Bahamian Reefs Hope Spot
With more than 3,000 low-lying islands covering 1,400 square kilometers off the southeastern tip of Florida, the Bahamas are home to a wealth of marine animals and host millions of visitors every year.
The Bahamian reefs boast a profusion of life, including spiny lobsters, sea turtles, dolphins, Queen conch and the threatened Nassau grouper. Bahamian creatures are under threat from overfishing, sewage, garbage, oil spills and ship groundings. Luckily, thanks in large part to the hard work of the Bahamian Government, its partners and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) through the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI), marine protected areas have been popping up all over the Bahamas to maintain healthy biodiversity, provide a carbon sink, generate life-giving oxygen, preserve critical habitat and allow low-impact activities like ecotourism to thrive.
Dr. Sylvia Earle swims with wild pig (c) Kip Evans, Mission Blue
Marine Conservation Institute has recognized the Bahamian Reefs Hope Spot with a Blue Park Award. Click here to learn more about the program.
