AERIAL photographs of the controversial dredging operation in Bimini over the weekend show a large plume of silt spilling beyond the protective curtains and spreading over the surrounding marine habitat.
Environmentalists return to the Court of Appeal today for a decision on their injunction to stop Resorts World Bimini from continuing with their development of a cruise ship terminal, 1,000-foot pier and man-made island.
Earthcare, the environmental group, said yesterday that the pictures provide “indisputable evidence with respect to the irreparable damage already done to the seabed area in just three days of dredging”. This siltation, they say, will choke all of the surrounding benthic organisms including the extremely valuable endangered coral reefs.
The plume of silt is seen from above spreading south of the projected pier site and the turbidity caused will impact fishing and diving sites in both directions, experts said. The north current, influenced by the Gulf Stream, is picking up the silt and affecting pelagic fish and prime deep drop areas off the north coast of Bimini.
A decision on the injunction, sought by the environmental group Bimini Blue Coalition, is expected to made this afternoon. On Friday Justice Anita Allen noted that dredging activities – which started on Thursday – could continue over the weekend.
The Coalition has asked for dredging to be stopped amid concerns that Resorts World Bimini developers have not complied with a Court undertaking they had given. While the proposed construction has drawn fierce criticism from environmentalists government officials say the project will result in profound economic benefits for the country.
Comments
B_I_D___ 10 years, 5 months ago
Absolutely horrifying!!
Thinker 10 years, 5 months ago
Government looking out for Bahamians. Joke of the century.
Thinker 10 years, 5 months ago
You know some people in power were paid quite well to agree to something like this.
jackbnimble 10 years, 5 months ago
Yeah. You ain't lie 'bout that!
Guy 10 years, 5 months ago
Is there even any recourse? The courts seem reluctant to get involved. Wonder if they are being paid too....
BiminiHomeowner 10 years, 5 months ago
Disgusting
jt 10 years, 5 months ago
Thanks Judge Allen! Job well done. Just another sane, progressive, uncorrupt day here in the Bahamas.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 5 months ago
Are we going to wreck our environment for cruise ships and a mess of porridge???????????? SMH
Bimini is too small and fragile to be subject to this environmental abuse..........is this Obie's folly??
B_I_D___ 10 years, 5 months ago
Shock waves are rippling around the international dive community as we speak, several major global dive industries and websites are all talking about the horror of what is happening in Bimini and how The Bahamas is destroying some of the top diving spots in the world. The fallout from this is going to be immense.
B_I_D___ 10 years, 5 months ago
http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2014/05/19…
B_I_D___ 10 years, 5 months ago
http://www.thehulltruth.com/florida-geo…
rosiepi 10 years, 5 months ago
Comes down to how many dollars and who gets them: how much $$ does a diver bring to Binini as opposed to a gambler/ tourist coming in on RWB's own ship and spending $$ at their facilities? $$ to RWB = more $$ to gov't and whomever eats at either or both of those troughs. Worst part is RWB's venture has been predicted in studies to fail which nobody cared about because the gov't have already been paid off to look the other way.
The environment and the people who make their living from it are unfortunately always on the bottom end of this equation, no pun intended -slit wise.
B_I_D___ 10 years, 5 months ago
An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied, “only a little while. The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?” The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.” The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.” The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?” To which the American replied, “15 – 20 years.” “But what then?” Asked the Mexican. The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!” “Millions – then what?” The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
Purcell 10 years, 5 months ago
When will someone steal a boat and ram that fucking dredger?
environmentalist 10 years, 5 months ago
Please someone drop a bomb on that dredger...we have one of the most f'ed up and corrupt politicians, government, judges who are taking home fat ass payola to destroy one of the world's most pristine places on earth. The Bahamas is an embarrassment to the rest of world. By the way when will the Bahamian people stand up and protest...we have to be just as stupid as the politicians to allow them to destroy nature in this manner.
B_I_D___ 10 years, 5 months ago
Anyone have a spare torpedo or two?
thomas 10 years, 5 months ago
This picture shows the silt headed to the portion of the island where Biminites live and away from the resort...hmmm
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