Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697639995985.pdf (Bahamas)
THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 2018 - 2019 Bahamas National Statistical Institute Ministry of Economic Affairs P.O.

Box N-3904 PREFACE The Environment Statistics Section of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) is engaged in the development of methodologies, data collection, technical cooperation, and coordination in the fields of environmental statistics and indicators.
UNSD developed and published a document in 1984, A Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics (FDES).

The FDES sets out the scope of environment statistics by relating the components of the environment to information categories that are based on the recognition that environmental problems are the result of human activities and natural events reflecting a sequence of action, impact, and reaction.
Relevant information, therefore, refers to social and economic activities and natural events, their effects on the environment, and the responses to these effects by the society.

The contents of the FDES are ‘statistical topics”; they are those aspects of environmental concerns that can be subjected to statistical description and analysis.
Nerissa Gibson Acting Managing Director Bahamas National Statistical Institute October 5, 2022 i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Bahamas National Statistical Institute would like to thank the many Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations for their assistance in the preparation of this publication by providing the source data needed.
The following organizations were represented by the following persons: Mr. Antony Christie, Bahamas Electricity Corporation Mr. Eric Carey, Bahamas National Trust Mr. Lindy Knowles, Bahamas National Trust Ms. Samantha Cartwright, Department of Environmental Planning & Protection Mr. Simeon Pinder, Dept.

of Agriculture Ms. Sonia Cartwright, Dept.

of Agriculture Ms. Launa Williams, Dept.

of Environmental Health Mr. Gregory Bethel, Dept.

of Fisheries Mr. Trevor Basden, Dept.


of Meteorology Mr. Mike Stubbs, Dept.

of Meteorology Mr. Jeffery Simmons, Dept.

of Meteorology Ms. Kim Sawyer, Dept.
of Social Services Ms. Danielle Hanek, Ministry of Environment & Housing Ms. Latonya Williams, Ministry of Environment & Housing Mrs. Camille Nairn, Ministry of Health Ms. Georgina Delancy, Ministry of Tourism Ms. Tenniel Newton, Nassau Airport Development Ms. Astra Bain, Port Department Mr. Berne Wright, Port Department Mr. Ross Smith, Road Traffic Mr. Rex Adderely, Road Traffic ii Mr. Cyprain Gibson, Water and Sewerage Corporation Mr. Chrishano Edgecombe, Water and Sewerage Corporation Ms. Charmine Munroe, Water and Sewerage Corporation Ms. Patrice Munroe, Water and Sewerage Corporation Ms. Coralee Mackey, Bahamas National Statistical Institute Ms. Shanell Williams, Bahamas National Statistical Institute Mrs. Terah Newbold, Bahamas National Statistical Institute iii TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PREFACE………………………………………………………………………………………………… i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………………………………………………………...… TABLE OF CONTENTS …………………………………………………………………………..…… GLOSSARY…………………………………………………………………………………………….… GEOGRAPHICAL COMPOSITION OF THE BAHAMAS ………..………………………….…….

POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS: 2010 CENSUS……………………………………………….….

ii - iii iv - vi vii viii ix BACKGROUND……………………………………………………………………………………….... x - xi ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS IN THE BAHAMAS…………………………………….……….
xii xiii TABLE NO AGRICULTURE…………………………..…………...………………………………………………… 1 - 2 1.1 1.

2 1.

3 1.

4 1.

5 1.6 Active & Estimated Inactive Farmers All Bahamas: 2012 - 2014 & 2017.………………….

Total Number of Farmers by Island: 2011 - 2014 & 2017….…………..…...………..…..….
Crop Production by Island, Quantity & Value: 2014…………………………………...….... Livestock Production by Island, Quantity & Value: 2014…………………………………… Imported Pesticides by Type & Quantity: 2015 - 2019 ……………………….……....…..… Imported Fertilizers by Type & Quantity: 2015 - 2019…………………..…….….……...….
FISHERIES….…………………………………………………………………………………………… 9 - 10 2.1 Fish Landings by Product & Value: 2015 - 2019 …..……………...….………………..…… BIODIVERSITY….……………………………………………………………………………………… 3.1 Protected Area as a Percentage of Total Land Area: 1959 - 2019………………………….. 11 12 13 iv PAGE NO.

14 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE NO.

3.2 3.3 Protected Area as a Percentage of Total Territorial Area: 2015 - 2019………….…………..
Protected Areas by Location, Year, Acers & Type: 1958 - 2019……………….…………… FORESTRY………………………………………………………………………………………….…… 4.1 Protected Forest Area as a Percentage of Total Land Area: 2015 - 2019…………………….
POPULATION & HOUSING………………………………………………………….…………...…… 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 Population Living in Coastal Area: 2000 - 2030…………………………………………….. Population Change by Island: 2000 & 2010………………………………………………… Projected Mid-Year Population by Age Group & Sex: 2010 - 2040………………………… 21 - 27 Percentage Distribution of Households by Island & Type of Tenure: 2013………………....
Percentage Distribution of Private Dwellings by Households Size and Number of Households Size and Number of Bedrooms: 2013………………………………..……..…..

Percentage Distribution of Households by Type of Cooking Fuel: 2013………………...…..

Percentage Distribution of Households by Type of Lighting: 2013………………………….
Percentage Distribution of Private Dwellings by Type of Toilet Facilities and Main Source of Water Supply: 2013….…………………………………….….……..… 28 29 30 31 32 THE WATER AND SEWERAGE CORPORATION……………………..…………..……………… 33 - 34 6.1 Water Distribution New Providence: 2015 - 2019………………………………………….

NATIONAL ACCOUNTS…………….…………………………….………………………………...… 7.1 Gross & Net National Income, Gross National Disposable Income Gross Savings, Net Lending/Borrowing at Current Market Prices: 2015 - 2019…………….
35 36 37 TRANSPORTATION…………………………………………………………………………………… 38 - 39 8.1 8.2 The Number of Airline Passengers by Origin & Year: 2015 - 2019……..……………..…… Total Sea Transportation by Type: 2012 - 2019…………………..………………………... 40 41 v TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE NO.

8.3 8.4 Driver’s License by Type: New Providence & Grand Bahama 2017 - 2019……………...… Registered Vehicles by Plate Type: New Providence & Grand Bahama 2017 - 2019……….
ENERGY ……………………………………………………….…………………………..………….… 9.1 9.2 Energy Consumption: 2010 - 2019……………………………...…………………..…...…...

Imported Fuels by Type & Quantity: 2010 - 2019………………..…….…………………… PAGE NO.
42 43 44 45 46 HEALTH…………………………………………………………………………………………….…… 47 - 48 Number of Reported Cases & Incidences of Environmentally Related Diseases: 2008 - 2017……………………………..…….……...… 49 - 52 10.1 NATURAL DISASTERS…………….……………………………………………………….……..…… 11.1 Natural Disasters: 2015 - 2019…………………….………………………………………… 53 54 TOURISM………………………………………………………………………………………………... 55 - 56 12.1 Tourism Statistics: 2010-2019………………………………………….…………...…..…… 12.2 Stopovers Visitors by Country of Origin: 2010 - 2019……………………………………… 12.3 Stopovers Visitors by Mode of Arrival: 2010-2019…………………………….................... 57 58 59 vi GLOSSARY … not available kWh kilowatt-hour 0 No.
km km2 % Pl F Degrees Number Kilometer square kilometer Percent Preliminary Fahrenheit (mT) Metric tonne ’ bbls FAO Inches barrels Food and Agriculture Organization IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature HS Code Harmonized Code GDP GNP The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures productive activities taking place in the economy using concepts and definitions from the United Nations System of National Accounts, 2008.
Gross National Product(GNP) is the total value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a particular year, plus income earned by its citizens (including income of those located abroad), minus income of non-residents located in that country.
vii GEOGRAPHICAL COMPOSITION OF THE BAHAMAS ISLAND Abaco Andros Eleuthera Grand Bahama New Providence Other Islands Total Land Area SQUARE MILES MAJOR TOWNS Marsh Harbour Nicholl’s Town Governor’s Harbour Freeport Nassau 649 2,300 187 530 80 1,037 5,382 Latitude: 230-300 Degrees North Longitude: 720-790 Degrees West Highest Point: 206ft Cat Island, Como Hill/ Mount Alvernia CLIMATE a SEASONS Mean Air Temperature (F) Dry: December- April Max: 89 (Summer) Rainy: May-December Min: 75 (Winter) RAINFALL a 40’- 55’ average year precipitation Source: Department of Meteorology viii POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS TOTAL MALE FEMALE Population 351,461 (2010) 170,257 (2010) 181,204 (2010) Population Growth Rate 15.8% (2010) Birth Rate Death Rate 17.81births/1,000 population (2013) 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2013) Net Migration 64,793 (2010) Infant Mortality Rate 22.7 deaths /live births (2013) Life Expectancy Rate 69.87 (2010) 76.8 (2010) 70.6 (2010) Fertility Rate 2.0 children born/woman (2013) Source: Bahamas National Statistical Institute Note: (2010) Refers to the Census and (2013) refers to the Vital Statistics Report ix BACKGROUND The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is an archipelago of islands that extends some 50 miles (80km) from east of Florida to about 50 mi (80 km) northeast of Cuba.
The archipelago is low- lying and surrounded by coral reefs and extensive sand flats.

The highest point in the country is Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island, at 207 ft (63 m) above mean sea level.

Most of the rainfall occurs during the hurricane season, from June to November.

The total population is about 351,461 (Bahamas National Statistical Institute, 2010 Census), with a total of about 88,000 households.
Nearly 70% of the population reside on New Providence Island, where the capital city of Nassau is located.

The other islands are collectively referred to as the “Family Islands”.

Tourism is the major industry in The Bahamas, with some 6.1 million visitors in 2017.

About 78% of tourists arrive by sea, and the remainder by air.

Several cruise ship lines call at Nassau, and a smaller number at Freeport.

Tourists contribute some $2.6 billion to the Bahamian economy annually.
Financial services account for about 9% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), contributing to the economy in salaries, fees and other local overheads.

This sector includes offshore banking and asset management.

A number of gated communities provide luxury first or second homes, marina facilities and golfing.

Agriculture and Fisheries is a small sector contributing between 1% and 2% percent of GDP: some 90% of the food consumed by the population is imported, mainly from the USA.
Only about 19,760 acres of land is presently used for agriculture, with crop production carried out mainly in Abaco, Andros and Grand Bahama.

Export crops include citrus, avocadoes and pumpkins.

There are a number of large poultry farms on New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco.
Biodiversity is important to The Bahamas for several reasons: ecosystems provide services such as air and water cleansing; the diverse marine ecosystems, attract tourists; and the terrestrial x ecosystems provide building materials, foods and medicines.

