The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) categorically opposes the proposed Kakona Resort Development in South Abaco by SALDCO Ltd. (the Developer), which represents an existential threat to the ecological integrity and future of two Bahamian national parks: Abaco National Park and the Cross Harbour Protected Area. As it stands, this development would not only endanger the delicate balance of these protected areas but also undermine decades of conservation work, risking irreversible damage to native wildlife and ecosystems.

With a development footprint spanning three large areas, including plans for a 225-slip marina, 400 residential units, and 90 hotel keys, the Kakona Development would alter and disrupt critical habitats that these national parks were established to protect. The BNT and its partners have been dedicated to advancing the conservation of these areas for decades, working to ensure the protection of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems that are vital to the biodiversity of South Abaco.

Abaco National Park, home to the northernmost population of the Bahama Parrot, is a globally significant conservation area. For over 30 years, the BNT has been actively managing invasive species that threaten this iconic, ground-nesting bird. The increased human activity, noise, and waste associated with this development will attract feral species like cats and raccoons, which could undo decades of conservation work and potentially lead to the extinction of the Bahama Parrot in Abaco. Furthermore, the project would negatively impact essential parrot feeding grounds outside the park boundaries, compromising the parrot’s survival.

In addition to being vital to the well-being of the Bahama Parrot, the Abaco National Park also provides a refuge for other endemic birds, including the endangered Bahama Warbler, the endangered Bahama Swallow, and the Bahama Yellowthroat. The habitats these birds depend on have already been fragmented by Hurricane Dorian and can face further collapse due to this development. The cumulative impacts of habitat loss and human disturbance in Abaco National Park present significant threats to the biodiversity of the region and heighten the risks posed by climate change.

Cross Harbour, another invaluable protected area, is equally at risk. The waters and mangroves of Cross Harbour serve as nursery grounds for a range of species critical to Bahamian fisheries, including snappers, groupers, and queen conch. It is also home to the pre-spawning site for bonefish, a cornerstone species for the local recreational fishing industry, which generates millions in economic benefits each year. Increased marine traffic, habitat degradation, and potential overuse would compromise the delicate balance of this marine ecosystem, threatening livelihoods and local industries reliant on these resources.

The BNT is alarmed by the lack of meaningful consultation with our organization by the Developer; despite the proximity of the project to the Abaco National Park, and the fact that the project proposes the construction and modification of roads through the park. The Developer’s decision to bypass critical engagement with the BNT undermines our role as the national park managers of The Bahamas. Moreover, the public consultation process has been marred by accessibility barriers, including the requirement for individuals to provide personal information to access the Environmental Impact Assessment, which limits meaningful public participation.

Our last engagement with the developer took place a few years ago in a meeting to discuss a version of the project’s proposal. After that meeting, the developer began claiming that the BNT had endorsed the proposal. We immediately clarified that our discussion did not, in any way, imply endorsement of the project.

The BNT reiterates that the Kakona Development, as it stands, represents overdevelopment that far outweighs any short-term economic benefits it may offer. The ecological and socio-economic costs of proceeding with this project would be devastating, with long-term impacts that could irreparably damage these protected areas and the local communities that rely on them.

We urge the government and the public to recognize the value of Abaco National Park and the Cross Harbour protected area awaiting assignment to a Protected Area Management Agency, and the essential services they provide for Bahamian biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable local economies. The BNT is prepared to work alongside all stakeholders to identify alternative approaches to development that balance economic goals with the critical need to protect the natural resources that are the lifeblood of The Bahamas.

We invite concerned citizens to attend the public consultation for this project and make their voices heard. The public meeting will be held on Thursday, October 24th, 2024 at 6:00 pm at the Sandy Point Hurricane Shelter/Community Center in Sandy Point, Abaco.

Participants can also join virtually at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82049878672

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report can be viewed/downloaded at the following link: https://environmental.kakona.com/environmental-impact-assessment/

Let us stand together in defense of our parks, our wildlife, and our future.

To learn more about the role the BNT plays to manage terrestrial and marine national parks, protect Bahamian species, and inform environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs and follow/subscribe to various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.