By KEESHA BETHELL, Guardian Staff Reporter

keesha@nasguaed.com

Despite on-going concerns about the destruction of mangroves, Bimini Bay says its project does not endanger nature and has the OK of health officials to prove it.

For the Bimini Bay project to be completed, mangroves have to be cut down and filled in.

Bimini residents feel the destruction of the wetlands will devastate its "biological richness", at the same time putting a damper on the island's main industry - fishing.

"They need to stop it now!" said a concerned resident. "This is going to kill the welfare of Bahamians.

"Soon my grandchildren won't even know what conch is."

Others accuse the government of rushing to approve the development without considering the well-being of the natural habitat.

Ebenezzer 'Ebby' David, a local fisherman and owner of Ebbie's Bimini Bonefish Club, said he doesn't feel that either political party cares about what is going on.

"When they are told about the problem, they either pretend to be clueless or they pretend to care," he said. "But in the end, it's all a stage act because nothing is ever done."

Another Biminite said there is hope.

"Election time is soon to come, so maybe then something will be done."

Bimini Bay is a luxury resort offering accommodations at the northern tip of the island. Upon completion, it is expected to offer visitors everything they need onsite. It will include a casino, golf course, restaurants and a variety of Bahamian-owned stores.

Some argue that the fishing industry will be sacrificed for that project.

According to an article on the Restrict Bimini Bay Resort website, the island has the only mangrove ecosystem on the entire Northwest Bahama Bank and is

responsible for replenishing fish populations and thousands of square miles of coral reefs and seabeds.

On another link, the site documents a conversation between Bimini Bay and environmentalist, Jeremy Dietsch.

The resort refers to the island as one sheltering a world of natural beauty and one of the most important marine nursery habitats in the country, making for exciting fishing and diving against a stunning background of natural wonders.

Dietsch responds saying the development threatens to destroy that background of natural wonders.

Shark researcher and Director of the Bimini Biological Field Station, Dr Samuel Gruber, is also against the destruction of the mangroves.

"I don't have anything against the development, it has created economic growth and employment." he said. "But I do have a problem with the way it (the development) is being done.

"It could have have been done in a way to benefit both the inhabitants and the habitat."

He said the dredging is having a negative effect on the marine life.

According to Gruber, the growth rate of the native lemon sharks has declined. This, therefore, is going to lessen their chance of survival, he said.

"The situation with the lemon sharks, animals at the top of the food chain, is a good indicator that the food chain is in trouble."

Gruber revealed there is harmful algae growing in the habitat at the expense of the sea grass because of dredging.

He explained that sea grass is very important for the growth and hence survival of animals in the area, some of which include game fish (bone fish),

conch and crawfish.

In response to concerns raised, vice president of Bimini Bay, Sean Grimberg, said testing has been done to ensure safety of the environment.

"We have been given a clean bill of health," he said. "The facts are the facts.

"The research is there," he added. "We are doing it properly and legally. The people of Bimini are going to flourish."