Threats to biodiversity include lack of appreciation, habitat destruction and fragmentation, overharvesting (especially of marine species), pollution, and invasion of alien species.
Climate Change is expected to impact biodiversity not only by catastrophic events leading to habitat destruction, but also directly by modification of habitats.

The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of The Bahamas includes some highly productive fishing grounds, including sea grass beds, coral reefs, and deep ocean.

Spiny lobster, conch and Nassau grouper are the major species fished.

Commercial fishing generates about $70 million a year, and exports of spiny lobster alone contribute just over 2% of GDP.
Fishery regulations include size limits and closed seasons for spiny lobster, conch, grouper, and stone crabs.

The government has designated five “no take” marine reserves in 2000.

The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park has been a “no take” zone since 1986, and has demonstrated the effectiveness of such zones.

The economy has a very competitive tax regime.


The government derives its revenue from import tariffs, license fees, property, stamp taxes and value-added tax (VAT) but there is no income tax, corporate tax, capital gains tax, or wealth tax.

Payroll taxes fund social insurance benefits and amount to 3.9% paid by the employee and 5.9% paid by the employer.

Authorities are trying to increase tax compliance and collection in the wake of the global crisis.
Inflation has been moderate, averaging 1.5 percent between 2016 and 2017.

Source: http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com xi ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS IN THE BAHAMAS 1.

Invasive Species terrestrial: Casuarinas, Melaleuca, Brazilian Pepper.

2.

Invasive Species Marine: Lionfish is uncharacteristic of the Atlantic Ocean and are negatively impacting the native species in the Bahamas.

3.

Feral Cats: Domestic cats are breeding in the Abaco National Park and are threatening the endangered Bahamas Parrot.

4.
4.

Rats: Rodents are invading isolated cays and islands in the Central and Southern Bahamas.

They are threatening the nesting of seabirds and endangered species such as the Iguanas.

5.

Indiscriminate Filling and Dumping in Wetlands: Wetlands provide habitat for marine and avian wildlife.

They are also important areas for providing a place for water during heavy rains and floods.

6.
6.

Land Planning: Land is becoming a scarce commodity in the Bahamas especially on the island of New Providence (Capital) that had a population density in 2010 of 3,079 persons per square mile.

7.

Alternative Energy Sources: The Bahamas is very dependent on oil for the provision of energy and electricity, consideration is being given to finding alternative energy sources.

8.
8.

Lack of Biodiversity Inventories for the Bahamas: Currently there is a lack of systematic documentation of the variety and stock of Flora and Fauna in the country.

These Flora and Fauna provide an important habitat for the birds and damaged coral reefs xii AGRICULTURE Ninety percent of the agricultural land in The Bahamas is government-owned and falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries.
Agricultural production in the Bahamas focuses on four main areas: crops, poultry, livestock, and dairy.

Poultry, winter vegetables, and citrus fruits are the mainstay of the agricultural sector, which is concentrated in Abaco.

Exports consist mainly of grapefruits, limes, okra, papaya, pineapples, and avocado.

Total exports for 2016 was estimated to be $880 million while imports were an estimated $2.50 billion.

Export commodities include: Rock lobster, aragonite, crude salt and polystyrene products.
Import commodities include: Machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels, food and live animals.

The Ministry of Agriculture (Incorporation) Act, 1993 gives the Minister of Agriculture authority to hold, lease, and dispose of agricultural land and to enter into contracts.

The Government has initially earmarked 36,148 prime acres of what is called Crown Land to be used for agricultural purposes.
This acreage is located in the following areas:  13,869 acres in Andros  11,737 acres in Abaco  10,542 acres in Grand Bahama Island It is anticipated that the agricultural export subsector will continue to grow in The Bahamas, with increases in the acreage of citrus and winter vegetables planted in Abaco for the Florida market.

Growth is also expected in the volume of winter vegetables for export, particularly cucumber, green pepper, squash, melons, and tropical fruit.
The Bahamas Agricultural Sector In 1994, a Census for Agriculture was conducted, the first since 1978 which provided crucial information on the country’s agricultural sector.

The data has indicated that there were approximately 1,800 farms in The Bahamas.

1 It is anticipated that the agricultural export subsector will continue to grow in The Bahamas, with increases in the acreage of citrus and winter vegetables planted in Abaco for the Florida market.
Growth is also expected in the volume of winter vegetables for export, particularly cucumber, green pepper, squash, melons, and tropical fruit.

The Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre (GRAC), on New Providence Island, consists of Food Technology, the Animal Feeds Unit and the Central Agricultural Station.

In 1994, a modern 24- sow unit piggery was constructed at GRAC, with assistance from the Republic of China.
The piggery is stocked with high quality animals from the US which were intended to be used to produce improved breeding stock for sale to small pig farmers and to demonstrate a new system of pig rearing.

Agricultural Imports The Bahamas imports nearly 90 percent of its food products, 80 percent of which comes through the United States.
Some of the main U.S. food exported to the Bahamas are poultry meat and products, beef and beef products, dairy products, snacks, prepared food, fruit and vegetable juices, pork and pork products, wine and beer, fresh vegetables and non-alcoholic beverages.

A Disease Insect Surveillance Unit monitors the importation of fruit and vegetables into The Bahamas.
All commercial importers of fresh produce, ornamentals, meat, milk, eggs, and poultry must obtain permission and is monitored by Disease Insect Surveillance Unit.

Pesticides Pesticides are substances meant for attracting, seducing and destroying or mitigating any pest.

The most common use of pesticides is as plant protection products.

It protects plants from damming influences such as weeds, plant diseases or insects.

Pesticides are used to control organisms that are considered to be harmful.
Source: http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/The-Bahamas-AGRICULTURE.
Source: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bf.html 2 3 Table 1.1FARMERS2012201320142017Active Farmers (registered/reported)762737776N/AActive Farmers (unregistered/unreported) 8621,024908N/AEstimated Inactive Farmers765716751N/ATotal Farmers2,3892,4772,4352,462Source: Department of AgricultureThere was no information available for the years 2015 - 2016ACTIVE AND ESTIMATED INACTIVE FARMERSALL BAHAMAS: 2012 - 2014 & 2017 4 Table 1.2NEW PROVIDENCEN/AN/AN/AN/AGRAND BAHAMAN/AN/AN/AN/AABACON/AN/AN/AN/AACKLINSN/AN/AN/AN/AANDROSN/AN/AN/AN/ACAT ISLANDN/AN/AN/AN/AELEUTHERAN/AN/AN/AN/AEXUMAN/AN/AN/AN/ALONG ISLANDN/AN/AN/AN/ASAN SALVADORN/AN/AN/AN/AMAYAGUANAN/AN/AN/AN/ACROOKED ISLANDN/AN/AN/AN/ARUM CAYN/AN/AN/AN/AINAGUAN/AN/AN/AN/ARAGGED ISLANDN/AN/AN/AN/ATOTAL ACTIVE FARMERS1,6241,7611,684N/ATOTAL INACTIVE FARMERS 765716751N/ATOTAL FARMERS2,3892,4772,4352,462Source: Department of AgricultureN/A - Not Available2017BY ISLAND: 2012 - 2014 & 2017TOTAL NUMBER OF FARMERS20132014ISLAND2012 5 6 Table 1.3ABACO3,431,0472,058,601ACKLINS37,70420,075ANDROS4,700,8293,018,914CAT ISLAND2,372,2771,038,872CROOKED ISLAND11,4704,011ELEUTHERA10,758,1428,270,938EXUMA131,70270,688GRAND BAHAMA991,073445,857INAGUALONG CAYLONG ISLANDMAYAGUANANEW PROVIDENCERAGGED ISLANDRUM CAYSAN SALVADORTOTAL22,434,24214,927,957Source: Department of AgricultureNote: Data is provisional and subject to revision.CROP PRODUCTION BY ISLAND, QUANTITY & VALUE: 2014ISLANDQUANTITY ILBS.VALUE $NO FARMERS REGISTERED / UNREPORTEDNO FARMERS
 REGISTERED / UNREPORTEDNO FARMERS REGISTERED / UNREPORTEDNO FARMERS REGISTERED / UNREPORTEDNO FARMERS REGISTERED / UNREPORTEDNO FARMERS REGISTERED / UNREPORTEDNO FARMERS REGISTERED / UNREPORTEDNO FARMERS REGISTERED / UNREPORTED 7 Table 1.4ABACO1,535,3182,653,813ACKLINS31,241107,461ANDROS25,02468,455CAT ISLAND165578CROOKED ISLAND5,50019,250ELEUTHERA156,723323,778EXUMA6802,200GRAND BAHAMA143,07580,083INAGUALONG CAYLONG ISLAND42,208141,560MAYAGUANANEW PROVIDENCERAGGED ISLANDRUM CAYSAN SALVADORTOTAL1,939,9343,397,178Source: Department of AgricultureNote: Data is provisional and subject to revision.QUANTITY & VALUE: 2014 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION BY ISLAND, NO FARMERS REGISTERED/UNREPORTEDNO FARMERS REGISTERED/UNREPORTEDNO FARMERS REGISTERED/UNREPORTEDNO FARMERS REGISTERED/UNREPORTEDNO FARMERS REGISTERED/UNREPORTEDNO FARMERS REGISTERED/UNREPORTEDISLANDQUANTITY ILBS.NO FARMERS REGISTERED/UNREPORTEDVALUE $ 8 Table 1.5Unit: lbsTYPEHS CODE20152016201720182019Insecticides38089100701,711751,233606,791622,851764,789Fungicides3808920035,08431,43224,19836,23092,376Herbicides and Plant Growth Regulators3808930076,97048,93724,73687,26692,919Disinfectants 38089400202,757161,108126,153505,503441,342Rodenticides 3808992036,22233,67937,72525,49939,587Other Rodenticides & similar products3808999037,17335,15717,44134,91821,654Source: External Trade Section, BNSI IMPORTED PESTICIDES BY TYPE & QUANTITY: 2015 - 2019 9 Table 1.6Unit: lbsHSCODE20152016201720182019Animal Or Vegetable
 Fertilizers310139,85130,28320,36450,80467,880Mineral or Checmical Fertilisers Nitrogenous310220,25030,85946,05142,02148,365Mineral or Chemical Fertilisers Phosphatic31031,255389167956145,112Mineral or Chemical Fertilisers Potassic310424,82510,1417,28615,29228,198Mineral or Chemical Fertilizers with two or three fertilizers elements310591,78960,180164,983100,192164,983Source: External Trade Section, BNSITYPE IMPORTED FERTILIZERS BY TYPE & QUANTITY: 2015 - 2019 FISHERIES The flats, reefs and steep drop-offs that surround The Bahamas attract a variety of fish and fishermen.
The bonefish among the flats draw fly fishermen and spin casters looking for a fresh challenge.

