Disaster Response Bahamas, The Project #60022

Northern Caribbean Disaster Response

by Blue Atlas

Project Report | Oct 21, 2024
Mangrove Restoration and Ongoing Rebuilding Efforts in the Bahamas

By Kali Kirkendall | Executive Director

Blue Atlas Project: Mangrove Restoration and Ongoing Rebuilding Efforts in the Bahamas

Overview of Mangrove Destruction
Hurricane Dorian left an indelible mark on the Bahamas, severely affecting both the land and its communities. A key concern in the aftermath has been the widespread destruction of mangrove forests, which play a vital role in protecting the islands from erosion and from future storm winds and surge, while having huge implications for the local economy. Across Grand Bahama and Abaco, approximately 13,700 acres of mangroves were decimated, significantly increasing the vulnerability of these regions.

Grand Bahama saw 73% of its mangroves damaged, affecting 21,000 acres, with 5,200 acres completely destroyed. In Abaco, 40% of mangroves were severely impacted, with 20,000 acres damaged and 8,500 acres entirely lost. The restoration of these ecosystems is a priority for ensuring the long-term resilience of the islands.

Moving Forward in 2025
As part of our ongoing rebuilding efforts, the Blue Atlas Project is advancing with a major mangrove restoration initiative in early 2025. Through a vital partnership with the Perry Institute for Marine Sciences, we will be joining the collective mangrove alliance that aims to replant 1,000,000 mangroves by the end of 2025.

This project is integral to the long-term recovery of the Bahamas. With a target density of 2,500 mangroves per hectare, this effort is essential for reducing the impacts of future storms, protecting shorelines from erosion, and ensuring the continued health of the local fishing industry (which generates $169 million USD annually) and the local food system

Community and Volunteer Engagement
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to community-driven recovery. In 2025, we will offer volunteer opportunities for those interested in joining us on the ground as we work alongside community efforts to restore the mangroves. This hands-on engagement will not only contribute to the restoration efforts but will also foster a deeper understanding of the crucial role mangroves play in the environment and local livelihoods. We will also continue to work with school garden managers and student groups in Abaco to provide educational outreach on the importance of mangrove ecosystems to the local food system and economy.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration
The Blue Atlas Project is committed to building on its established partnerships with key organizations, including the Perry Institute for Marine Sciences (PIMS) and the Bahamas Mangrove Alliance. With these collaborations, we are ensuring that the most effective and sustainable restoration practices are implemented, that every step we take is rooted in science and community needs.

Our efforts will continue to be coordinated with local authorities, such as the Bahamas National Trust and the Ministry of Education, to ensure that the designated planting areas, including the Marls, are protected and maintained.

Restoration Process and Goals
The restoration process will involve collecting and planting mangrove propagules (sea pens) using both direct and dispersal techniques. We are deeply committed to community involvement in this process, and we will prioritize locally sourced propagules to meet our ambitious restoration goals.

Join Us in Early 2025
As we look ahead, the Blue Atlas Project invites volunteers and supporters to join us in this critical mission. Together, we can restore the mangroves, strengthen the islands' resilience, and support the communities of Abaco as they continue to rebuild. Volunteer opportunities will be available as we move forward with this transformative project, providing a unique chance to make a lasting impact on both the environment and the local economy.

By restoring these essential ecosystems, we are not just planting trees; we are laying the foundation for a sustainable, resilient future for the Bahamas.

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Jun 21, 2024
Blue Atlas - Hurricane Season and Environmental Restoration

By Kali Kirkendall | Executive Director

Hello!

We are excited to share some updates from our recent trip to the Bahamas and showcase the path of long-term restoration. As you know we have been working in Abaco since the end of 2020. As we gear up for what NOAA has deemed a very active hurricane season, we are prepping to respond to a potential disaster to assist our fellow farmers and fishers where the need arises. We have also developed our approach to long term rebuilding efforts by restoring the aspects of the environment or natural world that have been compromised by storms and are vital to food security in the region.

