Conservation Plan

At the moment, there is considerable talk of imminent, large-scale development on San Salvador Island. Regardless of when and by whom, eventually it will happen.

In recent years, a number of independent groups have recognized the importance of protecting San Salvador’s unique living jewels. The desire and commitment of the Bahamas National Trust to protect critical habitats on San Salvador Island were expressed as early as 1983 in a document submitted to the Bahamas government. More recently, the Iguana Specialist Group (ISG) of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) held an iguana and seabird workshop on San Salvador Island in November 2000. In the document they produced and submitted to the Bahamas government, they ranked Graham’s Harbor of San Salvador Island as the highest priority site for conservation of the 31 sites considered. 

Now that large-scale development seems imminent, what can be done to put the recommendations of these groups into action? Clearly, the best protection possible would result from establishing a National Park and/or a Marine Reserve. To us, it seems amiss that there is no National Park to protect a critically endangered iguana, the most impressive assemblage of nesting seabirds to be found anywhere in the Bahamas, and a woodpecker that is among the world’s rarest birds.We suggest procuring the following units to establish a new National Park. 

Units for protecting vertebrate species

Graham's Harbor. The highest priority would be protecting Graham’s Harbor, and this seems remarkably simple. All of the cays in Graham’s Harbor are Crown Land. Presently, the only development on the shoreline of Graham’s Harbor is the Gerace Research Center, which utilizes the Harbor and its cays as a natural laboratory for thousands of visiting scientists and students. This unit would protect the largest remaining iguana population (Green Cay), the largest and most diverse seabird colonies (Catto, Gaulin, Green, and White Cays), and the extensive eelgrass beds and coral reefs that serve as important marine nurseries. It would also block construction of a marina in such a sensitive environment. 

Jet Skis in Graham's Harbor

Pigeon Cay area. A second unit comprised of Pigeon Cay and the other small islets nearby (all of which are Crown Land) would protect yet another iguana population and the large colonies of cormorants, gulls, and herons that nest in Great Lake.

Pigeon Creek area. A third unit comprised of Pigeon Creek and the waters surrounding the cays just offshore (Low, Middle, and High Cays) would protect yet another important nursery area. Unfortunately, the cays themselves are privately owned, but the seabirds and iguanas would benefit nevertheless. 

Green's Bay area. A fourth unit comprised of Green’s Bay would protect another major iguana population on Goulding Cay (privately owned), the rocky shoreline that supports shearwaters and tropicbirds (at the peninsulas creating the bay), and the surrounding reefs.

Jake Jones Road area. A fifth unit comprised of forest at the north end of the island is essential to protect the largest remaining population of San Salvador Woodpeckers-one of the rarest birds in the world. More surveys are needed to locate additional areas occupied by the woodpeckers, but this area appears to support the vast majority.

Units for protecting marine and invertebrate species

Select coral reef areas. Many of the more sensitive reefs would be protected within the units described above. However, further deliberation will be necessary as more areas frequented by divers and fishermen will need protection as well.

Storrs Lake area. Several inland lakes support a very primitive, exceedingly rare blue-green algae known as a stromatolite. Fairly common in the fossil record, living specimens are known from only a handful of localities in the world.

Benefits of protected areas

Creating a new National Park on San Salvador Island would benefit far more than just the iguanas, seabirds, and woodpeckers. Tangible benefits would accrue for humans as well as other flora and fauna. However, a National Park will be insufficient to secure the future of these animals. Additional management policies will need to be put in action. San Salvador’s iguanas and seabirds can be saved if Bahamians are willing to take ownership of these unique treasures and the necessary steps to ensure their survival.

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