The reefs lure large fish and extremely skilled, patient anglers.

And the deep waters of the Atlantic, home to prized big-game fish, attract fishermen who prefer the heaviest of heavy- gauge lines.

Bonefish are among the most popular fish in The Bahamas.

These lightning-fast streaks of sliver fishes can be found in the shallow water of many islands.

Andros is known to be “the bonefish capital of the world”.
Exuma and Abaco also inhabit the shallow waters of the mud flats around many of the islands.

With its prime location, in the middle of the Gulf Stream, Bimini is regarded as the “big game fishing capital of the world”, where you can "go for the big one" and set new records in deep waters teeming with swordfish, marlin, tarpon and tuna.
Good sport fishing can also be found around Grand Bahama Island and Exuma, where huge numbers of large wahoo, marlin and sailfish can be wrestled from the deeper waters of the Exuma Sound, which drops to a staggering 6,000ft.

In order to conserve The Bahamas marine environment, fishing and diving in The Bahamas are governed by rules administered by The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Those breaking laws governing size limitation, fishing seasons, allowable fishing tools and prohibitions may face heavy fines and penalties.

Fishing Regulations for the Bahamas  Each vessel shall use not more than six (6) rods or reels unless the operator is in possession of a permit authorizing the use of more rods or reels;  Vessels with a valid fishing permit are allowed 20 pounds of scale fish, 10 conch, and 6 Crawfish (in season) per person, at any time.
 Open season for Crawfish (spiny lobster) is August 1 to March 31  No Grouper or Rockfish weighing less than three pounds may be taken.

10  No spearfishing within 200 yards of any island in the Bahamas.

 It is illegal to use any type of underwater air supply for spear fishing or collecting of any marine life.

This includes scuba gear as well as air compressors.

 Spearfishing is restricted to free divers only and only with the use of a Hawaiian sling.
   It is illegal to take coral, tropical fish or sea fans.

It is illegal for a non-Bahamian to use any type of fishing net, except a cast net.

It is illegal for a non-Bahamian to use fish traps or to sell marine products of any type.

 Nothing may be taken from Bahamas National Underwater Parks.
 A person shall fish by the traditional method of angling with a hook or lure attached to a line held in the hand or attached to a pole, rod or reel;  A person, unless otherwise authorized by the respective permit, shall not use a spear, a fish trap, or a net other than a landing net;  Any migratory fishery resource that is caught shall not in total consist of more than six (6) Kingfish, Dolphin, Tuna or Wahoo per vessel and any resource not intended to be used shall not be injured unnecessarily but be returned to the sea alive;  No vessel shall have on board any conch, turtle or more than twenty pounds of any fishery resources (groupers, snappers, etc.)
per vessel at any time and excluding not more than six crawfish per vessel.

 No vessel shall have on board any fish unless its head and tail is intact.

 It is illegal to harvest conch which does not possess a well formed lip.
Source:http://www.myoutislands.com/bahamas-fishing/regulations 11 12 Table 2.1PRODUCT20152016201720182019Crawfish Tails54,793,55568,278,01059,210,44147,013,04956,826,495Crawfish Whole540,957825,196233,303104,750106,624Conch4,385,5793,101,2794,204,3005,191,9603,847,876Stone Crab1,618,435435,293840,9541,130,2931,335,789Nassau Grouper526,299348,206587,900850,4231,031,781Other Grouper269,027209,523323,399155,454174,112Grouper Filet106,20447,87266,50891,62392,547Snappers2,245,3071,667,0661,407,7121,917,3232,502,152Jacks89,26496,75791,469134,199136,802Grunts112,322120,869156,22521,95621,195Others114,737231,978261,266509,756558,841TOTALS65,501,72175,362,08767,383,47857,120,78666,634,215Spider Crab6203,6511,072625197Hardhead Sponge119,32634,4826,90944,49539,865Grass Sponge96,110106,2509,00075,751109,203Reef Sponge00000Wool Sponge16,23048,48027900Total Sponge231,666189,21216,188120,246149,067Source: Department of FisheriesNotes:Wool Sponge (Individual pieces)Hardhead sponge - StrandsFormat changed to reflect the Food and Agricultural Organization standards.
Grass Sponge (individual pieces)FISH LANDINGS BY PRODUCT AND VALUE: 2015 - 2019 BIODIVERSITY The Bahamas National Trust was created by an Act of Parliament in 1959.
This historic legislation authorized the BNT to hold, maintain and manage “lands, tenements and submarine areas of beauty or natural or historic interest as open spaces, or wildlife sanctuaries, or places of public resort.” In 2010, the legislation was updated to formalize the BNT as an official advisor to government and the private sector on development, conservation, and biodiversity issues and policies.

The BNT is a non-governmental, non-profit, membership organization.
It is governed by an independent council that includes representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as from international scientific institutions.

The original legislation also established the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park as t he country’s first national park.

Six years later the government turned over to the BNT a large wetland area in central Inagua as the country’s second national park.
In 1970, the developers of the city of Freeport designated 40 acres on Grand Bahama as th e Lucayan National Park.

This land was leased to the BNT in 1982, and since then successive governments have placed more than a million acres of land and sea under BNT management.

In 2002 the Bahamian national park system doubled in size when 10 new sites were designated and the total area under protection jumped to more than 700,000 acres.
Today there are 32 national parks protecting over two million acres around the country.

And the BNT is possibly the only non-governmental agency in the world responsible for national park management.
Source: www.bnt.bs 13 14 Table 3.1ACREPERCENTAGESQUARE KILOMETERSTotal Land Area686,7283.7%2,779Total Marine Area17,753,29096.3%71,845Total Protected Area18,440,018100%74,624 Source: Bahamas National TrustNotes:A protected area adopted by the IUCN is defined as: An area of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means.
Total Territorial Area of the country includes terrestrial/surface area plus territorial waters (up to 12 nautical miles).maintenance of biological diversity and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means.

Total Territorial Area of the country includes terrestrial/surface area plus territorial waters (up to 12 nautical miles).TOTAL PROTECTED AREA BY ACRE, PERCENTAGE AND SQUARE KILOMETER: 1958 - 2019 15 Table 3.2Unit: AcresCATEGORY201520162017201820191.
Total Territorial Area69,275,99469,275,99469,275,99469,275,99469,275,9942.

Total Protected Area (terrestrial and marine)2,072,0362,072,0362,072,03613,181,82213,181,8225.

Protected Area as a Percentage of Total Territorial Area 3%3%3%19%19% Source: Bahamas National TrustNotes:b.

Total Territorial Area (of the country) includes terrestrial/surface area plus territorial waters ( up to 12 nautical miles)a.
A protected area adopted by the International union for conservation of nature (IUCN) is defined as: An area of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means.
It includes 6 categories which are: Category Ia: Strict Nature Reserve and Category Ib: Wilderness Area, Category II: National Park, Category III: Natural Monument, Category IV: Habitat/Species Management Area, Category V: Protected Landscape/Seascape, Category VI: Managed Resource Protected AreaPROTECTED AREA AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL TERRITORIAL AREA: 2015 - 2019 16 Table 3.3LOCATIONYEARACRESLANDMARINE1Abaco National ParkAbaco199422,50022,50002Pelican Cays Land & Sea ParkAbaco19722,1001821,9183Black Sound Cay National ParkAbaco19882024Tiloo Cay ReserveAbaco1990111105Fowl Cays National ParkAbaco20093,20003,2006Blue Holes National ParkAndros200240,00040,00007Crab Replenishment ReserveAndros20024,0004,00008Andros North Marine ParkAndros20025,00005,0009Andros South Marine ParkAndros20023,50003,50010Andros West Side National ParkAndros20021,500,000407,4771,092,52311Conception Island National ParkConception Island196430,0001,64028,36012Marine FarmCrooked Island200244013Hope Great HouseCrooked Island200244014Leon Levy Native Plant PreserveEleuthera20153030015Moriah Harbour Cay National ParkExuma200222,83313022,70316Exuma Cays Land & Sea ParkExuma1958148,4803,149145,33117Peterson Cay National ParkGrand Bahama19681,09021,08818Rand Nature CentreGrand Bahama1992100100019Lucayan National ParkGrand Bahama19821,937391,89820Little Inagua National ParkInagua200262,80028,80633,99421Inagua National ParkInagua1965220,000177,96342,03722Union Creek ReserveInagua19656,15006,15023Primeval Forest National ParkNew Providence
 200288024Bonefish Pond National ParkNew Providence 20021,23565058525Harold & Wilson Ponds National ParkNew Providence 20022653023526The RetreatNew Providence 19851111027Graham's Harbour Seabird & Iguana National Park San Salvador20155,723225,70128West Coast Dive Site San Salvador201510,313010,31329Pigeon Creek & Snow Bay National Park San Salvador20155,06005,06030Southern Great Lake National Park San Salvador20154,00004,00031Green's Bay National Park San Salvador2015586058632Walker's Cay National ParkWalker's Cay20025,80005,800Source: Bahamas National TrustPROTECTED AREAS BY LOCATION, YEAR,ACRES & TYPE: 1958 - 2015PROTECTED AREA FORESTRY There are three main categories of forests in The Bahamas: Northern Bahamas Pine Forests, Central Bahamas Broadleaf Hardwood Forest and Southern Bahamas Drought-Resistant Woodland.
Forest resources occupy approximately 6,250 mi 2 (1,620 kha) of the area of The Bahamas.

Of this total, some 880 mi 2 (228 kha) is pine forest, some 2,705 mi 2 (702 kha) is hardwood coppice forest, and 2,665 mi 2 (690 kha) is mangrove forest.

Forests provide habitat for the native fauna and flora, including several endemic birds and orchid.

Forests also provide much-needed erosion and storm water control and provide protection for the potable water resources of The Bahamas.
Most of the blue holes, an important ecotourism resource and of scientific value, occur in forested areas.

Mangroves are also important in maintaining forest systems as they protect inland forests and natural communities from storms and erosions.

Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle L.) is a prime example, as it provides protection against coastal erosion, and may be able to adjust to sea level rise.

Forests also act as sinks for carbon dioxide.


Currently, it is estimated that 15 to 20% of atmospheric carbon dioxide emitted by human activities results from deforestation or, more generally, from changes in land use.

Changes in growth patterns and species composition resulting from salinization of soils and rising water tables; Increased risks of soil erosion as forested areas lose their tree cover as a result of the above.

Source: climatechangepolicy.qxp 17 18 Table 4.1CATEGORY201520162017201820191.
Total forest area3,2663,2663,2663,2663,2662.

