EDITOR, The Tribune.

AS a small business owner born and raised in the Exuma Cays, I write to express my growing concern over the proposed developments in the Exuma Cays. The Exuma Cays are known for beauty and hospitable communities and should be at the front of the government’s push for more eco-tourism, but I am worried that new developments will cost us more than they can contribute to the local economy here?

I do not necessarily oppose these developments but I am worried about how they are being approved. We all know that the Exuma Cays have amazing views and clear waters but these things also represent the birthright of my community. It supports local businesses, including my own, and the traditional way of life for Bahamians that you can’t find in the more developed islands like New Providence anymore. These new developments threaten what makes the Exuma Cays special with things like over the water bungalows, big marinas, and almost no public consultation.

And while local entrepreneurs struggle to find support and funding to keep their businesses going, we are hearing that new developers are getting crown land from the government to use. I am honestly worried that the government is prioritizing short-term investment numbers over long term sustainability for our communities.

There is also what these projects mean for the local environment. Some of these developers are doing things like dredging the seabed for their marina. I don’t think people understand how this could threaten the livelihoods of us who rely on things like coral reefs and fishing. By the way, the Exuma Cays are in a national park. What happened to protecting this environment?

The truth is that no one is really talking to the community about these developments. Where our community is small and we are all very close to each other, any development coming to the Exuma Cays should be a partnership with locals including the voices and concerns of those it will be affected directly.

For example, there is a big problem with the over the water bungalows one project is trying to build. Besides the hurricane risks, how could over the water bungalows get approval to be built in a high traffic channel where local tour operators and fishermen use their boats? It is clear that there was no consultation with the people who use this waterway every day, and depend on it to sustain their businesses. For locals to maintain their safety it could mean that we have to find new routes, and that can add to already high fuel costs. When decisions are made behind closed doors with little regard for the input of local residents and business owners like myself, then the result is a development that is out of touch and out of place.

I call upon the developers behind these projects and our governmental representatives to really think about the kinds of developments they are considering for the Exuma Cays. We deserve to be part of the conversations and government agencies need to do their jobs to defend our local environment. If local businesses could get the same support as some of these foreign developers, imagine how better off we would all be.

Like I said, I am not opposed to development and there are some positive ones I support but we need to make sure these developments serve not just the interests of a few foreigners but our entire community. Let us choose sustainable progress so that the Exuma Cays can remain a treasure to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike for generations to come.

CONCERNED CITIZEN

Exuma Cays,

March 10, 2024.