Abstract

The west side of Andros is comprised of considerable carbonate mud composition with many small islands and estuaries that provide important nursery and foraging habitat for commercially valuable species (e.g., snapper, spiny lobster, tarpon, and bonefish). Since Andros has a small population with extensive uninhabitable areas, threats to the island’s biodiversity are considerably low. However, many that frequently use the marine environment have noticed signs of deterioration over the years. Because the west side has limited methods of active regulation and protection, impacts associated with aquaculture, development, and sand/mud mining, plus unregulated sport fishing remain major threats. The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with the Bahamas National Trust and local partners, is working to promote the expansion of the existing protected area on the West side of Andros to protect critical nursery and feeding habitats from future threat. The two main activities conducted during this project were a scientifically based rapid ecological assessment (REA) and a stakeholders’ survey analysis. The REA’s primary goal was to identify critical areas for conservation. The stakeholder analysis however was conducted to help characterize historic and current resource use of the area; identify potential conflicts with future protected area boundaries and; determine effective management regulations that are accepted by most stakeholders. Data collected through the REA and stakeholder analysis will provide the basis of a joint proposal to The Bahamas Government requesting the formal expansion of the existing West side of Andros protected area, an education/ outreach campaign and a management plan for the area.

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