Protected forest area3783783783783783.

Conservation Forest Area3783783783783784.

Forest Reserves1,4941,4941,4941,4941,4945.

Total Land area 13,95713,95713,95713,95713,957Protected forest area as a % of Total forest area12%12%12%12%12%Protected forest area as a % of Total land area3%3%3%3%3%Source: Department of Lands and Surveya.
Forestsb.Total Land AreaTotal land area excluding area under inland or tidal water bodies.Historically, substantial plots of land were cleared for large scale commercial hotels, luxury houses, apartments, condominiums, and golf courses.

Additionally, substantial amounts of forest land has been devoted to farming which includes crops such as cotton, pineapple, tomatoes, sugarcane, sisal and citrus.
Notes: PROTECTED FOREST AREA AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL LAND AREA: 2015 - 2019Proposed figures are subject to gazetting under the Forestry Act 2010 by the Bahamas Government.

The areas covered in this table include pines, broadleaf coppice, mangroves,and wetlands from four major Pine Islands in Bahamas.The table illustrates the amount of forest area kept and governed by the Bahamas Government.

There are three distinct types of forest namely; protected forest, conservation forest and forest reserves.
This table also shows the various types of forest as a percentage of total forest area and the amount of forest area as a percentage of total land.

POPULATION The final results of the 2010 Census indicate that at May 3, 2010 there were 351,461 persons resident in The Bahamas.

Residents included all persons regardless of their legal status who on Census Day (May 3, 2010) had been living in The Bahamas for a period of six months prior to Census Day.
Of the 351,461 persons residing in The Bahamas, 348,884 lived in private dwellings and 2,577 lived in non-private dwellings.

The population growth of 15.8 percent over the past decade was 3.2 percentage points lower than that of the previous decade (1990-2000) when the growth was 19.0 percent.

This decadal growth is the lowest since the increase of the 1950’s (the period between 1953 and 1963) when the growth was 53.5 percent; the highest ever recorded in the history of The Bahamas.
Changes in the age structure of the population also impacted the median age.

The median age is the age at the midpoint of the population, i.e., half of the population is older than the median age and half is younger.

In 2010 the median age increased to 29.4 years from 27.0 years in 2000.

The 2.4 years increase was slightly lower than the 3.4 year increase between 1990 and 2000.

This increase in the median age is a sign that the population of The Bahamas is aging.
Internal migration is the movement of people from one island to the other.

The three most populated islands (New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco) accounted for 90% of the total population of The Bahamas in 2010.

The increase in New Providence’s population over the decades to a large extent is attributed to internal migration.

Eleuthera, Andros and Exuma accounted for 6.4% of the remaining 10% of the population, while the balance of 3.6% resided on the other thirteen inhabited islands and cays.
A total immigrant population of 64,793 persons, of which 29,157 were recent immigrants who migrated to The Bahamas during the intercensal period 2000-2010.

Of the total immigrant population 70% resided on the island of New Providence, 16% on Grand Bahama, 7% on Abaco, Eleuthera and Exuma shared equal distributions of 2% of the immigrants, whilst the Other Family islands accounted for 4%.

