The Tribune

TRIBUNE readers are supporting the group of Bimini residents who are fighting to protect their environmental heritage.

The Biminites, who lost a battle five years ago to halt the development of a mega-resort and marina they feared would damage their famed waters and change their lives forever, came out in full fighting force this week to say enough is enough – more than 1,300 signed a petition to stop construction of a 1,000-foot dock to serve cruise ships delivering passengers to Genting’s Resorts World Bimini Bay casino due to open soon.

The petition, drafted and circulated on www.change.org was organised by the environmental organisation called Bimini Blue Coalition. It demands that the government require a new plan with a gentler footprint.

Responding to the Monday’s story on tribune242.com, one Bimini homeowner said: “Thanks to The Tribune for covering this issue. Destroying or damaging Bimini’s reefs, beaches, and waters for the sake of ONE boat is a STUPID idea. Demand a smarter plan.”

Others agreed with him, but were not optimistic about the chances of success.

‘ThisIsOurs’ wrote: “Who will listen? (Minister of Tourism) Obie Wilchombe has yet to tell us his findings on the developers of Blackbeard’s cay.

“A court had to tell them that Nygard’s illegal activity was illegal. In the words of that great poet Michael Jackson, All I wanna say is, they don’t really care about us.”

‘BiminiARC’ said: “Thanks to Bimini Blue Coalition and The Tribune for covering this. Its time the Bahamas government saw the value in its natural resources instead of the $$$ waived under their noses from big casino groups and cruise ships.

“What we need is eco-projects and the preservation of what we have here before its too late. More education in marine conservation and respect for the environment.

“Where is the infrastructure that was promised to the island of Bimini before the resort was built from the previous developer? As it is the island does not have the resources to adequately cope with the amount of tourism on busy holiday weekends, lack of water pressure, raw sewage, et cetera, so how does it hope to cope with thousands more descending on this precious island? The three sisters is a pristine marine habitat, lets keep it that way please!”

The petition against the dock says: “The current proposal being put forth by Genting’s newly acquired Resorts World Bimini Bay calls for the creation of a massive cruise ship terminal off the western shore of North Bimini. These plans include a 1,000 foot dock extending west off North Bimini’s beaches, the creation of a large man-made island offshore, and an enormous amount of related dredging.

“All of this is being proposed in areas of densely populated coral reef habitat. The damage to the surrounding reefs will be catastrophic and the landscape of Bimini will be forever transformed.”

The petition calls on Prime Minister Perry Christie to halt the construction and require alternate plans, claiming that Bimini’s future “depends upon keeping our waters clean, our reefs healthy, and our fisheries thriving.”

“Any new proposals must not adversely impact Bimini’s reefs or marine ecosystems, must not negatively affect the North Bimini Marine Reserve, must not negatively impact the quality of life or property value of North Bimini’s residents and homeowners, and should take into consideration the ideas the ideas and concerns of Bimini’s residents, stakeholders and homeowners,” it says.