an extensive shelf with productive coral reefs and other habitats, together with a large area of coastal wetlands (especially mangrove forests) contribute to the abundance and diversity of fish. In this regard, the Bahamas has greater abundance and diversity than the entire insular Caribbean. The Bahamian Hutia, the Fish Hawk, the Inagua and the Cat Island Turtles, the Bimini Boa, and the West Indian Flamingo constitute some of the rare species present on the island.

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

25 Protected Areas

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The action plan comprises nine major actions: establishment of the Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission as a legal entity; establishment of the National Biodiversity Task Force and preparation for National Consultative Process; the National Consultative Process; implementation of the recommendations of the Biodiversity Data Management Project; preparation of bioregional guidelines, position papers and policy statement; planning for a system of national parks and protected areas; protection and rehabilitation of threatened or degraded ecosystems and of threatened species; and improvement of the Botanic Gardens to enhance its capacity for ex-situ conservation.

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

The government has an agreement, which states that it will work towards conserving at least 10% of every major habitat but no definitive target or policy has been established. The Bahamas has committed to conserving 20% of the productive marine habitat through the development of the network of marine protected areas and expansion of national parks. Also, the Wildlife Conservation and Trade Act against international trade of endangered species has been enacted and is currently being implemented. Regarding invasive species, a National Invasive Species Strategy has been developed and approved by Cabinet in 2003. Some regulations have been established for the protection of species and the restoration of ecosystems like wetlands. During the first quarter of 2007, the government has adopted a National Environmental Policy, a National Environmental Management and Action Plan, and a National Wetland Policy.

Initiatives in Protected Areas

In 2002, the Government doubled the national park system (25 protected sites now exist). The Bahamas are committed to create a representative and effectively managed network of protected areas by 2010 on land and 2012 in the marine environment that will protect, in total, 10% of the territory.

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

Regarding capacity building for indigenous and local communities, the Third National Report states that public consultations to raise awareness have been held and that the Cultural Commission is developing programmes. The document also indicates that the Government is cataloguing and collaborating with local communities concerning the local and national natural environments that are important to the identification and use of natural resources by local communities.

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