Source: 2010 Census Report, Census Section - BNSI 19 20 Table 5.1CENSUSPROJECTEDCENSUS20002005201020152020202520301.
Population living in coastal areas303,611325,200351,461369,670389,410408,930427,060Source: The Bahamas Population Projection Report - Census Section, BNSINote:The coastal area is defined as living within 4,404 miles of the coast.
Therefore entire population of the Bahamas is considered to be living in a coastal area as the country is an Archipelago of 30 major islands the largest of which is only 2,300 sq miles.PROJECTED POPULATION INDICATORPOPULATION LIVING IN COASTAL AREAS: 2000 - 2030 21 Table 5.2ISLAND20002010GROWTHBETWEEN2000 - 2010ALL BAHAMAS303,611351,46147,850NEW PROVIDENCE210,832246,32935,497GRAND BAHAMA46,99451,3684,374ABACO13,17017,2244,054ACKLINS428565137ANDROS7,6867,490-196BERRY ISLAND70980798BIMINI1,7171,988271CAT ISLAND1,6471,522-125CROOKED ISLAND350350-20ELEUTHERA7,9998,202203EXUMA & CAYS3,5716,9283,357HARBOUR ISLAND1,6391,762123INAGUA969913-56LONG ISLAND2,9923,094102MAYAGUANA25927718RAGGED ISLAND72720SAN SALVADOR970940-30RUM CAY809919SPANISH WELLS1,5271,55124Source: The Bahamas Population Projection Report - Census Section, BNSIPOPULATION CHANGE BY ISLAND: 2000 & 2010 22 PROJECTED MID-YEAR POPULATION BY AGE-GROUP AND SEX: 2010 - 2014ASSUMPTION B (MEDIUM)TABLE 5.3 ALL BAHAMAS('000)20102011201220132014AGE-GROUPTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleALL AGES351.5170.2181.3355.02171.81183.21358.6173.46185.14362.23175.12187.11365.92176.81189.11 0-4 30.8015.4015.4029.9314.9714.9629.1214.5814.5428.4214.2414.1827.7313.9113.82 5-9
5-9 31.5015.7015.8031.4915.6515.8431.4615.6015.8631.4215.5515.8731.3915.5215.8710-1431.8015.9015.9031.8515.8815.9731.9215.8816.0431.9815.8716.1132.0215.8616.1615-1931.2015.7015.5031.6415.9115.7331.8515.9915.8631.9015.9815.9231.8915.9315.9620-2426.6013.2013.4027.2313.6013.6328.1714.1314.0429.2314.7014.5330.2015.2114.9925-2926.6012.7013.9026.4612.6613.8026.2712.6413.6326.1312.6813.4526.1912.8213.3730-3427.3013.2014.1027.0913.0414.0527.0012.9214.0826.9712.8214.1526.9612.7514.2135-3929.2014.0015.2029.1913.9915.2028.9113.8615.0528.4713.6514.8228.0213.4314.5940-4426.4012.7013.7026.9012.9113.9927.5913.2114.3828.3213.5314.7928.9213.7915.1345-4925.1012.1013.0025.5212.3113.2125.6812.3813.3025.7112.3713.3425.8112.3913.4250-5419.409.1010.3020.529.6610.8621.6810.2611.4222.7810.8411.9423.7111.3312.3855-5913.806.507.3014.616.857.7615.487.228.2616.437.638.8017.458.099.3660-6410.204.805.4010.564.965.6010.995.155.8411.505.376.1312.115.636.4865-698.203.704.508.343.774.578.463.844.628.593.924.678.784.024.7670-745.902.603.306.102.683.426.292.753.546.462.823.646.612.883.7375-793.601.502.103.651.542.113.781.602.183.971.682.294.171.762.41 80+3.901.402.503.941.432.513.951.452.503.951.472.483.961.492.47Median
Age292930302931302931302931313032Percent0-48.769.058.498.438.718.178.128.417.857.858.137.587.587.877.315-1418.0118.5717.4817.8418.3517.3617.6718.1517.2317.5017.9417.0917.3317.7516.9415-4954.7454.9954.5054.6554.9654.3754.5154.8454.2054.3154.6753.9854.1154.4853.7615-6467.0866.9867.1867.5267.4567.5967.9467.8967.9868.3168.2868.3468.6668.6468.6865 And Over6.155.416.846.215.486.886.275.566.946.345.656.996.435.747.07Figures may be off due to roundingSource: The Bahamas Population Projection Report - Census Section, BNSI 23 PROJECTED MID-YEAR POPULATION BY AGE-GROUP AND SEX: 2015 - 2019ASSUMPTION B (MEDIUM)TABLE 5.3 Cont'd ALL BAHAMAS('000)20152016201720182019AGE-GROUPTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleALL AGES369.67178.53191.14373.48180.28193.20377.36182.30195.06381.32184.38196.94385.34186.48198.86
0-4 27.1213.6113.5127.5713.8613.7128.0114.2013.8128.5314.5613.9729.0614.9114.15 5-9 31.4515.5615.8930.5515.1315.4229.7314.8014.9329.0114.5314.4828.3614.2914.0710-1432.0415.8316.2132.0115.7816.2331.9615.7616.2031.9215.7716.1531.9015.8016.1015-1931.9015.8916.0131.9415.8716.0732.0015.8616.1432.0615.8616.2032.0915.8616.2320-2430.9415.5815.3631.4015.8015.6031.6215.8615.7631.6715.8315.8431.6515.7615.8925-2926.5213.0913.4327.1613.4913.6728.0514.0014.0529.0714.5514.5230.0215.0414.9830-3426.8812.6914.1926.7512.6514.1026.5812.7013.8826.4512.7913.6626.4912.9613.5335-3927.6713.2314.4427.4813.0814.4027.4013.0214.3827.4012.9914.4127.3912.9814.4140-4429.2513.9315.3229.2513.9215.3329.0113.8315.1828.5813.6614.9228.1613.4914.6745-4926.0712.4913.5826.5812.7013.8827.2813.0114.2728.0313.3514.6828.6513.6315.0250-5424.4111.6912.7224.8211.9012.9224.9911.9613.0325.0311.9513.0825.1411.9713.1755-5918.498.589.9119.589.1110.4720.709.6711.0321.7710.2111.5622.6710.6712.0060-6412.795.926.8713.566.247.3214.406.587.8215.316.968.3516.277.378.9065-699.054.154.909.384.295.099.794.465.3310.264.655.6110.824.875.9570-746.752.943.816.873.003.876.993.063.937.123.124.007.293.204.0975-794.341.832.514.501.892.614.661.942.724.791.982.814.912.022.89 80+4.001.522.484.081.572.514.191.592.604.321.622.704.471.662.81Median
Age313032313032313032323033323133Percent0-47.347.627.077.387.697.107.427.797.087.487.907.097.548.007.125-1417.1717.5816.7916.7517.1516.3816.3516.7615.9615.9816.4315.5515.6416.1415.1715-4953.8954.2853.5453.7054.0953.3453.5153.9153.1453.3053.7152.9253.0653.4752.6715-6468.9668.9568.9769.2269.2069.2369.4469.3969.4969.5969.5069.9869.6969.5769.8065 And Over6.535.857.176.655.967.296.796.067.476.956.177.687.136.307.92Figures may be off due to roundingSource: The Bahamas Population Projection Report - Census Section, BNSI 24 PROJECTED MID-YEAR POPULATION BY AGE-GROUP AND SEX: 2020 - 2024ASSUMPTION B (MEDIUM)TABLE 5.3 Cont'd ALL BAHAMAS('000)20202021202220232024AGE-GROUPTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleALL
AGES389.41188.61200.8393.45190.73202.72397.36192.6204.76401.25194.46206.79405.1196.43208.68 0-4 29.5515.2414.3130.0215.5214.5030.3415.6014.7430.6315.6914.9430.8615.7815.08 5-9 27.7414.0513.6928.1614.3313.8328.5714.6013.9729.0414.8814.1629.5015.1814.3210-1431.9415.8816.0631.0215.4915.5330.1815.1315.0529.4314.8014.6328.7314.5114.2215-1932.1015.8516.2532.0915.8416.2532.0515.8316.2231.9915.8216.1731.9615.8316.1320-2431.6715.7215.9531.7215.7016.0231.7915.7116.0831.8615.7316.1331.9115.7416.1725-2930.7515.4015.3531.2015.6015.6031.4615.6815.7831.5315.6615.8731.5315.6215.9130-3426.8013.2413.5627.4213.6613.7628.2814.1114.1729.2814.6114.6730.2315.1115.1235-3927.3312.9914.3427.2213.0214.2027.0213.0114.0126.8713.0513.8226.8813.1913.6940-4427.8413.3514.4927.6613.2614.4027.5813.1814.4027.5513.1214.4327.5313.0914.4445-4928.9913.7915.2029.0213.8115.2128.7713.7215.0528.3513.5514.8027.9313.3714.5650-5425.4312.0813.3525.9412.3013.6426.6512.6214.0327.4012.9614.4428.0013.2314.7755-5923.3711.0212.3523.7811.2112.5723.9611.2912.6724.0211.3012.7224.1511.3412.8160-6417.277.829.4518.318.3110.0019.388.8410.5420.419.3611.0521.289.8011.4865-6911.455.126.3312.175.416.7612.955.737.2213.796.077.7214.686.458.2370-747.533.304.237.823.424.408.183.574.618.603.744.869.093.935.1675-795.032.062.975.132.103.035.242.163.085.352.223.135.502.293.21 80+4.621.702.924.771.743.034.961.823.145.151.903.255.331.963.37Median
Age323133323133333134333234333234Percent0-47.598.087.137.638.147.157.648.107.207.638.077.227.628.037.235-1415.3315.8714.8215.0415.6314.4814.7915.4414.1714.5715.2613.9214.3715.1113.6815-4952.7753.2052.3652.4452.9052.0152.0852.5651.6351.7052.2251.2151.3451.9050.8115-6469.7369.5969.8769.7369.5869.8769.6969.5769.8169.6069.5169.6869.4669.4069.5265 And Over7.356.468.197.606.648.497.886.908.828.207.169.178.547.459.57Figures may be off due to roundingSource: The Bahamas Population Projection Report - Census Section, BNSI 25 PROJECTED MID-YEAR POPULATION BY AGE-GROUP AND SEX: 2025 - 2029ASSUMPTION B (MEDIUM)TABLE 5.3 Cont'd ALL
 BAHAMAS('000)20252026202720282029AGE-GROUPTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleALL AGES408.93198.38210.55412.69200.3212.39416.39202.19214.2420.02204.05215.97423.58205.87217.71 0-4 31.0515.8815.1731.2115.9415.2731.3616.0615.3031.4916.1515.3431.6016.2015.40 5-9 29.9915.4814.5130.3915.7114.6830.7315.8314.9031.0115.9315.0831.2316.0215.2110-1428.0714.2313.8428.4714.4813.9928.8814.7714.1129.3415.0814.2629.7915.3714.4215-1931.9915.8916.1031.0715.4915.5830.2315.1415.0929.4714.8214.6528.7814.5414.2420-2431.9315.7416.1931.9215.7316.1931.8915.7216.1731.8315.7116.1231.8015.7216.0825-2931.5415.5815.9631.6015.5816.0231.6615.5816.0831.7315.5916.1431.7815.6016.1830-3430.9615.4715.4931.4215.6915.7331.6615.7715.8931.7215.7615.9631.7315.7216.0135-3927.1713.4513.7227.7613.8313.9328.6214.3214.3029.6314.8614.7730.5815.3515.2340-4427.4713.0814.3927.3213.0714.2527.1413.0914.0527.0013.1613.8427.0213.3113.7145-4927.6013.2214.3827.4213.1214.3027.3513.0514.3027.3413.0114.3327.3312.9914.3450-5428.3513.3914.9628.3713.4114.9628.1413.3214.8227.7413.1614.5827.3312.9914.3455-5924.4411.4512.9924.9611.6813.2825.6511.9813.6726.3912.3114.0826.9812.5714.4160-6421.9410.1311.8122.3410.3212.0222.5310.4012.1322.6010.4112.1922.7410.4512.2965-6915.596.858.7416.567.309.2617.547.779.7718.488.2310.2519.288.6310.6570-749.654.155.5010.274.395.8810.944.656.2911.674.946.7312.445.257.1975-795.692.373.325.932.473.466.222.583.646.542.703.846.932.854.08
80+5.502.023.485.682.093.595.852.163.696.042.233.816.242.313.93Median Age333234333235343335343335343335Percent0-47.598.007.207.567.967.197.537.947.147.507.917.107.467.877.075-1414.2014.9813.4614.2615.0713.5014.3215.1313.5414.3715.2013.5914.4115.2513.6115-4951.0351.6350.4550.5251.1849.9150.0950.7849.9349.6950.4348.9949.3550.1448.5915-6469.3069.2669.3468.8668.8668.8668.4168.4468.3967.9668.0267.9167.5467.6367.4465 And Over8.917.769.999.318.1110.459.748.4910.9210.178.8711.4010.609.2511.87Figures may be off due to roundingSource: The
 Bahamas Population Projection Report - Census Section, BNSI 26 ASSUMPTION B (MEDIUM)TABLE 5.3 Cont'd ALL BAHAMAS('000)20302031203220332034AGE-GROUPTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleALL AGES427.06207.66219.4430.4209.38221.02433.52210.94222.58436.51212.44224.07439.39213.88225.51 0-4 31.6516.2215.4331.6116.2015.4131.5616.1515.4131.4316.0715.3631.3115.9915.32 5-9
5-9 31.4016.1015.3031.5516.1715.3831.6816.2515.4331.7816.3115.4731.8516.3315.5210-1430.2615.6514.6130.6815.9014.7830.9915.9915.0031.2516.0715.1831.4516.1415.3115-1928.1214.2613.8628.5114.5014.0128.9214.7914.1329.3715.0914.2829.8315.3814.4520-2431.8415.7916.0530.9215.3915.5330.1015.0515.0529.3514.7414.6128.6614.4614.2025-2931.8015.6016.2031.8115.6016.2131.7715.5916.1831.7315.5916.1431.7215.6216.1030-3431.7515.6916.0631.8015.6816.1231.8415.6616.1831.8915.6516.2431.9215.6416.2835-3931.3215.7215.6031.7815.9415.8432.0016.0016.0032.0315.9616.0732.0015.8816.1240-4427.3113.5713.7427.9013.9513.9528.7514.4214.3329.7414.9414.8030.6615.4115.2545-4927.2712.9814.2927.1412.9814.1626.9513.0013.9526.8113.0613.7526.8313.2013.6350-5427.0212.8514.1726.8612.7614.1026.8012.7114.0926.8112.6814.1326.8012.6614.1455-5927.3212.7314.5927.3512.7514.6027.1412.6814.4626.7712.5414.2326.3912.3914.0060-6423.0310.5712.4623.5410.7912.7524.2211.0913.1324.9311.4013.5325.5111.6613.8565-6919.908.9310.9720.279.1011.1720.449.1711.2720.549.2011.3420.689.2511.4370-7413.235.597.6414.075.978.1014.926.378.5515.736.768.9716.427.099.3375-797.373.014.367.873.204.678.403.405.008.993.635.369.593.875.72 80+6.472.404.076.742.504.247.042.624.427.392.764.637.772.914.86Median
Age343336353336353436353436353437Percent0-47.417.817.037.347.746.977.287.666.927.207.566.867.137.486.795-1414.4415.2913.6314.4615.3213.6514.4615.2813.6714.4415.2413.6814.4115.1813.6715-4949.0449.8948.2248.7649.6947.8848.5249.5447.5448.3249.4447.2648.1649.3747.0215-6467.1567.3067.0166.8267.0366.6366.5566.8466.2766.3166.6865.9566.0766.5365.6465 And
And Over11.009.6012.3211.379.9212.7511.7210.2213.1412.0610.5213.5212.3910.8113.90Figures may be off due to roundingSource: The Bahamas Population Projection Report - Census Section, BNSIPROJECTED MID-YEAR POPULATION BY AGE-GROUP AND SEX: 2030 - 2034 27 TABLE 5.3 Cont'd ALL BAHAMAS('000)20352036203720382039AGE-GROUPTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleALL AGES442.14215.27226.87444.78216.61228.17447.28217.88229.4449.66219.1230.56451.92220.27231.65 0-4 31.1215.8915.2331.0115.8215.1930.8815.7615.1230.7515.6915.0630.6415.6315.01 5-9
5-9 31.8716.3315.5431.8416.3015.5431.7616.2515.5131.6316.1615.4731.5116.0815.4310-1431.6016.2015.4031.7216.2415.4831.8516.3215.5331.9416.3815.5632.0016.4015.6015-1930.2915.6614.6330.6915.8914.8031.0015.9815.0231.2616.0615.2031.4516.1315.3220-2428.0114.1913.8228.4014.4313.9728.8214.7314.0929.2715.0314.2429.7315.3214.4125-2931.7615.6916.0730.8515.3015.5530.0314.9615.0729.2914.6614.6328.6014.3814.2230-3431.9515.6416.3131.9415.6316.3131.9215.6316.2931.8815.6316.2531.8715.6616.2135-3931.9915.8216.1732.0215.7816.2432.0615.7616.3032.1115.7516.3632.1515.7516.4040-4431.3715.7515.6231.8015.9415.8632.0216.0016.0232.0715.9716.1032.0415.8916.1545-4927.1113.4513.6627.6913.8213.8728.5314.2914.2429.5114.8014.7130.4415.2715.1750-5426.7612.6614.1026.6312.6613.9726.4512.6813.7726.3212.7513.5726.3412.8913.4555-5926.1112.2713.8425.9712.2013.7725.9312.1513.7825.9412.1313.8125.9512.1213.8360-6425.8411.8114.0325.9011.8514.0525.7111.7913.9225.3711.6713.7025.0211.5413.4865-6920.989.3711.6121.469.5811.8822.109.8512.2522.7610.1412.6223.3110.3812.9370-7416.957.349.6117.287.499.7917.457.569.8917.557.599.9617.707.6510.0575-7910.224.136.0910.884.426.4611.554.726.8312.205.027.1812.745.277.47 80+8.213.075.148.703.265.449.223.455.779.813.676.1410.433.916.52Median
Age363437363537363537363538373538Percent0-47.047.386.716.977.306.666.907.236.596.847.166.536.787.106.485-1414.3615.1113.6414.2915.0213.6014.2214.9513.5314.1414.8513.4614.0514.7513.4015-4948.0649.3346.8547.9849.3046.7247.9349.2746.6647.9049.2546.6247.8649.2146.5715-6465.8666.4065.3565.6366.2565.0365.3966.0864.7365.1665.9364.4464.9765.8164.1765 And Over12.7511.1114.3013.1111.4314.7113.4911.7415.1413.8612.0615.5714.2012.3515.96Figures may be off due to roundingSource: The Bahamas Population Projection Report - Census Section, BNSIPROJECTED MID-YEAR POPULATION BY AGE-GROUP AND SEX: 2035 - 2039ASSUMPTION B (MEDIUM) 28 TABLE 5.3 Cont'd ALL BAHAMAS ('000)2040AGE-GROUPTotalMaleFemaleALL AGES454.06221.38232.68 0-4 30.5315.5814.95 5-9 31.3415.9815.3610-1432.0316.4015.6315-1931.6116.1915.4220-2430.1815.5914.5925-2927.9514.1113.8430-3431.9115.7316.1835-3932.1815.7516.4340-4432.0415.8416.2045-4931.1415.6115.5350-5426.6213.1413.4855-5925.9212.1313.7960-6424.7611.4313.3365-6923.6310.5213.1170-7417.987.7610.2275-7913.165.467.70 80+11.084.166.92Median Age373538Percent0-46.727.046.435-1413.9614.6313.3215-4947.7949.1646.5015-6464.8265.7363.9565 And Over14.5012.6016.31Figures may be off due to roundingSource: The Bahamas Population Projection Report - Census Section, BNSI ASSUMPTION B (MEDIUM)PROJECTED MID-YEAR POPULATION BYAGE-GROUP AND SEX: 2040 29 Table 5.4TOTALOWNEDRENTEDRENT FREEOTHERNew Providence100%59%36%4%1%Grand Bahama100%66%30%3%0%Abaco100%60%26%3%10%Andros and Eleuthera100%68%24%6%1%Exuma and Long
 Island100%62%24%10%4%Other Family Islands100%65%29%5%1%ALL BAHAMAS100%61%34%4%1%Source: Household Expenditure Survey 2013 - HES Section, BNSIPERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLDS BY ISLAND & TYPE OF TENURE: 2013ISLANDTYPE OF TENURE 30 Table 5.501234 OR MORE1 PERSON100%2%35%32%26%5%2 PERSONS100%1%22%39%29%8%3 - 4 PERSONS100%0%9%34%39%17%5 - 6 PERSONS100%0%2%30%42%25%7 OR MORE PERSONS100%0%2%14%43%41%TOTAL100%1%15%33%35%16%Source: Household Expenditure Survey 2013 - HES Section, BNSIHOUSEHOLD SIZETOTALNUMBER OF
 BEDROOMSPERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF PRIVATE DWELLINGS BY HOUSEHOLD SIZE & NUMBER OF BEDROOMS: 2013 31 Table 5.6COOKING FUEL PERCENTAGEGas80%Electricity19%Other1%100%Source: Household Expenditure Survey 2013 - HES Section, BNSITotalPERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE OF COOKING FUEL: 2013 32 Table 5.7COOKING FUEL PERCENTAGEElectricity98%Other2%TOTAL 100%Source: Bahamas National Statistical Institute, Household Expenditure Survey, 2013PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE OF LIGHTING: 2013 33 Table 5.8TYPE OF TOILET FACILITIESTOTALPUBLIC PIPED INTO DWELLING OR YARD PRIVATE PIPED INTO DWELLINGOTHERFlush Toilet Linked to Public Sewerage System100%74%22%4%Flush Toilet with Cesspit or Septic Tank100%58%36%7%Other100%7%11%82%TOTAL100%61%32%8%Source: Bahamas National Statistical Institute, Household Expenditure Survey, 2013AND MAIN SOURCE OF WATER SUPPLY: 2013PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF PRIVATE DWELLINGS BY TYPE OF TOILET FACILITIES THE WATER AND SEWERAGE CORPORATION New Providence supports about 70 percent of the population of The Bahamas, so most of the water needs for The Bahamas have historically been met predominantly for the island of New Providence, where government agencies have traditionally overseen the management and distribution of water.
There, the central government has set up an extensive, well-planned infrastructure to handle sewage disposal, sewage sanitation, and distribution of water.

