Bio-diversity

The primary purpose of the Elizabeth Harbour Mooring Buoy Project is to protect ecologically important seagrass and coral reef habitats that have become popular locations for snorkeling and diving in Elizabeth Harbour, Great Exuma. The communities of Great Exuma and especially George Town, thrive on the tourism draw of the harbor, but as use of the harbor has increased over the last two decades, certain activities have had an impact. This project will greatly reduce damage to seagrass and coral reefs caused by repetitive anchoring by small private boats, rental boats, and tour boats by providing moorings for their use free-of-charge at the most visited locations. The project will engage the local community through a mooring sponsorship program to ensure long-term maintenance of the buoys, and raise awareness about the importance of biologically diverse seagrass and coral reefs communities to a healthy harbour ecosystem in local and tourist communities through the creation of educational materials. The project aims to place 20 day use moorings in Elizabeth Harbour. The moorings will be installed in relatively shallow water, less than 30ft, to accommodate small boats. Most of the moorings will be placed in the eastern end of the harbor, inside the proposed boundaries of the Moriah Harbour Cay National Park.

Bahamas