We may have been on to something. This week, Minister of National Security the Hon Tommy Turnquest made a startling and truly honourable statement that suggests that approving the Bimini Bay development may have been a mistake. To acknowledge such a thing demonstrates tremendous political and personal acumen and integrity. Further, it shows that the present government is at least open to self-evaluation and accountability. Kudos, Mr Turnquest.

On a related matter that impacts our tourism life, we note with concern the decision by AirTran to terminate their non-stop service to Grand Bahama (effective September 2). Is this another blow to the mid-section for the Grand Bahama economy? Of course it is. Not only does it amputate a key source of vistors, but it also closes another door for outgoing travel for local residents. While tourism officials insist that the impact is not significant, and that another airline will soon begin new service to Grand Bahama, we can’t help but feel increasing tension over the dwindling access options for potential visitors.

~ejr~

All of these concerns and efforts are important aspects of our tourism character and development. Not only must we continue to expand and find linkages between various areas of our domestic economy, we must also identify weaknesses, repair breaches, and court new relationships with neighbours and friends.

Our environment is an essential element of our tourism personality and product, as we have discussed from various aspects in the past. Protecting it must be a high priority, and infrastructural development and investment must be a close second priority. Are these in direct conflict with each other? Sometimes! Maintaining a balance between the two can be difficult and even impossible at times.

Take, for example, the development of Bimini Bay Resort on North Bimini. This combination condominium/hotel has literally obliterated the pre-existing mangroves and sand flats of the north sound. Mangrove breeding grounds and fish nurseries, that a supply the seas far beyond Bimini itself, have been buried, leaving some species decimated. The smalltooth sawfish is but one endangered species that has been affected. Phase II of the development is on a much larger scale than Phase I and will put such a strain on the ecology that the impact is likely irreversible.

But who will stand up and say no to millions, sometimes billions, of dollars of investment, jobs, and a massive influx of revenue to the local economy? We say someone better learn to do it soon, before there is very little of our Bahamas left.

~ejr~

Sand is something that we in the Bahamas take for granted. Go to the water’s edge and most of the time you’ll find sand. We make sand castles and enjoy the smoothness under our feet both on land and in the water. We wouldn’t have the beaches without the sand!

Spending some time at the beach recently we picked up a handful of sand and watched it pass through our fingers and back to its rightful place. We grabbed another small amount and spread it in our palm, trying to count the grains. We then began to wonder, as we often have, how many grains of sand were on this particular long stretch of beach? One billion? Six hundred trillion? Four-hundred-and-seventy-three quadrillion? What do you do when you have these kinds of questions? Visit Google as soon as you get home!

A few seconds after formulating a logical sequence of search terms we came across an interesting postulation. Often, people make comparisons between the number of stars in the universe with the grains of sand on Earth (as is done in the Bible). Some very intelligent people came up with a few ideas that help quantify both numbers. While the formulae are pretty intense, the end result is that there are about 7,500,000,000,000,000,000, or seven quintillion five quadrillion, grains of sand. That’s a LOT! How does that compare with the of stars in the universe? Let’s just say, they are relatively close–that is, IF the calculations are correct.

But the grains of sand in the Bahamas may soon be getting a bit easier to calculate. Recent news reports have stated that the Bahamas government is in negotiations with Florida counties to sell our sand to help restore beaches in South Florida that have severely eroded over the past decade. We’d rather have more sand to count here than end up having to look elsewhere to restore our own beaches a decade from now.

~ejr~