Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

Established in 1958, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park marine protected area is located in the Bahamas. Part of the Atlantic Ocean, the zone stretches 176 miles long and is home to a number of diverse species and the second-largest coral barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The MPA was created in hopes to “protect the native flora and fauna, natural communities, and ecosystems that represent the biodiversity of the Park.” (Blue Parks, 2020). Created and funded by the Bahamian National Trust, this was the first marine protected area in the Caribbean. Proven to be highly successful, it set off a chain reaction of more marine protected areas being established not only in the Bahamas, but across the globe. “The Exuma Cays Park under consideration should be regarded as only the beginning of a conservation movement that is vital to The Bahamas as a whole. It will also be the beginning of a new concept, integrated land-and-sea conservation, in which The Bahamas will take the lead and show the way to other nations throughout the world.” (Exuma Cays Park Project Report, 1961). This MPA protects mangrove forests, seagrasses, coral reefs, sea turtles, endangered fish species and more. It is classified as a Fully/Highly Protected level, restricting extraneous activities and minimizing the impact to the environment. Activities such as fishing and shelling are prohibited, but boating, snorkeling and other recreational activities are. The main challenge that this marine protected area faces is enforcing the no-take regulations all while providing a hotspot destination for tourists.

Comments: This was a paper I wrote for my environmental science class on Marine Protected Areas. This was a neat assignment for me because I have visited Exuma and have seen its beauty and glory up close and can understand why it is a MPA.