EDITOR, The Tribune.

I would like to add my voice to those of Joseph Darville, Claude B Hanna and Audry Oswell over the appalling decision by our Prime Minister to permit RCI to develop the western end of Paradise Island.

Over the last few decades, bit by bit, one at a time, our beautiful beaches have become off limits to Bahamians. Once upon a time one could go to Cabbage Beach or any other beach on Paradise Island and enjoy a swim and a picnic lunch. Once upon a time one could go over to Rose Island and find a deserted beach and enjoy a swim and a picnic lunch. Once upon a time one could go to Green Cay, Atholl Island, Spruce Cay and many others and enjoy a swim and a picnic lunch. NOT ANY MORE - they have become off limits to us due to tourism development. It is a disgrace that our own land is being taken away from us, one beach at a time. Not to mention the environmental damage that is being inflicted on and in the surrounding ocean.

At one time, shark attacks were virtually unknown – not any more! Did it ever occur to anyone that the proliferation of tourists on an around these cays, and the inevitable food scraps entering the water as a result, is the cause of some of the ghastly shark attacks we have seen in the last few years? With global warming and the rise in sea level we should be doing our utmost to save our beaches and surrounding marine environment, not trashing it!

Please don’t try and make us believe that this will not deter cruise passengers from patronising Bay Street merchants. Those “stay on board” passengers are usually the elderly who enjoy having the ship to themselves for a few hours and certainly will not relish a ferry ride and a day at the beach. Let’s keep The Bahamas for Bahamians with visitors welcome.

My two cents worth.

JOANNA ROBERTSON

Nassau,

March 13, 2023.