Sylvia Earle – (c) Kip F. Evans/Mission Blue

By Mavis McRae
The team’s visit to Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park began with checking in at  Park headquarters where the group met Andrew Kriz, Park Administrator and his team.  In an open discussion on the park deck overlooking the blue Bahamian  waters and golden sand of this protected park, Andrew spoke of the natural beauty of the park and the challenges he and his team face enforcing this no-take marine protected area.  “Our biggest challenge is protecting the beauty and natural resources of the park while at the same time providing an inviting experience for the thousands of visitors we have each year.” 

Visitors to the area can find-out more about visiting the park by going to http://www.exumapark.info/. …

By Mavis McRae

Dr. Sylvia Earle (c) Kip F. Evans/Mission Blue

Created in 1958, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park was the first of its kind in the world and is famous for it’s pristine beauty, outstanding anchorages and breathtaking marine environment. Established and maintained by the Bahamas National Trust, it was the first marine fishery reserve to be established in the Caribbean. The  limestone islands of Exuma have been created through a build-up of calcium carbonate from the rise and fall of sea levels, wind and deposits over thousands of years.  The wind and rain that built up the islands over the years have eroded the limestone into pits that surprisingly allow plants to establish roots and thrive. This same erosion has created grottos and caves like Thunderball Grotto, made famous in Hollywood films including ‘Splash’ and ‘Thunderball.’…

By Kip Evans
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(c) Kip F. Evans/Mission Blue

After dragging hundreds of pounds of equipment from the United States we finally arrived in the Bahamas yesterday afternoon.  Looking a bit ragged and feeling a bit beat up from our flights, we were excited to meet with our team near Staniel Cay, but we made a short stop in Nassau first to meet with the Minister of the Environment, The Honorable Kenred Dorsett.  
Team member Eleanor Phillips (The Nature Conservancy) picked us up at the airport and whisked us off to a packed office filled with the Minister, his aids, and members of the Bahamas National Trust; the equivalent of the US National Park Service.  After introductions, Dr. Earle gave a 10 minute talk about the state of the ocean, “The next decade is critical to preserving what’s left of the ocean, we can’t continue to act as if we are not harming the ocean. …