Abstract

In the Bahamas the ecological importance of mangrove is often neglected. Though mangroves are the natural pro-tection of the coastal habitat, they are often dredged for marinas or filled to create hard land for further development. Man-grove habitats are also often dumping grounds. Prior to its establishment as a national park managed by the Bahamas National Trust, the area that became the Bonefish Pond National Park (BPNP) was used in precisely this way. This coastal wetland system is situated on the southern portion of New Providence, the densely populated capital of the Bahamas. It was used as a copper burning site, a dump site for debris, a launching site for boats and for fishing. BPNP is over 1,000 acres of coastal mangrove habitat. It serves as an important nursery habitat for the nearby offshore reefs provid-ing shelter for commercially important fish during their most vulnerable stage of life. Since its establishment as a national park in 2002 a number of restoration projects were conducted in the BPNP to improve its effectiveness as a nursery habi-tat for nearby offshore reefs. These projects have helped return the area to a more pristine condition through improving tidal flows that were previously obstructed, removing invasive plants, increasing suitable fish habitat and increasing education to visitors, neighbouring residents and potential users to the area. These projects have been possible through public, private and community based groups coming together to help increase the management effectiveness of the Park; pre-serving its important ecological services.

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