It has also set up a system of reusing chemically cleaned and purified sewage water as part of the overall plan to meet the water consumption needs of all the country.
After decades of escalating needs for increased water supplies, on July 14, 1976, the Water & Sewerage Corporation (W&SC) was created by the Government to manage the water supply of The Bahamas.

It was a time of severe water rationing and increasing demand for a stable, reliable water supply.
The new corporation was tasked with managing and developing the water supply to meet the present and future needs of, initially, New Providence (having the heaviest concentration of both population and businesses) and North Andros.

In 1989, the W&SC officially also undertook the responsibility for the control, protection, and use of the water supply throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Additionally to help meet the growing demand, barging was introduced as an innovative means of providing water in New Providence from well fields in Andros.

Over the years, W&SC has greatly improved water quality and distribution systems throughout the islands, implementing a number of successful water industry development programs valued at $110 million.
During this time, the output of quality water has gone from about 1 million gallons per day in 1976 to about 16 million gallons per day in 2012 throughout the Commonwealth.

The Water and Sewerage Corporation Historical Timeline In 2015 the Corporation saved an additional 1.5 billion gallons of water through further reduction of water losses in New Providence bringing total savings under the project to over 2.5 billion gallons in three years of implementation.
The Caribbean Development Bank approved a $29Mn 34 loan as part of a $41Mn program to address water needs in Family Islands: (South) Andros, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Long Island, San Salvador, and New Providence (Pinewood Gardens, Coral Lakes/Boatswain).

Water and sanitation infrastructure still faces some significant problems that are being addressed through critical interventions.
Clearly necessary for public health, adequate infrastructure is also vital for the economy, it is difficult to imagine the tourism sector thriving without access to clean, safe water.

Yet, many households and businesses do not rely on this government utility, The Water and Sewerage Corporation.

A further critical issue is that years of inadequate maintenance have left the system with an extremely high water loss rate – as high as 58% in previous years.
Non-revenue water losses are the target of recent investments.

W&SC has limited sewer services, with about 15 to 20% coverage on New Providence an almost none on the Family Islands.

The facilities are old and usually provide very minimal treatment.

Most households depend on septic tanks for the handling of their wastewater.

Additionally, there are important links between a well maintained water supply system and public health.
Water supply disruptions combined with poor water quality can give rise to sanitation problems, creating conditions suitable for disease transmission including listerosis and e-coli.

For this reason, the use of a disease early warning system can assist in early detection.
Source: www.wsc.com.bs www.climatecha ngepolicy.qxp CARIBSAVE Climate Change Risk Profile for the Bahamas March 2012 35 36 Table 6.11,214,5671,432,5571,536,9171,525,7591,527,693519,755415,564476,824555,345679,435349,835355,434347,945315,596320,105TOTAL2,084,1572,203,5552,361,6862,396,7002,527,233 Source: Water & Sewerage WATER DISTRIBUTION20182019NEW PROVIDENCE: 2015 - 2019NON- RESIDENTIALGOVERNMENTCUSTOMER CLASSRESIDENTIALUnit: IMP Gallons201620172015 NATIONAL ACCOUNTS The System of National Accounts (SNA) 2008: consists of a coherent, consistent integrated set of macroeconomic accounts; balance sheets and tables based on a set of internationally agreed concepts, definitions, classifications and accounting rules.
It provides a comprehensive accounting framework within which economic data can be compiled and presented in a format that is designed for purposes of economic analysis, decision-taking and policy-making.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): This is the sum of the remuneration of all Bahamian factors of production - labour, capital and land - employed in the creation of the unduplicated total output of the Bahamian economy in the Bahamas.

It also includes net indirect taxes i.e.

indirect taxes less subsidies.


When such net indirect taxes are excluded from the total, it is known as GDP at factor cost.

Gross National Product (GNP): Either at market prices or factor cost differs from the domestic product by including the income of Bahamian capital earned abroad and excluding the contribution of foreign capital to the Bahamian economy.

These contributions are represented by interest and dividend receipts and payments to and from abroad (System of National Accounts 2008).
National Accounts The National Accounts Series of the Bahamas has been revised to incorporate changes that resulted from the 2012 Supply and Use Tables (SUT).

As a result the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Current figures for 2016 is $11,262 Million (B$) a 27% increase over the previously published figures.

The Per Capita GDP for 2016 is $30,154.

The Real GDP for the Bahamas for 2016 is $10,221 Million (B$).
The Gross National Product (GNP) in current prices is 10,861 Million (B$), therefore the Per Capita GNP for the Bahamas in 2016 is $29,080.

Additionally, the National Income of the Bahamas between 2012 and 2016 grew by 3%.
37 38 Table 7.1(B$ Millions)LINEITEM2015 R2016 R2017 R2018 R2019 RGross Domestic Product at Current Market Prices 11,861.8611,834.5612,357.6312,755.7713,192.76Net Property & Entrepreneurial Income from/to the Rest of theWorld (Private Int & dividends, Official trans)-294.97-401.03-321.94-653.33-484.52Net Compensation of Employees w/Rest of World-199.88-154.97-223.59-181.78-137.66GROSS NATIONAL INCOME11,367.0211,278.5611,812.1011,920.6612,570.58Net Current Transfers from/to the Rest of the World (including Workers Remittances, Oth Transfers, Govt Transfers)-94.31315.08-55.18-68.60846.25GROSS NATIONAL DISPOSABLE INCOME11,272.7111,593.6511,756.9211,852.0613,416.83Final Consumption Expenditure8,956.799,064.929,837.729,999.919,851.83GROSS SAVING2,315.922,528.731,919.201,852.143,564.99Net Capital Transfers (migrants transfers)-20.15-13.78-26.12-20.66-20.15Gross Capital Formation2,916.003,091.233,427.983,366.753,479.60NET LENDING/NET BORROWING-620.23-576.28-1,534.90-1,535.2665.24Source: National Accounts Repot 2019 - National Accounts Section, BNSIR: Revised P: Preliminary89101134567GROSS & NET NATIONAL INCOME, GROSS NATIONAL DISPOSABLE INCOMEGROSS SAVINGS, NET LENDING/BORROWINGAT CURRENT MARKET PRICES: 2015 - 201912 TRANSPORTATION The Bahamas is an island nation that relies on automobiles as a primary mode of transportation.
In the past ten years the number of registered vehicles has proliferated.

