The permit proffered to the Privy Council last Friday, dated May 22nd, was for 874,000 cubic yards to be dredged, almost four times what was specified in the original sketchily documented applications. The EIA, nor the EMP on file with BEST reflect this. The original plan called for 220,00 cubic yards of dredging solely to fill the man made ferry terminal island. That was bad enough. Now all of a sudden they have been granted approval to dredge four times as much material, and put much of it in a completely different location, for an as yet undisclosed purpose? With no new application, no new EIA or EMP. The rule of law and due process has been completely ignored. If this is allowed to stand, there is no hope - every island in this beautiful nation is at risk.

Wrong. This opponent is someone who understands that with every bit of ocean habitat we destroy, we take away something that can never be replaced. I don't care about FNM or PLP, have never seen the difference between the two anyway as the FNM are the ones that allowed Capo to decimate the first set of mangroves in Bimini. I'm not a fisherman from the U.S., in fact I don't fish or eat fish at all. And I'm not a foreign 2nd home owner.

The ocean is not anyone's to destroy or exploit. Period. Every part of it that is destroyed has far reaching implications and therefore what is happening in Bimini is everyone's business. When there are no more fish or conch or crawfish to be had around Bimini then perhaps more people will realize what they sacrificed by their silence. And then what will they be offered? Menial jobs at minimum wage?

The problem is that not enough people care about or respect what sustains us all and what we should be protecting, not destroying.

In this case, the grassroots effort by Protect Clifton Bay, Save the Bays, Bimini Blue Coalition, earthcare and others have made more of the public aware of this development. However if you do an internet search for Exuma Sea Park dredging or Baker's Bay, for example, you will find plenty of articles and letters of protest. The Physical Planning and Subdivision Act, among other legislation, was not yet enacted back then so the legal framework and atmosphere for challenges was perhaps not as feasible. There was a Judicial Review launched against Baker's Bay, which ultimately failed. It seems that more people are realizing at last that the very marine resources that make this beautiful island nation so unique and valuable are being willfully sold to and destroyed by the highest bidders and will not profit the nation in the long run. Better late than never, and - why not now?

The attempts to stop previous destructive developments gained very little public interest or support. Hopefully this will turn out differently but that will only happen if enough people finally stand up and say ENOUGH.

Just like Ginn did in West End right?

In the face of clear photographic evidence of UN-mitigated environmental destruction, the court declined to act, and therefore allowed the destruction to continue. The EIA and the EMP and the questionable permits or lack thereof, are obviously worthless pieces of paper to be wantonly disregarded by even the highest court in the land.

Can't wait to hear the reasons. It will be hard to disavow that under-the-table deals were obviously made all round. My faith in the integrity of our judiciary is severely diminished. No rational person could view those photos of devastation and believe that the environment was being protected per the EIA and EMP. Which were obviously never meant to be taken seriously.

What kind of government would allow this level of destruction of their natural resources and go to court to defend their support of same???

Cry shame on everyone involved in this destroying of Bimini. When the fish, conch, crawfish are no more, and the tourists stop coming because our pristine waters are no longer pristine...will they then realize the depth of the crimes against nature they have committed?

This is not just a crime against Bimini. This impacts the entire Bahamas. Bimini today. West End, Guana Cay, and others yesterday. Who will be next? If this is allowed, then the rest of the Bahamas is fair game.

The silence from those who "approved" this absolute desecration and abomination is deafening.

This Bimini project is already destroying the natural beauty and environment of Bimini. The fisheries will be decimated and destroyed in short order. The EIA report was quite clear on this. Will Bahamians continue to allow their heritage to be bought by foreign investors intent on destroying our environment for profit, or will we ever put our foot down and demand a stop to this. When the reefs and the fisheries are no more, we will only have ourselves to blame. If we remained silent and allowed outside interests to pillage and plunder for their own profit with the sanction of our elected government officials. Astounding and so very sad this continues to happen all over the Bahamas.

At some point the Bahamas must decide whether we want to be viewed as a compassionate progressive nation, or whether we are content to remain just one of many countries that exploit marine mammals for profit and entertainment.

Not to mention the many other animals who also deserve protection and currently do not receive it. Namely the surrey horses in Nassau, dogs and cats everywhere, turtles and sharks who despite the bans, continue to be killed with impunity as Fisheries does not patrol or enforce.

Laws without adequate enforcement are meaningless.

These "environmental people" are trying to ensure that this country is not completely decimated by reckless development, and does not continue exploiting marine or any other animals...all for those babies who hopefully will be able to enjoy a pristine ecologically responsible Bahamas when they grow up. To say anyone other than babies' parents should pay for their care and supplies is ludicrous. No one is against sustainable, well thought out development. Providing jobs does not have to come at the expense of the environment, and it surely should not subvert the law.

Talk is cheap. Action is needed - now - before any more horses suffer one more minute. Talking has not accomplished one thing in the last 20? 40? years. Shut it down and come up with a humane non-animal alternative. Or, if this is serious and not just more talk, shut it down while the conditions are being improved and a proper stable with a turnout is built, and the horses can be properly evaluated and treated in the meantime preferably by a vet with actual equine expertise and experience. Summer is coming, perfect time to do this.