The Tribune

Small island states such as The Bahamas are especially vulnerable to invasions by non-native or alien species.

An “invasive species” is defined as a species that is a non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

Eric Carey, the executive director of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) said: “Invasive species are especially concerning to small island nations. Next to climate change issues, invasives represent perhaps the most critical threat to island economies and their sustainable development.”

The introduction of new species to areas has been going on for a long time. European settlers brought hundreds of plants to North America and the West Indies from their homelands to use as foods and medicine, as well as ornamental purposes.

Most introduced species do not cause harm, and in fact, scientific studies indicate only about 15% of introduced species go on to become invasive or harmful.

While islands make up less than 5% of the earth of the earth’s land area, they are home to an estimated 20% of all bird, reptile and plant species.

Islands contain 40% of all critically endangered species, and extinction rates are disproportionately greater on islands.

Nearly a quarter of the world’s plant species exist only on islands and 80% of all known extinctions have occurred on islands.

In March of 2003, the BEST Commission completed an Invasive Species Strategy for the Bahamas. In this strategy they listed the following species for eradication:

• Casuarina glauca

• Suckering Australian Pine

• Melaleuca quinquenervia

• Melaleuca (paper bark)

• Mucuna pruriens

• Monkey Tamarind

• Scaevola taccada

• White Inkberry (Hawaiian Seagrape)

• Schinus terebinthifolius

• Brazilian Pepper, Bahamian Holly

• Molothrus bonariensis

• Shiny Cow Bird

• Procyon lotor

• Raccoon (for all islands except New Providence and Grand Bahama to prevent introductions to other islands).

The greatest concern in assessing the above list is that there is no mention of Red Lionfish Pterois volitans or the Cane Toad Rhinella marinus - two new invasive species introduced since 2003.

Red Lionfish are extremely invasive, producing up to 30,000 offspring every four days with no known predators and a voracious appetite it is a serious threat to Bahamian fisheries especially Nassau grouper.

While the Cane Toad appears to be localised in the Lyford Cay and western part of New Providence it also reproduces rapidly producing 30,000 eggs in a single spawn and may spawn twice a year.

The Cane Toad produces bufo toxim, a poison that can cause convulsions, salivation, skin irritation, temporary blindness and even death if ingested. The toad is poisonous at all life stages and eats whatever it can fit in its mouth from pet food, to native animals.

The Bahamas Invasive Species Strategy recommends that The Bahamas seek to establish a comprehensive infrastructure for the management of invasive alien species in compliance with its obligations under the Convention of Biodiversity.

Increasing globalisation of markets and rise in global trade, transport, travel and tourism mean that more and more species from all parts of the world are moving to new habitats, enhancing the possibility of invasion in all ecosystems all over the world. The recent introductions of Red Lionfish and the Cane Toad give testament to this concern.

Being aware of invasive species in The Bahamas and taking steps to eradicate them from your neighborhood and garden are an important step to controlling these unwelcome guests in our country. Additionally, learning plant species that are listed for control or eradication such as Water Hyacinth, Wedelia (Carpet Daisy) and Hawaiian Seagrape and avoiding their purchase are all steps that assist in removing Invasive Plant Species from our landscape.

A meaningful prevention and control strategy which will protect native biodiversity is culturally and economically important for health and human safety, access to overseas markets (countries could use the presence of a potentially damaging invasive species in the Bahamas as a reason to erect trade barriers against Bahamian seafood and produce exports) and to create a sense of security and to protect our cultural identity.

Concerned citizens need to advocate for strong management of invasive species with an established regime for dealing with newly discovered species in swift and efficient manner.

The recent concern regarding Cane Toads is one example of the need for a management plan for invasive species. Although the BNT, Lyford Cay Property Owners and the Ministry of the Environment implemented a three-month control initiative, no long term strategy has been put in place to deal with this new invasive for New Providence. While somewhat contained in a specific geographic area, it will only be a matter of time before it spreads to all of New Providence.

The Bahamas National Trust has long supported strong action for the management of invasive species. The BNT actively removes invasive plant species: Casuarina, Brazilian Pepper and Melaleuca from National Parks and has actively participated in the recent MITIASIC project with the Department of Marine Resources to implement Lionfish removal at sites in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and the Berry Islands. The trust also recently partnered with Island Conservation to remove invasive mice from Allen’s Cay, Exuma providing good conservation management for a population of Audubon Shearwaters that were being impacted by the introduction of mice to that island.

On April 26, in recognition of Earth Day, the BNT and partners will join together to create awareness of invasive species that threaten Bahamian ecosystems. Volunteers will work to remove invasive cattails and casuarina from Harrold and Wilson Ponds National Park, which was created in 2002. This interior wetland is important for both resident and migratory bird species as well as being an important mechanism for flood control, however the ponds are heavily intruded with cattails and the surrounding park land is heavily invaded with Casuarina.

The Earth Day Activity will take place from 8am-2pm at the park and anyone interested in participating should contact the BNT at 393–1317 or email bnt@bnt.bS.

• For more information about invasive species, visit www.bnt.bs.