All of this is a multi-tiered approach to food security and long-term stability. In Abaco, we are joining the efforts to increase efficiency for mangrove restoration. Mangroves play a vital role in land preservation, surge and wind protection, fishing habitat and spawning environments. Hurricane Dorian left a lasting impact where many people are racing to restore vital environmental zones before the face of the sea floor changes indefinitely.

What we know is the destruction of mangrove forests have left land and people more vulnerable; with nearly 13,700 acres now identified as dead between the two Islands of Grand Bahamas and Abaco.

As climate change continues to influence migration and storm intensity, all models implemented need to provide inclusive strategies to mitigate carbon emission through sequestration.

The impact of Dorian on Mangrove forests:

180 square kilometers
73% of mangroves on Grand Bahamas were severely damaged (21,000 acres damaged with 5200 acres totally dead = 2104 hectares)
40% on Abaco were severely damaged (20,000 acres with 8500 acres totally dead = 3440 hectares)

The destruction of mangroves has a significant impact on land preservation, by preventing erosion that combats the dwindling of the islands. It also plays a vital role in the fishing industry in both Abaco and Grant Bahamas, an industry that generates $169 million USD annually. Those along with spiny lobster and many species of fish (tarpon, snook and snapper) all rely on mangroves as their nurseries.

In short, there is a need to for what BA intends to provide;) Which is, decreased propagation time by working with and through the aquaponics community in Abaco and beyond. Through research CEI Aquaponics extraordinaire and BA Board Member Mia Avrill carried out, mangroves propagate at least twice as fast in aquaponic systems than conventionally (water + soil). We will also be working with our school, community and backyard gardens on Abaco to collect seed pods and propagate as a way for them to raise funds for their programs!

Thank you for your support as we continue to keep our present in the Caribbean and beyond.

Cheers,

Kali Kirkendall

Executive Director

The Blue Atlas Project

+1-937-725-7762

kali@blueatlasproject.org

Links:

website

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Feb 22, 2024
Blue Atlas Project Bahamas Update- Thank you!

By Kali Kirkendall | Executive Director

Thank you for supporting the Blue Atlas Projects work in the Caribbean.

We have been busy over the past few months supporting our aquaponics school gardens and farmers. What does this look like, it closely resembles orchestrating tilaplis fingerling deliveries for expanding and new systems, helping to organize shipments of supplies for goods hard to find in the Bahamas and providing

We are currently carrying out assessments for expanding our Food Equity and Sustainability Training (FEAST) Center(s) to other Bahamian islands. This effort is in partnership with the Agricultural Development Organization, the TK Foundation, One Eleuthera and the Island School. We are looking to expand to both Eleuthera and Grand Bahamas. Grand Bahamas, like Abaco where are pilot projects were located, was devestated by Hurricane Dorian and they are both still rebuilding. These centers will stand as school or community based gardens that are accessible to the children and adults alike for hands -on trainings.

We are working with teachers in Abaco to develop the Northern Caribbean school curriculum for aquaponic school gardens to help best utilize these systems for school and community inclusion and to grow the most food possible!

While our focus is currently on supporting and expanding the aquaponics network in the Bahamas, we do see the connectivity between aquaponics and aquaculture. The diversity of aquaculture that needs to and will be utilized in the Caribbean is impressive. While most of us think of salmon and tilapia, there is an abundance of sea life and opportunities that could flourish and provide increased food security, sustainabe fishing practices and economic opportunity in the region.

What are we looking at? Utilizing the aquaponic network to propogate mangrove seedlings to restore the first line of defense against future storms. Mangroves dense root network provide safe spawning habitats for an assortment of fish, while protecting from land degradation during those storms. We want to bring our knowledge of algae growth to the area, to jumpstart protein alternatives such as spirulina and foster growth in seaweed farming.

We are excited about what has occurred over the past year, seeing the systems and farms grow and overcome challenges. Thank you for your support, it allows us to think bigger and see how together we can create a more food secure world, aiding in food sovereignty in each region we work.

Please follow along with Blue Atlas on our social media pages for more information about what we are doing and why:

Facebook

Instagram

Our website

In gratitude,

Kali Kirkendall

Founder

The Blue Atlas Project

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