Registered motor vehicles increased from 87,313 in 1999 to 124,504 in 2008 for New Providence alone.

As the number of vehicles increases so will the level of carbon emissions.

New Providence Island is 7 miles by 21 miles and traffic congestion remains a problem as more and more vehicles are added to the existing stock on an annual basis.
Plane Inter-island transportation is usually done by air, especially on the national carrier Bahamasair, which flies regular routes between Nassau and the Family Islands, while smaller, Nassau-based carriers offer air charter services to the Family Islands and other destinations.

Many hotels and resorts have their own charter services to bring passengers from Florida and elsewhere.
Bahamasair flies from Nassau to about two dozen airports in the Bahamas and surrounding areas, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando.

Bahamasair was established in 1973 as a product of a newly established Independent Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

The mandate was to provide a safe and reliable mode of air transportation throughout the archipelagic nation and internationally.
The National Flag carrier purpose was to provide an ‘Essential Service’ bridging Nassau, the nation’s capital and the remote Family of Islands.

Taxi Taxi stands are conveniently located at the airport, the docks and most hotels.

Taxi service is also available by telephone or on the street.

Taxi rates in Nassau & Paradise Island are zoned, or can also be metered.

Metered rates are reasonable and are fixed by law.


Buses Public buses or "jitneys," as we like to call them, are generally 32-seaters and travel to many parts of the island.

They operate from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily, except on Sundays when there is 39 reduced service.

The fare ranges from $1.25 per person to $3.50 for out-of-town zones.

Exact fare is required.

Tour Buses Tour buses are privately owned forms of transportation in The Bahamas.
There are a number of companies who offer a variety of transportation services.

Water Taxi Water taxis provide short service between Nassau and Paradise Island and are common throughout the Family Islands.

Inter-island mail boats depart from Nassau and run weekly roundtrip to and from all islands.
Source: www.bahamas.com 40 41 Table 8.1ORIGIN20152016201720182019Domestic361,810364,685391,412400,410421,221United States of America1,077,2421,098,1141,091,3351,235,9231,408,789Other International 190,167182,337179,172210,240222,327TOTAL1,629,2191,645,1361,661,9191,846,5732,052,337Source: Nassau Airport Development Company THE NUMBER OF AIRLINE PASSENGERS BY ORIGIN & YEAR: 2015 - 2019 42 Table 8.2Mail Boats202025N/AN/ALocal Freighters586657637N/AN/AYachts from foreign port (Nassau)2,3423,5052,4953,1983,275Source: Port DepartmentN/A - not available TOTAL SEA TRANSPORTATION BY TYPE: 2015 - 2019201820192017TYPE OF TRANSPORTATION20152016 43 Table 8.3New Providence Grand BahamaNew Providence Grand BahamaNew Providence Grand BahamaGeneral Driver82,05619,39371,46120,76385,61522,095Learners Permit6,9381,2686,8421,4956,9841,442Public Transportation Service2,4654152,5424822,408503Total91,45921,07680,84522,74095,00724,040Source: Road Traffic Department2019NEW PROVIDENCE & GRAND BAHAMA: 2017 - 2019DRIVER'S LICENSE BY TYPEType20172018 44 Table 8.4TYPE201720182019Private Cars129,024162,111183,007Tour Cars 627581Livery Cars121156197Private Motorcycles8001,2161,457Jitney & Public Schedule Buses 530639726Private Charter Buses 9099107Taxicabs8651,1431,393Bicycle283340Government Owned Vehicles 9621,1651,451Government Owned Motorcycles 406571Government Miscellaneous Vehicles333939Self Drive Vehicles 2,4793,8205,246Bonded Vehicles 2,2782,6252,916Private Miscellaneous Vehicles22,87927,28529,167Corps Diplomatic (CD)344353Honorary
 Council (CD) 202121Total160,245200,535225,972Source: Road Traffic DepartmentNote: Government miscellaneous includes: heavy equipment & golf carts Privet miscellaneous includes: heavy equipment & golf carts REGISTERED VEHICLES BY PLATE TYPEALL BAHAMAS: 2017 - 2019 Government owned vehicles includes: judiciary, prime minister, cabinet minister & ministerial cars ENERGY Bahamas Power & Light, formerly (BEC), has expanded its operations throughout The Bahamas over the years, supplying power in San Salvador, North Andros, North Bimini and Great Exuma in 1973.The following year, operations were further extended to include Central Andros and Cooper's Town (Abaco) and in 1975 Great Harbor Cay.
In the decade of the 1990's (BEC), embarked on a second Family Island thrust, costing $50 million, designed to electrify rural areas and to expand the electrical infrastructure on other islands in response to economic growth.

Ragged Island, Black Point in the Exuma Cays, Mayaguana, and Southern Long Island were electrified for the first time.
Between 1994 and 1996 additional generators were installed at the power station at San Salvador, (Marsh Harbour) Abaco, Bimini, and (Rock Sound and Hatchet Bay) Eleuthera.

In addition, improvements were made to the infrastructure in all island service areas.
Accomplishments since 2000 include construction of a new 8.8 MW Power Station in Exuma, upgrading of generation and transmission plants in Abaco, including the commencement of replacement of old submarine cables connecting the Cays, installation of a new circuit to supply the new development in Winding Bay, new generators and distribution circuits at Emerald Bay in Exuma, replacement of diesel engine generators at Harbour Island and Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, and plant upgrade in Bimini and Harbor Island.
Source: www.bahamaselectricity.com 45 46 Table 9.1(Billions)Consumption by Fuel Type20152016201720182019Diesel (000bbls)2,3432,5132,5342,6873,183Oil (000s bbls)a733685620626307Total( 000sbbls)3,0763,1983,1543,3133,490Generation (GWH)20152016201720182019New Providence1,4211,4841,2721,3351,356Family Island335286287297312Total1,7561,7701,5591,6321,668Number of Customers20152016201720182019NP & FI Customers108,026108,127108,279109,963113,438Source: Bahamas Power & LightNote: a Energy consumed by Bahamas Power & LightThe primary authority of energy in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas Electricity Corporation however, there are also some smaller private providers.
a: NP - New Providence and FI = Family Islands ENERGY CONSUMPTION(a): 2015 - 2019 47 Table 9.2HSCODE2015201620172018201927101910 Other Diesel OilQuantity12,717,748947,8121,466,58927,340,470212,651,104Value197,387,060134,213,498183,339,087129,303,965257,782,88327101930Other Bunker oilQuantity9,169,6001,158,4232,418,08229,114,16242,289,938Value157,852,281156,535,280240,263,334332,320,337363,508,72327101240Motor gasoline(Unleaded)Quantity301503759341Value2,05416,4445,4654,68330,17327101940Other Fuel OilsQuantity695,151230,425553,157475,1483,733,057Value28,576,71716,279,86637,036,35339,515,24236,883,086IMPORTED FUELS BY TYPE,Source: External Trade Section, BNSIQUANTITY AND VALUE: 2015 - 2019 HEALTH The Department of Environment Health Services which falls under the Ministry of Health is the primary authority of all environmental health matters in the Bahamas.
Both the public and the private medical sector offer a large variety of facilities and services.

The funding of the healthcare system in the country is handled by the Government of The Bahamas.

Primary health care is free of charge to all civil servants, pregnant women, children, and people ages 60 years and above.

Health clinics in the smaller islands of the Bahamas are generally open only one or two days a week.
Due to the relatively small population of people living in the smaller islands of the country, some islands have formed their own emergency response service to provide treatment and if needed, transfer patients to the nearest hospital.

The health and wellness of the family remains a major policy agenda in the Bahamas.

The government also monitors the economic stability of families annually.
According to the latest data from the World Bank Report 2012, total health care spending in the Bahamas accounted for 7.5% of the Gross National Product (World Bank Report, 2012).

The 2013 Household Expenditure Survey also revealed that at least 16.9% of the population visited a health practitioner for outpatient care.

As expected, the survey showed that women visited medical facilities more frequently (and spend more money on medical visits) than men.
Studies have shown that as expenditure levels increases, the probability of visiting a medical facility also increases.

This indicates the relative importance the Government has assigned to providing health care.

Environmental Diseases It has been proven that environmental risk factors such as air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposures, climate change, and ultraviolet radiation contribute too many environmental diseases and injuries.
The burden of disease in the developing world seems easily remedied by making desired treatments and vaccinations more readily available.

While these certainly play an important 48 role in eradicating many illnesses, especially in developing countries, it is important to know the Bahamas is no exception.Some other risk factors contributing to environmental diseases are vector-borne diseases.
Vector-borne diseases are human illnesses caused by parasites, viruses and bacteria that are transmitted by mosquitoes, sandflies, triatomine bugs, blackflies, ticks, tsetse flies, mites, snails and lice.

These major vector-borne diseases, together, account for around 17% of all infectious diseases.

The burden of these diseases is highest in tropical and subtropical areas and they disproportionately affect the poorest populations.
Vector-borne diseases rarely represent a health and an economic threat to the Bahamas.

Dengue, malaria, and yellow fever are also not endemic to the country.

The responsibility for vector control is shared between the Ministry of Health and the Department of Environmental Health Services.

In the Bahamas, vector control programs have always focused primarily on eradication and control of the Aedes aegypti and anopheles mosquitoes.
The vector control strategies employed included aquatic weed control, aerosol pesticide, larvaciding, education, and training and other social marketing initiatives.

Additionally, there are important links between a well maintained water supply system and public health.

Water supply disruptions combined with poor water quality can give rise to sanitation problems, creating conditions suitable for disease transmission including food borne diseases such as cholera, salmonellosis, listerosis and e-coli.
For this reason, the use of a disease early warning system can assist in early detection of these diseases.

Since this kind of system is dependent on individuals understanding the signs and risk factors for specific diseases of concern, an awareness building campaign is recommended in conjunction with the warning system.

Source: www.internations.org/.../healthcare-in-the-bahamas CARIBSAVE Climate Change Risk Profile for the Bahamas March 2012 49 50 Table 10.1CAUSESex200820092010201120121.
GastroenteritisFemale.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.

Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.< 5 Years1,6121,8401,8111,4581,187>=5 Years3,4404,1714,0643,2092,785 Total5,0526,0115,8754,6673,9722.

TyphoidFemale10000Male00000Total100003.

MalariaFemale….

.

.120Male……042Imported24161Indigenous120001Introduced140000Total2841624.

DengueFemale0071672Male0132072 Total0110*37445.

CholeraFemale00001Male00010 Total000116.

ChikungunyaFemale.

.

.0000Male.

.

.0000Total.

.

.00006.

ZikaFemale.

.

.0000Male.

.


.0000Total.

.

.00006.

Accidental pesticide Female….

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.

(Toxic Effect)1Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.7.

Poisoning2Female.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.8.

DiarrheaFemale.

.

.……….

.

.Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.9.

Respiratory Female.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.

DiseasesMale.

.


.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.NUMBER OF REPORTED CASES AND INCIDENCES OF ENVIRONMENTALLY RELATED DISEASES: 2008 - 2012aa 51 Table 10.1 Cont'dCAUSESex20082009201020112012 i.

Acute bronchitis3Female.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.

ii.

Chronic Female.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.

Sinusitis4Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.

Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .


.

iii.

Other (Asthma)5Female.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.10.

Foodborne Female………… IllnessesMale…………Total75851445345166911.

LeptospirosisFemale.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.1Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.1Total7000212.

SalmonellosisFemale.

.

.. .

.. .

.…4Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.…3Total12143422713.

ShigellosisFemale.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.1Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.1Total61265214.


AmoebiasisFemale.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.0Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.0Total190001TOTAL CASES Total5,8836,5556,3695,1524,656NUMBER OF REPORTED CASES AND INCIDENCES OF ENVIRONMENTALLY RELATED DISEASES: 2008 - 2012 52 Table 10.1 Cont'dCAUSESex201320142015201620171.

GastroenteritisFemale.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.

Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.…< 5 Years1,2181,2151,341931856>=5 Years2,7693,0812,6702,8572,380 Total3,9874,2964,0113,7883,2362.
TyphoidFemale00200Male00100Total003003.

MalariaFemale00000Male23000Imported23002Indigenous00000Introduced00000Total230024.

DengueFemale13320Male011100 Total114a4205.

CholeraFemale0000Male0000 Total00006.

ChikungunyaFemale00000Male00000Total000006.

ZikaFemale000160Male00090Total0002506.

Accidental pesticide Female.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.

(Toxic Effect)1Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.7.

Poisoning2Female.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Male.

.

.. .

.. .


.. .

.. .

.Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.8.

DiarrheaFemale.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.9.

Respiratory DiseasesFemale.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.

Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.ENVIRONMENTALLY RELATED DISEASES: 2013 - 2017NUMBER OF REPORTED CASES AND INCIDENCES OF a 53 Table 10.1 Cont'dCAUSESex20132014201520162017 i.
Acute bronchitis3Female.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.

ii.

Chronic sinusitis4Female.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.

Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.

iii.

Other (Asthma)5Female.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Male.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Total.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

.10.

Foodborne Female…………… IllnessesMale……………Total86384360260541911.

LeptospirosisFemale00000Male00020Total0002012.


SalmonellosisFemale10101755Male091466Total101931111113.

ShigellosisFemale17346Male06482Total113712814.
AmoebiasisFemale00000Male00000Total00000TOTAL CASES Total4,8645,1894,6554,4443,677Source: Health Information and Research Unit Notes:* Outbreak in 2011 in Dengue * Outbreak in 2014 in Chikungunya … not available; 1 (ICD-10 T60.0-T60.9;ICD-9 989.3-989.4) 2 (ICD-10 T36-T50;ICD-9 960-979) 3 (ICD-10 J20;ICD-9 490-491.9) 4 (ICD-10 J32;ICD-9 473) 5 (ICD-10 J45-J46)Source: Items 1-5, 10: Department of Public Health; Items 6-9: Public Hospitals Authority - Kean Information System (Princess Margaret Hospital and Rand Memorial Hospital discharge data) NUMBER OF REPORTED CASES AND INCIDENCES OF ENVIRONMENTALLY RELATED DISEASES: 2013 - 2017The Department of Environment Health Services which falls under the Ministry of Health is the primary authority of all environmental health matters in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
The data in Table 7 provides information on the number of reported cases and the the incidence of environmentally related diseases.

Due to the change in reporting format, foodborne illnesses and diarrhoea are now being reported under gastroenteritis as part of syndromic surveillance.

This has resulted in an upward shift in the number of gastroenteritis cases and a decrease in foodborne illnesses.
Most of these numbers are reported from the sentinel site at the Accident and Emergency Department, Princess Margaret Hospital.

NATURAL DISASTERS Natural Disasters are a natural event which overwhelms local capacity, necessitating a request for national or international assistance, or is recognized as such by a multilateral agency, or by at least two sources, such as national, regional or international assistance groups and the media.

There are two types: sudden-impact disasters e.g.


earthquakes; or those that develop gradually, e.g.

drought.

Sudden-Impact disasters include onset date; while Gradually Developing disasters include the date of the first call for national or international assistance.

The Bahamas is most prone to Hurricanes.

The Department of Meteorology records information on all hurricanes whose centers either passed near or through The Bahamas.
This information dates back to the 1850’s and is archived and updated by the Climatology Section of the Department.

The detailed reports include the tracking of the hurricanes, the wind speeds, damages, the estimated costs, and the number of fatalities.

NEMA The National Emergency Management Agency or NEMA was formed in 2006 to assist with disaster preparedness in The Bahamas.

It is a government agency which operates under the authority of Cabinet Office.
Disaster Management is the overall function of this agency.

The country’s Disaster Management Program include:  Mitigation planning  Community preparedness  Public information  Recovery coordination These are administered in accordance with relevant legislation, government policy and public accountability requirements.

Source: https://www.nema-bahamas.info/ 54 55 Table 11.1Item2015201620172019Type of DisasterHurr.Hurr.

Hurr.

Hurr.
Hurr.

Hurr.

Date Started2 Oct5 Oct.8 Sept.1 Sept.Total Number of Casualties1Number of Deaths00074 Number of Injured.

.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.Number of Missing00060Number of Homeless.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Total Population Affected .

.

.300,0003,00068,632Damage (B$ million)2121431129N/ASource: Department of Meteorology 1.

Covers all casualties, as well as others whose basic requirements for food, shelter, sanitation and medical, etc.

were adversely affected.

2.


Estimated value of all damages and economic losses directly related to the occurrence of the given disaster.

The economic impact can be direct (e.g.

damage to infrastructure, crops, housing) or indirect (e.g.

loss of revenues, unemployment, market destabilization).

NATURAL DISASTERS: 2015 - 2019 TOURISM As the primary engine of growth for the nation’s economy, the tourism industry is a vital, dynamic and evolving industry.
With a mature tourism infrastructure supporting approximately 1.5 million stopover visitors and 3.5 million cruise visitors per annum, and a progressive service industry, tourism has become the largest driver of the economic activity in The Bahamas.
Moreover, with recent investments – the Atlantis Phase III, the Baha Mar Development Company in the Cable Beach strip, and any number of projects planned for the Family Islands – the tourism industry is poised for exponential growth and development, creating an untold range of opportunities not only for jobs within and related to the industry, but for entrepreneurial initiatives that will help create sustainable and lasting economic supports for the industry.
There are three classifications of tourists: international, regional and domestic.

An International Tourist is one who visits another country outside his own country.

A Regional Tourist is one traveling in a defined geographical region that is within the Caribbean.

A Domestic Tourist is one traveling within his own country of residence e.g.

Bimini, Abaco, etc.
Bimini, Abaco, etc.

The Advantages of Tourism Tourism provides foreign exchange (US dollars) which allows the government to pay bills such as:  Importation of goods and food  Foreign debt.

Foreign exchange also enables:  The Bahamas dollar to stay on par with the US dollar  Bahamians to go shopping abroad to buy goods and send their children to school abroad, as long as the US dollar is available and floating easily in the Bahamian economy.
 Government to pay the thousands of persons employed as public servants their monthly salaries.

56  Government to have money to do road works, school construction and all other infrastructural activity.

The Cruise Industry in the Bahamas The Bahamas is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world.

With miles of stellar beaches, chic shops, luxurious resorts, quaint towns, and friendly people, it’s easy to see why travelers come from around the globe to experience our islands.
In fact, The Bahamas has one of the highest repeat visitor rates in the entire region.

And with various ports of entry on a number of our islands, cruise passengers will have no problem discovering what makes The Bahamas truly special.

Covering 100,000 square miles of the clearest water in the world, the 700 islands and 2,500 cays that shape The Bahamas create a fabulous destination for sun-seekers, water sports enthusiasts and everyone who appreciates first-class hospitality.
Our many ports of call each offer their own unique experiences for cruise passengers.

From the fast-paced lifestyle of Nassau/Paradise Island to the idyllic solitude of our more remote islands, there’s something for everyone in The Bahamas.

57 58 Table 12.11,496,2431,498,7351,451,8311,632,6141,806,9554,513,4584,690,3744,626,2594,877,5965,433,3592,2042,0211,9952,2272,27177776Source: Immigration Cards and Research and Statistics Dept.
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Notes:All numbers are subject to revision as Immigration cards come in.

Stopover Visitors in this table are based on place of stay and not port of entry.The Islands of the Bahamas receive cruise passangers by 1st, 2nd and 3rd port of entry.

Only 1st port of entry is listed in the above table.
Cruise Calls Average nights spent IndicatorTOURISM STATISTICS: 2015 - 201920172015201620182019Stopover VisitorsCruise visitors (passengers) 59 Table 12.2Country of Origin20152016201720182019USA1,169,2501,182,5181,145,0721,304,5511,473,543CANADA148,522124,922111,039126,444134,501EUROPE102,453109,642116,344121,963119,412CARIBBEAN20,73222,24921,25521,14821,916LATIN AMERICA35,44740,49634,71433,97734,396OTHER19,83918,90823,40724,53123,187TOTAL1,496,2431,498,7351,451,8311,632,6141,806,955Source: Immigration Cards and Research and Statistics Deprtment, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism All numbers are subject to revision as Immigration cards come in.
Stopover Visitors in this table are based on place of stay and not port of entry.STOPOVER VISITORS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: 2015 - 2019 60 Table 12.320152016201720182019AIRLINE1,215,0961,223,1961,174,2011,367,3911,541,412CRUISE SHIP STOPOVERS94,40079,97980,21185,13886,421PRIVATE PLANE75,57683,80781,16972,43477,516YACHT/PRIVATE BOAT 71,67383,61193,91282,40772,705NR/UNK39,49828,14222,33825,24428,901TOTAL1,496,2431,498,7351,451,8311,632,6141,806,955Source: Research & Statistics, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Investments & AviationNote: These persons came by ship, stayed 24 hours.
Or more in the destination, and did not use the ship for accommodations purposes while staying in the Bahamas, i.e.

they were stopovers.NR - Not reported UNK - UnknownSTOPOVERS VISITORS BY MODE OF ARRIVAL: 2015 - 2019